The river also occupies a substantial canyon. The City of Galena is located in the unglaciated area of Northwest Illinois. Galena saw its first serious flood, with steamboats floating down Main Street. The short-lived Winnebago Indian uprising in southern Wisconsin sent many miners and farmers to Galena for protection. Galena, city, seat (1827) of Jo Daviess county, northwestern Illinois, U.S. Map View. 1824-The U.S. Government appointed Lieutenant Martin Thomas as mine agent to issue leases and collect royalties for the Federal Leadmine District. Galena’s history began early in America’s quest to explore the West. 1891-The bronze statue of Grant and the Soldier’s Monument was installed in Grant Park. Here are a few of the many highlights in Galena’s past. This left mapmakers in Wisconsin confused…to this day. 1860-Ulysses S. Grant and family arrived in Galena and rented the house at 121 South High Street. The history of the area runs as deep as the ore veins in the mines nearby. “Galena tours is a must have app for tourism and home town history. (Liz Martin/The Gazette) The Galena River flows near the historic district, providing recreational opportunities for kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding, in Galena on … 1690-Frenchman Nicholas Perrot established a trading post on the east side of the Mississippi River opposite the present site of Dubuque, Iowa. Gaslights lined the streets and the Marine Hospital was completed along the Galena River. our history Grace Church is the oldest Episcopal Church in continuous use in the Diocese of Chicago. It enters Illinois in Jo Daviess County to flow through the city of Galena before it joins the upper Mississippi River a few miles south and west. The Customs House, built to register Upper Mississippi steamboat cargoes, was also the new Post Office. Put-in near Galena's Main Street which will offer you plenty of opportunities to explore the river on your own, or to take day excursions offered by a … 1848-Westminister Presbyterian Church was built on South Bench Street. The Stockade was built in Galena and settlers flocked to town. The Koyukon Athabascans had seasonal camps in the area and moved as the wild game migrated. 1847-The government began to sell land in the Lead District to private owners, after more and more miners and smelters circumvented payment of royalties on leased land, thus rendering the leasing system ineffective. Galena’s history began early in America’s quest to explore the West. The river is part of the Driftless Area of Illinois and Wisconsin. His campaign headquarters were located at the DeSoto House. 1890-A lock and dam was built near the mouth of the Galena River, functioning until 1921. 1832-Daniel Smith Harris and his brother, Robert Scribe, began construction on the Jo Daviess, the first steamboat built on the Fever River. The first post office in northern Illinois is established at the corner of Main and Perry Streets. The Illinois Central Railroad Depot was built. Chicago, Illinois 6 contributions. Indians defeated the militia at the battle of Stillman’s Run, which caused panic in the Lead District. The Galena River being centrally located between St. Louis and St. Paul on the Mississippi River made Galena a hub of steamboat commerce it was once one of the most important cities in Illinois and being the home of General Ulysses S. Grant the city received national attention during the 1860s. The service was discontinued in 1981 due to low ridership, poor management, and lack of funds. 1851-An Italianate-style firehouse was built on Bench Street. 1838-The First Presbyterian Church was constructed. 1822-The first mining lease was granted by the federal government to Col. James Johnson, who brought 20 white miners and perhaps 50 slaves from Kentucky to work his claim. 1868-Grant ran for president. We talked about the river, floods, and the history of Galena. Fires caused extensive damage to wooden buildings on Main Street. Because of its location along the Mississippi River, Galena became an important port stop between St. Paul and St. Louis, allowing the city to blossom. It is now Galena Green Condominiums. And the name Galena is chosen for the growing community. Here are a few of the many highlights in Galena’s past. GIFT SHOP ONLY - THURSDAY THRU SUNDAY 11:00 AM TO 3:00 PM. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. 1951-Construction was completed on the dike and floodgates, finally protecting Galena from floodwaters. 1839-Dredging began on the Fever River as the silting problem worsened-a result of soil erosion caused by mining, excessive cutting of trees for smelters and steamboats, and farming. Galena’s Democratic administration played a very small roll in the festivities. 1990-The City of Galena received a $684,800 grant for renovation of Turner Hall. An Episcopal Service was first held on the banks of the Fevre (now, Galena) River in 1826, the year Galena was incorporated as a town. H.H. Miners and traders flocked to the Point. Meanwhile, Dr. Moses Meeker and his colony arrived on the keelboat Colonel Bumford, and Meeker began smelting lead. Reconstruction began immediately and portions of the new facility were opened by August. Galena's political history is among the most significant in the State of Illinois. 1844-Jo Daviess County courthouse on Bench Street, begun in 1839, was completed. Explore Galena’s history and meet the spirit of Ulysses Grant in a hologram that welcomes guests to the museum where true national treasures, such as the “Peace in Union” and “General Grant on the Battlefield” paintings, Flag from the Vicksburg Siege, a topographical map of Jo Daviess County, and the stories of mining and steamboating are presented. The Village of Hazel Green, located on the Grant and Lafayette county border, is in the Galena River watershed. Galena’s first Chamber of Commerce was organized. Jo Daviess County was introduced to unlimited stakes riverboat gambling aboard the Silver Eagle Casino, docked at Frentress Lake, just west of Galena near East Dubuque. The Galena River Trail is built upon an old railroad spur of the Burlington Railroad main line, constructed in 1886. 1854-The name of Fever River was changed G River by the Illinois State Legislature. It was the first recorded permanent settlement on the Fever River. 1937-The worst flood in Galena’s history occurred. Galena, population 470, is located west of the Interior city of Fairbanks along the historic river. The building is now an Illinois State Historic Site. 1974-Amtrak began regularly scheduled rail passenger service to Chicago on the Black Hawk. 1994-Judith Gratton became the first woman County Board Chairman. Steamboats began regularly scheduled service between Galena and St. Louis. 1968-Over 85 percent of Galena is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 1859-The Alexander Jackson home was constructed on Bouthillier Street. It is now the Tourist Information Center. Hazel Green was part of the mining boom that took place in this part of Wisconsin in the 1800s. David Sheean was elected Mayor. U.S. Geological Survey. Must-visit spots include the Grant Home, The Galena & U.S. Grant Museum, and the DeSoto and Washburne Houses. One of Galena's most important landmarks, The Steamboat House is a Gothic Revival historic mansion built by steamboat captain Daniel Smith Harris and his wife, Sarah. Although two floors were removed in 1880, the building still stands today as the oldest operating hotel in Illinois. Galena is a city in Northern Illinois 16 miles east of Dubuque, Iowa and 163 miles west from Chicago.It is known as "The City that Time Forgot" for its rich 19th century heritage. It grew rapidly as the regional capital of lead mining, the largest riverboat port north of St Louis, and a prominent brewing … The river rises in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, south of Benton and southwest of Shullsburg. The Galena River, also known as Fever River, meanders through the lush scenery of Northern Illinois before winding through Galena’s historic downtown. Large numbers of miners began arriving, including settlers from Lord Selkirk’s failed colony on the Red River in Canada. Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas both spoke from the balcony of the DeSoto House Hotel. Five feet of water was recorded on Main Street. Because of siltation, the river channel continued to decrease in size while intensity and frequency of floods increased. He was instrumental in getting funding for a dike and floodgates on the Galena River. Took good covid precautions. 1900-Vice president Theodore Roosevelt spoke at Turner Hall. 1996-The Galena/Jo Daviess Chamber of Commerce began a major rehab of the Old Railroad Depot. It rises a few miles above the present city … 1819-Francis Bouthillier took over the deserted Armstrong cabin and established a ferry across the Fever River at the foot of what is now Bouthillier Street. 1911-A tornado caused severe damage to the roof of the Grant Home. 1926-Turner hall was gutted by fire. The City of Galena, Alaska was established in 1918 as a supply and trans-shipment point for lead ore (galena) mining prospects south of the Yukon River. 1858-Business man Daniel Barrows built his house on Bench Street that today houses the Galena/Jo Daviess County Historical Museum. Defeated the militia at the DeSoto House 1841-the State legislature granted a charter of incorporation to the city of ’... Acts of FIFTY–SEVENTH CONGRESS June 27, 1902 closed its Galena plant, consolidating production at the highest ever! 1906-The High school building on Prospect Street was constructed on Bouthillier Street oldest continuously owned and post... 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