Galesville in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Downtown Galesville Historic District

Photographed by Keith L, June 3, 2012

1. Downtown Galesville Historic District Marker

Inscription. First platted in 1854, the commercial district surrounding the public square is still the heart of downtown Galesville. Most buildings date from the 1880s to the early 20th century and feature a two-story brick facade, tall narrow windows and elaborate cornice detail. The continuity of scale and design of these structures gives the district its distinctive historic character.

Two of the best-preserved examples, the Clark Block (1886) and the Jensen Building (1902), have round arch Romanesque windows. The octagonal Bandstand (1912) is still the center of many community celebrations. The facade in the middle of Davis Street replaces a building that burned in 2005. The District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

Erected 2009
Wisconsin Historical Society

Erected 2009 by Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 529.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 44° 4.969′ N, 91° 20.921′ W. Marker is in Galesville, Wisconsin, in Trempealeau

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County. It can be reached from the intersection of South Main Street (U.S. 53) and East Gale Avenue. Marker is at the bandstand in the public square. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Galesville WI 54630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Western Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Galesville (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Galesville Bridge (about 600 feet away); Ridge Avenue Historic District (approx. half a mile away); John F. Cance / Galesville Area Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Gale College Historic District (approx. one mile away); Decorah Peak (approx. 1.6 miles away); The McGilvray "Seven Bridges Road" (approx. 4.8 miles away); The Mississippi River Parkway: (approx. 6.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Galesville.

Photographed by Keith L, June 3, 2012

2. Downtown Galesville Historic District Marker

Marker and Public Square image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 3, 2012

3. Marker and Public Square

Marker and Bandstand image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 3, 2012

4. Marker and Bandstand

Donor Recognition Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 3, 2012

5. Donor Recognition Plaque

left of bandstand steps

Photographed by Keith L, June 3, 2012

6. Donor Recognition Plaque

right of bandstand steps

Downtown Galesville Historic District image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 3, 2012

7. Downtown Galesville Historic District

Davis Street

Photographed by Keith L, June 3, 2012

8. Downtown Galesville Historic District

East Gale Avenue

Nearby Rev. David Van Slyke Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 3, 2012

9. Nearby Rev. David Van Slyke Statue

South Main Street and Gibson Street

Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2012, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,303 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on June 4, 2012, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.