Galena in Jo Daviess County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Galena, Illinois

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 15, 2022

1. Galena, Illinois Marker

Inscription.
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

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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 1964 by Illinois Department of Transportation and The Illinois State Historical Society. (Marker Number 1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1826.

Location. 42° 24.61′ N, 90° 25.474′ W. Marker is in Galena, Illinois, in Jo Daviess County. It is at the intersection of Spring Street (U.S. 20) and 4th Street, on the right when traveling west on Spring Street. The marker stands at the Grant Cabin site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 313 E Spring St, Galena IL 61036, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 15, 2022

2. Galena, Illinois Marker

this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ulysses S. Grant Home (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1913 Krupp Howitzer (approx. ¼ mile away); The Napoleon (approx. ¼ mile away); Galena Public Library (approx. 0.4 miles away); The De Soto House (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Point Of Beginning (approx. 6.8 miles away in Wisconsin); a different marker also named Galena, Illinois (approx. 9.4 miles away); St. Augustine Church (approx. 9.7 miles away in Wisconsin). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Galena.

More about this marker. There have been three different Galena, Illinois markers erected by the Illinois State Historical Society. The two original markers were erected on June

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 15, 2022

3. Galena, Illinois Marker

15th, 1964 and were each placed to the east and northwest of Galena along U.S. Route 20. This is the first of these markers and was located at a roadside park 8.5 miles east of Galena. Due to the relocation of U.S. Route 20, this marker was relocated to its current location in front of the Crowson House. The other original marker (#2) was destroyed, and then replaced with a new marker in 1988 (#3) and moved to its current location near Elizabeth.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2022, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 800 times since then and 117 times this year. Last updated on August 14, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 26, 2022, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.