Galena history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the city of Galena is inextricably linked with the mineral of the same name (lead sulphide), deposits of which were known to indigenous peoples long before the arrival of Europeans. The Sauk and Fox tribes actively mined ore here, using it for trade and household needs.

European explorers, particularly the French, mapped the deposits as early as the late 17th century. However, active colonization began only in the 1820s, when the US government opened the region for industrial development. The city officially received its current name in 1826, marking the beginning of its transformation from a temporary mining camp into a thriving settlement.

Key Development Factors

Galena's transformation into one of the region's most important cities was driven by a combination of rich subsoil and fortunate geography:

• Lead Rush: This was the first major "mineral boom" in US history. By the mid-1840s, the region produced the vast majority of the country's lead, attracting thousands of settlers.
• Transport Artery: The city is located on the Galena River (formerly known as the Fever River), which flows into the Mississippi. This made it an ideal port for steamboats, ensuring ore export and connection with southern states.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

During its heyday in the mid-19th century, Galena surpassed even Chicago in population and wealth. Economic prosperity fostered rapid architectural development: wealthy merchants and mine owners built luxurious mansions from red brick and local limestone, many of which have survived to this day.

The city became an important political and commercial centre of Illinois, attracting educated professionals and entrepreneurs. It was here, in an atmosphere of economic success, that the future US President Ulysses S. Grant lived and worked before the Civil War.

Early History and Mining Boom

• 1690: French explorer Nicolas Perrot establishes a trading post and begins lead mining in the region.
• 1823: The steamboat "Virginia" reaches these places for the first time, opening the way for active trade and an influx of settlers.
• 1826: The settlement officially receives the name Galena in honour of the mineral (lead sulphide) that became the foundation of the local economy.
• 1827: Jo Daviess County is established, and Galena becomes its administrative centre.
• 1832: During the Black Hawk War, a defensive stockade is erected in the city to protect residents.
• 1841: Galena receives official City status, confirming its role as a key regional hub.
• 1845: Peak lead mining: the region produces the vast majority of all lead in the United States.

Times of Change and Heritage Preservation

• 1854: The Illinois Central Railroad arrives in the city, connecting it to the national transport network.
• 1860: Ulysses S. Grant moves to Galena with his family and begins working in his father's leather shop.
• 1865: Grateful residents present General Grant, returning from the Civil War, with a fully furnished house.
• 1869: Ulysses Grant becomes the 18th US President, and his summer headquarters is located in Galena.
• Early 20th Century: The city's economic importance declines due to falling demand for lead and river siltation, making navigation impossible.
• 1965: Galena's historic district is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places, marking the beginning of a tourism revival.
• 1969: The district receives National Historic Landmark status thanks to its beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture.

Stages of Galena's Transformation

Galena's development is a story of rise, fall, and remarkable revival. Below are the key milestones that defined the city's modern appearance and status:

• Lead Rush (1820s–1840s)
  The discovery of the richest lead deposits turned the territory into an economic magnet of the Midwest. This ensured a rapid influx of capital and population, allowing Galena to briefly become wealthier and more influential than Chicago.
• Golden Age of Steamboating (Mid-19th Century)
  Thanks to access to the Mississippi via the Galena River, the city became the largest river port north of St. Louis. This stimulated rapid urban development: instead of wooden shacks, solid brick buildings in Federal and Greek styles rose up, forming a unique architectural ensemble.
• Arrival of the Railroad (1854)
  Connection to the Illinois Central Railroad simplified logistics but paradoxically began to undermine the river port's dominance. Railways shifted the region's economic centre towards the fast-growing Chicago.
• Political Triumph (1860s–1870s)
  The residence of Ulysses S. Grant and a group of famous Civil War generals ("The Nine Generals from Galena") gave the city the status of an unofficial political capital. This attracted national attention, securing Galena an important place in US cultural history.
• River Siltation and Economic Stagnation (Late 19th – Early 20th Century)
  Environmental consequences of deforestation and soil erosion led to the shallowing of the Galena River, making it unsuitable for large vessels. The loss of the port and depletion of lead veins caused a long period of economic decline. A lack of funds for modernization saved the historic centre from demolition and redevelopment.
• Tourism Renaissance (Since the 1960s)
  Realizing the value of pristine 19th-century architecture led to a change in the economic model. The city's inclusion in National Registers and large-scale restoration turned Galena into a popular tourist centre, monetizing its historical heritage.

Architectural Time Capsule

The architectural appearance of Galena is unique in that it was almost completely formed in the mid-19th century and remained untouched. The economic downturn that began after the Civil War paradoxically saved the city from the demolition of old buildings and modern development. Thanks to this, today Galena represents one of the best-preserved examples of an American provincial city of the Victorian era.

The city boasts over 800 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are no skyscrapers or typical 20th-century developments here; instead, the streets are filled with brick and stone structures reflecting the wealth and ambitions of the "Lead Rush" period and the steamboat era.

Main Styles and Historical Eras

The development of Galena's architecture clearly correlates with the stages of its economic prosperity. Each decade of the city's "Golden Age" brought its own stylistic features:

• Federal Style (1820s – 1840s): The early period of development. Characterized by simplicity, symmetry, and restraint. These were the first permanent houses replacing temporary wooden miners' structures.
• Greek Revival (1840s – 1850s): The peak of lead mining coincided with the popularity of this style in the USA. Buildings with columns and pediments, resembling ancient temples, symbolized democratic ideals and civic order. A vivid example is the public buildings of that time.
• Italianate Style (1850s – 1870s): The most common style in Galena, dominating Main Street. Characterized by decorative cornices with brackets, arched windows, and flat or low-pitched roofs. This style became a symbol of merchant wealth before the city's decline began.
• Second Empire and Queen Anne (1870s – 1890s): Late Victorian styles are less common and mainly represented by mansions on the hills. The Second Empire style features mansard roofs, while the Queen Anne style is distinguished by asymmetry, turrets, and rich decoration.

Urban Planning Features

Galena's layout is dictated by the complex terrain. The city is squeezed into a narrow river valley, so construction was carried out on terraces rising up the steep slopes of the hills:

• Lower Level (Main Street): The commercial and business heart of the city. The street curves gently, following the (now altered) riverbed. Dense rows of commercial buildings are located here, protected from floods by massive levees built in the 20th century.
• Middle and Upper Levels (Bench Street, Prospect Street): Residential areas and churches. Streets here run parallel to the river but are situated significantly higher. It was here that wealthy industrialists built their mansions to have a better view of the city and avoid the mud and noise of the port.
• Connecting Levels: A characteristic feature of the city is the numerous staircases and steep alleys connecting the commercial centre with the residential quarters on the hills.

Iconic Buildings Defining the City's Look

Several architectural landmarks serve as the "face" of historic Galena:

• Ulysses S. Grant Home: A classic example of the Italianate style. A brick house with wide cornices and a veranda, gifted to the general by the city's residents in 1865.
• DeSoto House Hotel: Opened in 1855, it was one of the most luxurious hotels in the West. The building with a massive brick façade and arched windows hosted presidents and celebrities, serving as the centre of social life.
• Old Market House: A magnificent example of Greek Revival, built in 1845. Strict lines, symmetry, and a dome made it the centre of the city's public and commercial activity.
• Belvedere Mansion: A luxurious Italianate residence towering over the city, known for its exquisite interiors and gardens.

Prominent Figures of Galena

The history of Galena is rich with names that influenced not only the region's development but also the fate of the entire country. The city is known as the home of nine Civil War generals, including a future president, as well as the residence of prominent politicians and cultural figures.

Civil War Era and Politics

• Ulysses S. Grant
  18th US President, Union Army General
  The city's most famous resident. Grant moved to Galena in 1860 to work in the family leather business. From here he left for the Civil War, becoming a national hero, and returned here in triumph. His presidential campaign was effectively managed from Galena.
• Elihu B. Washburne
  US Secretary of State, Congressman, Diplomat
  An influential politician, called the "Father of the House". Washburne was a mentor and political patron to Ulysses Grant and Abraham Lincoln. Later served as US Ambassador to France. His mansion in Galena is a historical monument.
• John Aaron Rawlins
  General, US Secretary of War
  A lawyer from Galena who became General Grant's closest confidant and chief of staff. Rawlins played a key role in strategic war planning and protected Grant's reputation throughout his career.
• Ely S. Parker
  General, Engineer, Diplomat
  A Seneca tribe member who worked in Galena as an engineer before the war. He became Grant's adjutant, and it was he who wrote the final terms of the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. Later became the first Native American to head the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
• Augustus Louis Chetlain
  Major General, Banker
  One of the first Galena residents to answer the call to war. He was active in recruiting volunteers and became the first person in Illinois to be commissioned as a general during the conflict.

Culture and Public Life

• Don McNeill
  Radio Host, Broadcasting Pioneer
  A Galena native, creator and long-time host of the legendary radio show "The Breakfast Club", which aired for over 35 years. Considered one of the most influential figures in the history of American radio.
• Thomas Melville
  Merchant, Public Figure
  Uncle of the famous writer Herman Melville (author of "Moby Dick"). Thomas was a prominent figure in Galena in the 1840s, heading the local chamber of commerce. Herman Melville himself visited his uncle in Galena, and impressions of the city were reflected in his correspondence.