Galena, Illinois

Galena is located in the Driftless Zone: an area that was not covered by glaciers during the recent ice ages. This area, which includes the far northwestern corner of the state of Illinois, escaped glaciation, even while almost the entire state was glaciated, nearly to its southern tip. Because it escaped glaciation, this area has exposed rock, without the deep soils that cover almost the entire State.

[edit] History

The town is named for galena, an ore of lead, lead sulfide. The Native Americans mined the ore here, at least for use as body paint. The French mined lead here as early as 1690. Americans were working the mines prior to 1818. Because of the lead deposits, Galena was settled early on by Americans, even though its location, in the far northwest corner of the state, was remote from the early settlers, who generally came from the southeast. But in the 1840s, at the height of Galena's prosperity, the town's population was larger than Chicago's. As the use of lead declined, so did Galena's fortunes. But the beautiful architecture of the city remained, and much has been preserved for today's generations to enjoy.

In 1937, the Galena River flooded, innundating Main Street with up to five feet of water. In 1951, the city was finally protected by a dike and floodgates.

[edit] People

Ulysses S. Grant, the future American Civil War general and 18th U.S. President, lived in Galena for several years working as an assistant in his father and brother's leather shop. Today the home he lived in Galena for several years after the Civil War is a popular tourist attraction. His political mentor was Elihu B. Washburne, a Galena attorney who served in Congress and later as Grant's own Secretary of State.

By the end of the war, the count of generals from Galena reached nine: Grant; Augustus Louis Chetlain; John Oliver Duer; Jasper Adalmorn Maltby; Ely Samuel Parker; John Aaron Rawlins; William Rueben Rowley; John Corson Smith; and John Eugene Smith.

Galena was also briefly represented in Congress by Edward Dickinson Baker, who would later be the only U.S. Senator to fall in battle. Other noted people from Galena include Grant's son Frederick Dent Grant, explorer Frederick Schwatka, radio host Don McNeill, Wyoming Governor William A. Richards, and Iowa Governor John H. Gear.

Writer Herman Melville lived in Galena briefly in the early 1840's. An uncle of his had settled there, and he came to look for work. Finding none, he returned home, and then went to sea.

[edit] Present Day

Galena is a very popular tourist destination hosting well over one million visitors each year.[2] Main Street in downtown Galena has a large number of specialty shops and restaurants offering fine food. It is also home to the Galena Cellers winery. The city is popular with "weekenders" from Chicago, many of whom have weekend homes in the area.

85% of the structures in Galena are listed on the National Register of Historic Places [3], which greatly contributes to the charm & popularity of the city.

[edit] Culture and Institutions

Saint Michael's Church in Galena was founded by the pioneer priest Father Samuel Mazzuchelli. The church is named after one of the three Archangels. The downtown Desoto House Hotel [4], built in 1855, is the oldest operating hotel in Illinois, and once billed itself—before the top two stories were demolished—as the "largest hotel in the West".

There are a several resorts and golf courses located in and around Galena including the Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa and the Chestnut Mountain Ski Resort.

In 2004 Wal-Mart began building a Supercenter along U.S. Highway 20 in the western part of the city, after years of controversy over building such a store in the area. The new Supercenter opened in early 2005.

Galena as seen from Park Avenue

Downtown Galena

The Galena Territory

Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa's East Course

[edit] The Galena Territory

The Galena Territory is a private 6,800 acre development located several miles southeast of downtown Galena. The territory, which is managed by a homeowners association, has set aside 1,500 acres of protected recreational land. The remainder is filled with low-density residential development and the Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa. The resort is best known for its 63 holes of championship golf.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 3,460 people, 1,570 households, and 893 families residing in the city. The population density was 358.2/km² (926.4/mi²). There were 1,821 housing units at an average density of 188.5/km² (487.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.54% White, 0.32% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 1.16% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.06% of the population.

There were 1,570 households out of which 20.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.1% were non-families. 37.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city the population was spread out with 18.7% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 22.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,103, and the median income for a family was $44,063. Males had a median income of $32,172 versus $19,670 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,773. About 4.3% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.8% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.