Galena, Illinois
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Galena | |||
| City | |||
 Downtown Galena, Illinois
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| Country | United States | ||
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| State | Illinois | ||
| County | Jo Daviess | ||
| Township | Unknown | ||
| Elevation | 633 ft (193 m) | ||
| Coordinates | |||
| Area | 3.7 sq mi (10 km²) | ||
| - land | 3.7 sq mi (10 km²) | ||
| - water | 0.0 sq mi (0 km²) | ||
| Population | 3,460 (2000) | ||
| Density | 926.4 /sq mi (358 /km²) | ||
| Settled | 1690s (French)[1] | ||
| - Founded | 1826[3] | ||
| - Chartered | 1841[3] | ||
| Mayor | Tom F. Brusch[2] | ||
| Timezone | CST (UTC-6) | ||
| - summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) | ||
| Postal code | 61036 | ||
| Area code | 815 | ||
  Location of Galena within Illinois
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| Wikimedia Commons: Galena, Illinois | |||
| Website: http://www.cityofgalena.org/ | |||
Galena is the largest city in, and county seat of, Jo Daviess County, Illinois in the United States with an estimated population of 3,396 in 2006.[4][5] The city is a popular tourist destination known for its history, historical architecture, as well as its ski and golf resorts. Galena was the home to Ulysses S. Grant, several other war generals, entertainers and politicians.
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[edit] History
Galena has a rich history which is still visible in the city's architecture. Originally it was inhabitated by Native Americans in the Sac and Fox Nation.[3] By the late 17th century French people began to settle in the area and in the early 19th century American settlers arrived.[6][7] Following a sharp decline in the demand for lead, Galena's population dropped from 14,000, where it was in mid 19th century, to only 3,396, where it is in the early 21st century.[3][4]
[edit] Lead mining
The city is named for the mineral galena.[8] It is the natural mineral form of lead sulfide and the most important lead ore mineral.[9] Native Americans, including the Sac and Fox tribes, mined the ore in Galena for use as body painting.[3] In the 1690s French trappers discovered the area and also began mining the lead.[6][1]
Within a few centuries American settlers arrived in the area. George Davenport, a retired colonel in the United States Army, successfully shipped Galena's first boatload of lead ore down the Mississippi River in 1816.[7] Three years later a trading post was built in Galena which led to the first steamboat arriving in 1824.[7] By 1845 Galena was producing nearly 27,000 tons of lead ore. At that time Jo Daviess County was producing eighty percent of the lead in the United States.[7]
[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.[10] Today the Grant home is a popular tourist attraction.[11] Elihu B. Washburne, Grant's Secretary of State and an opponent of slavery in the United States, was also a resident and attorney in Galena.[12]By the end of the American Civil 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.[13] Galena was also briefly represented in Congress by Edward Dickinson Baker, who would later be the only U.S. Senator to fall in battle.[14] Other noted people who were born in or lived in Galena include Grant's son Frederick Dent Grant, explorer Frederick Schwatka, radio host Don McNeill, writer Herman Melville, Wyoming Governor William A. Richards, and Iowa Governor John H. Gear.[15][16][17][18][19][20]
Until the late 1980s Galena remained a small rural farming community. In 1990 local industries included the second Kraft Cheese plant founded by James L. Kraft -- the first is in Stockton, IL--, Lefco Foundary, John Westwick's foundary, and Microwswitch, Inc.
In the 1980s a tourist campaign was strongly endorced by then mayor Frank Einsweiler. Since that time the face of Galena has changed a great deal. Long standing businesses in the downtown area including Stair's Grocery, Sullivan's Grocery, Clingman's Pharmacy, and Hartig's Drugs have closed downtown location. Clingman's and Hartig's have relocated to locations on the outskirts of Galena while Stair's and Sullivan's closed their doors for good.[citation needed]
[edit] Geography
Galena is located at (42.418171, -90.431472)[21]. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.7 km²). Galena is situated along the Galena River, which is one of many tributaries of the Mississippi River.[7]
Galena is located in the Driftless Zone, an area that was not covered by glaciers during the recent ice ages.[3] 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.[22] Because it escaped glaciation, this area is known for its hills, valleys, bluffs and large amounts of exposed rock.[3]
[edit] Floods
Due to the city's proximity to the Galena River, buildings have been threatened on numerous occasions by flooding.[23] Galena's Congressman, Leo E. Allen, helped acquire funding for city floodgates which were added in 1951.[23] The following were significant, recorded floods:
- Galena's first recorded flood was in 1828. Water was high enough to allow steamboats to travel on city streets.[23]
- In 1937, a large flood inundated Main Street with up to five feet of water causing serious damage to downtown buildings.[23]
- Almost eight feet of water threatened downtown Galena in 1993, but was stopped by the city's floodgates. Late spring season rainfall led the Mississippi and Galena Rivers to their highest recorded levels.[23][24]
[edit] Climate
| Weather averages for Galena, Illinois | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Average high °C (°F) | -3 (27) | -1 (30) | 7 (45) | 15 (59) | 22 (72) | 27 (81) | 29 (84) | 28 (82) | 23 (73) | 17 (63) | 7 (45) | -2 (28) | |
| Average low °C (°F) | -13 (9) | -10 (14) | -4 (25) | 2 (36) | 8 (46) | 14 (57) | 17 (63) | 16 (61) | 11 (52) | 4 (39) | -3 (27) | -9 (16) | |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 29 (1.1) | 32 (1.3) | 57.9 (2.3) | 84.1 (3.3) | 94.7 (3.7) | 116.3 (4.6) | 84.8 (3.3) | 111.3 (4.4) | 91.9 (3.6) | 63.8 (2.5) | 65.5 (2.6) | 41.1 (1.6) | |
| Source: weather.com[25] 2008-02-28 | |||||||||||||
[edit] Galena Territory
The Galena Territory is a private 6,800-acre (28 km²) development located several miles southeast of downtown Galena.[26] The territory, which is managed by a homeowners association, has set aside 1,500 acres (6 km²) of protected recreational land.[27][28] 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.[26]
[edit] Tourism
Galena is a very popular tourist destination hosting well over one million visitors each year.[29] Galena is also popular with Chicagoans, many of whom keep second homes in the area.[30][31]
[edit] Cityscape
Eighty-five percent of the structures in Galena are listed on the National Register of Historic Places which greatly contributes to the city's popularity.[1] The Old Market House State Historic Site, built in 1845, is a museum of local social history. Main Street in downtown Galena has a large number of specialty shops and restaurants and is home to the Galena Cellers winery. Galena's Saint Michael's Church was founded by the pioneer priest Father Samuel Mazzuchelli. The church is named after one of the three Archangels. Opened in 1855, the downtown Desoto House Hotel, is the oldest operating hotel in Illinois.[32] There are also several resorts and golf courses located in and around Galena including the Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa and the Chestnut Mountain Ski Resort.[26][33]
[edit] Education
Galena is home to Galena High School (Illinois). From 2007, Highland Community College started to offer classes in the city.
Galena High School football has experienced great success since 1985. Galena has qualified for the state 1A and 2A playoffs every year except four since 1985 and won the state 1A championship in 1997, 2003, and 2007.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[34] of 2000, there were 3,460 people, 1,570 households, and 893 families residing in the city. The population density was 926.4 people per square mile (358.2/km²). There were 1,821 housing units at an average density of 487.6/sq mi (188.5/km²). 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.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c Galena Area Chamber of Commerce via CommunityLink (November 15, 2004). "Lifestyle, Location & History". Retrieved on January 4, 2007.
- ^ City of Galena, Illinois. "City of Galena Mayor". Retrieved on July 1, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g City of Galena. "History". Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ a b United States Census Bureau. "2005 population estimate for Galena city". Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b Destination 360 (2007). "Galena Illinois". Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e QuincyNet (August 2, 2005). "Galena". Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ Galena Historical Society (June 21, 2006). "History Highlights". Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ Mineral Information Institute (October 18, 2004). "Lead". Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ Illinois State Military Museum (February 27, 2007). "Ulysses S. Grant". Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ Destination 360 (2007). "Ulysses S Grant Home". Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ University of Virginia, Miller Center of Public Affairs (2007). "Elihu B. Washburne". Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ Galena Historical Society (June 21, 2006). "Galena's Nine Civil War Generals". Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ United States Congress. "BAKER, Edward Dickinson". Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ Report of the Sixth Reunion of the Grant Family Association at the Breevort House, New York, New York, February 27, 1914, ed. by Frank Grant and Elihu Grant (Westfield, Mass.: n. p., 1914), pp. 26-29.
- ^ Alaska Historical Society. "This Month in Alaska History". Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ Radio Hall of Fame (March 16, 2007). "Don McNeill". Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ Hayes, K. (2007). The Cambridge Introduction to Herman Melville. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
- ^ State of Wyoming (July 17, 2006). "W. Richards". Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ United States Congress. "GEAR, John Henry". Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Illinois Department of Natural Resources (2007). "Illinois' Natural Divisions". Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e Galena Historical Society (June 21, 2006). "A Timeline of Galena History". Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ Maier, David (April 17, 1998). "Wisconsin Journal, Number 26". Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ Monthly Averages for Galena, IL (English).
- ^ a b c Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa. "About Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa". Retrieved on January 4, 2007.
- ^ The Galena Territory Association (January 4, 2007). "Greenspace & Trails". Retrieved on January 4, 2007.
- ^ The Galena Territory Association (January 4, 2007). "Association Info". Retrieved on January 4, 2007.
- ^ Economic Development: Approved comprehensive plan, City of Galena, Illinois, (2003, April 15).
- ^ Road Trip America (November 1, 2005). "Tritowns". Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ Solomon, A. (2005, June 5). Back to Galena. Chicago Tribune, pp. 1, Travel.
- ^ DeSoto House Hotel. "DeSoto House Hotel History". Retrieved on January 4, 2007.
- ^ Chestnut Mountain Resort. "About us". Retrieved on January 4, 2007.
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
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