Near Elizabeth in Jo Daviess County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Galena, Illinois
Prior to 1820, Indians and occasional white traders occupied LaPointe, the name given to the present site of Galena. The settlement grew rapidly in 1823 and 1824 as each boat deposited new arrivals on the banks of the Fever (now Galena) River. The town was laid out in 1826, and the name changed to Galena (Latin for sulphide of lead). Terror reigned in the region during the Black Hawk War in 1832, but the suppression of the Indians cleared the way for unrestricted white settlement.
As supply center for the mines and shipping point for the growing river commerce, Galena became a thriving city when Chicago was still a swamp village. Galena's zenith arrived in the 1840's, and residents lavished money on elaborate houses, many of which still stand today. By the 1850's the surface lead deposits were depleted; the Galena River, once over 300 feet wide, began to gather silt; and the railroads started to take the river commerce.
Ulysses S. Grant arrived here in 1860 to work in his father's leather store. A year later this still obscure clerk marched off to the Civil War; in 1865, he returned in triumph to a gift mansion donated by his Galena neighbors. Grant was so prominent that he overshadowed the town's eight other Civil War generals.
In 1869, after his election as President of the United States, Grant appointed his Galena friends John A. Rawlins, Secretary of War; Elihu B. Washburne, Secretary of State; Ely S. Parker, Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
Erected 1987 by Illinois Department of Transportation and The Illinois State Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1826.
Location. 42° 19.985′ N, 90° 16.338′ W. Marker is near Elizabeth, Illinois, in Jo Daviess County. Marker is on U.S. 20, 0.9 miles west of West Headquarters Road, on the right when traveling west. The marker stands at the Long Hollow Scenic Overlook. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2918 US Hwy 20 W, Hanover IL 61041, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Galena, Illinois (approx. 9.4 miles away); Ulysses S. Grant Home (approx. 9˝ miles away); Galena Public Library (approx. 9.8 miles away); The De Soto House (approx. 9.8 miles away); Savanna Army Depot Activity (approx. 10.2 miles away); St. Augustine Church (approx. 14.2 miles away in Wisconsin); The Point Of Beginning (approx. 14.7 miles away in Wisconsin).
Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2022, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 88 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 26, 2022, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.