Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Galena, IL
Year Listed: 2004
Dowtown trolley in Galena, Illinois.
Credit: Galena-Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Native Americans called the land around Galena "Manitoomie," which means "Sacred Ground" or "God's Country." They mined rich deposits of lead ore here long before French explorers discovered the mineral treasure in the late 1600s. More than a century later, people from around the world flocked to the area in America's first full-scale mineral rush. As fortunes were amassed, architectural masterpieces dotted Galena, which soon became the busiest Mississippi River port between St. Louis and St. Paul.
But even as local resident Ulysses S. Grant led the Union to victory in the Civil War, the town's fortunes fell. Galena slept like Rip Van Winkle until the 1960s, when the town was rediscovered and its cache of 19th-century treasures was lovingly restored. Notable attractions include the Vinegar Hill Historic Leadmine and Museum, which dates back to 1822. The 1857 mansion of J. Russell Jones is furnished with a diverse collection of Victorian pieces, items from Liberace's estate and the famous green drapes from Gone with The Wind. Children will enjoy nearby Crystal Lake Cave with its stalactites, stalagmites and crystal-clear underground lake. And Civil War buffs shouldn't miss the U.S. Grant Home, presented to the general by his grateful fellow townspeople in 1867.
Submitted by mrbbb at: November 6, 2009
Do not miss the Gallery Theater originaly an art deco movie theater named the Stanly before that it was a store with living space above evidence of which can be seen by the remaining wall paper on the walls above the celing of the theater. Stanly the owner of the theater still haunts the theater . He has been seen in the Crying room ( a space upstairs used by women with babys so not to disterb the other viewers) the Projection Room and on the Stage right entrence to the stage. He strongly dilikes anyone trying to change his Art Deco interiors . Unfortunetly the Lighting fixtures were removed to help finance the reserection of the theater as an equity house in 1976 the fixtures had been made in Paris in 1922 just for the Stanly. The Eagles Nest at the end of Butterfly Lane on the back side of Quality Hill behind the school is a fine specimen of the Fedralist style. The house was built by the Captin of the Steamboat The Eagle as a wedding present to his wife who still haunts the house and is seen on the midlanding of the staircase in the living room . Also check out the Bar of mthe Desota Hotel on Main st. where you never sit alone at the bar.
Submitted by Caroline at: January 18, 2009
Galena was a charming surprise--a short detour as we were driving cross-country. The town itself is full of historic buildings and houses. Pick up a walking tour brochure at the visitors center. Definitely a recommended stop.