Galena in Cherokee County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Galena, Kansas
Founded in 1877
— Will Rogers Highway - US Route 66 —
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., January 24, 2011
1. Galena, Kansas Marker
Named for the ore it produced, Galena lead mining was the largest industry in our history, starting in 1873 and continuing until 1973. The mining and smelting required 3 railroads, 65 crushers, 2 smelters and 3 sludge mills to handle the ore produced from as many as 250 mines. The city sprang up with over 160 service and professional businesses. Its population grew to 30,000 people making its history the largest community within Cherokee County. What is known today as "Main Street of America" or the "Mother Road", U.S. 66 was established down our Main Street, Galena, Kansas in 1926. Dedicated as U.S. 66 Will Rogers Highway Dec. 9, 1935. Kansas has 13.2 miles of Route 66. At this point there are 1794 miles west and 606 miles east of America's U.S. Historic Will Rogers Memorial Highway U.S. 66.
"America is a land of opportunity and don't ever forget it."
Will Rogers
Dedicated 6-19-2001
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Will Rogers Highway, dedicated 1952 to Will Rogers - Humorist - World Traveler - Good Neighbor. This Main Street of America, Highway 66, was the first road he traveled in a career that led him straight to the hearts of his countrymen.
Erected 2001 by Galena Chamber of Commerce, Will Rogers Heritage Trust, C.P.G., and Others.
Topics and series. This historical marker
this page online
Location. 37° 4.569′ N, 94° 38.365′ W. Marker is in Galena, Kansas, in Cherokee County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and 5th Street, on the right when traveling south on Main Street. Markers are in Route 66 Howard "Pappy" Litch Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Galena KS 66739, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Route 66 Howard 'Pappy' Litch Park (here, next to this marker); Galena Growth And Change (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome To Galena (within shouting distance of this marker); Galena Chamber of Commerce, Galena, Kansas (within shouting distance of this marker); Mining And Its Impacts (within shouting distance of this marker); War Memorial (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct
Photographed By Craig Doda, May 12, 2020
2. Galena, Kansas Marker
Back Side
Regarding Galena, Kansas. U.S. Route 66 was well-known as the Main Street of America, or the Mother Road, but not Will Rogers Highway. A congressional resolution to name Route 66 in honor of Will Rogers was considered in 1935 but was not finalized. In 1952, a number of bronze markers were placed to promote the Warner Brothers film "The Will Rogers Story". The U.S. 66 Highway Associaton, Ford Motor Company, and Warner Brothers took part in the promotion. A caravan drove along Route 66 from St. Louis to Santa Monica placing markers at each state line declaring the name Will Rogers Highway. It was only a movie promotion, not an actual re-naming of the highway.
Also see . . .
1. Galena's Mining History. (Submitted on June 1, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. History of Route 66 in Galena. (Submitted on June 1, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Will Rogers Biography. (Submitted on June 1, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Galena's Mining History
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., January 24, 2011
3. Will Rogers Highway Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., January 24, 2011
4. Galena, Kansas Marker
In Litch Park
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2015
5. Will Rogers
This 1933-36 portrait by Charles Banks Wilson hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,046 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 1, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on December 4, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3, 4. submitted on June 1, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on December 4, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
