Galena in Stone County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Galena

Photographed By Leah Tibbs, August 26, 2018

1. Galena Marker

Side one of the marker.

Inscription.

Galena. . , Side 1 , Seat of justice for Stone County. Galena lies 1,016 feet above sea level on the James River in whose beautiful, crystal waters the explorer H.R. Schoolcraft reported seeing lumps of galena on his 1818-19 trip in the Ozarks. First known as Jamestown, the town was originally settled in the 1830's to the south. After the county, named for pioneer Judge W. T. Stone, was organized, 1851, the present location and name were adopted. Stone County lies in the oldest mountain region in the U.S. In 7000 B.C. prehistoric Ozark Bluff Dweller Indians were living in the area. In modern times the county was part of the territory claimed by the Osage until 1808. Delaware Indians, between their land cession in Cape Girardeau County. 1818, and their final Missouri land cession, 1829, lived along the James River.

In early days the county benefited from the Wilderness Road, a north-south Indian and pioneer trail. Near Reeds Spring was Linchpin Campground. The Butterfield Mail route of 1856-61, soon called the Wire Road cut across northwest Stone County. In 1904, the White River R.R. (Mo. Pac.) arrived.

Side 2 , Galena, in the Missouri Ozarks, serves as seat of a county of the Shepherd of the Hills region, an area famed for its beauty, legends, and folklore. During the Civil War, guerrilla raids halted growth, but post war years brought development as a resort and farming land. Galena to Branson float trips on the James and the White rivers became famous, and Stone County developed into one of the state's top tomato producers, the crop being called "Red Gold of the Hills."

Side 1
Seat of justice for Stone County. Galena lies 1,016 feet above sea level on the James River in whose beautiful, crystal waters the explorer H.R. Schoolcraft reported seeing lumps of galena on his 1818-19 trip in the Ozarks. First known as Jamestown, the town was originally settled in the 1830's to the south. After the county, named for pioneer Judge W. T. Stone, was organized, 1851, the present location and name were adopted. Stone County lies in the oldest mountain region in the U.S. In 7000 B.C. prehistoric Ozark Bluff Dweller Indians were living in the area. In modern times the county was part of the territory claimed by the Osage until 1808. Delaware Indians, between their land cession in Cape Girardeau County. 1818, and their final Missouri land cession, 1829, lived along the James River.

Side 2
Galena, in the Missouri Ozarks, serves as seat of a county of the Shepherd of the Hills region, an area famed for its beauty, legends, and folklore. During the Civil War, guerrilla raids halted growth,

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but post war years brought development as a resort and farming land. Galena to Branson float trips on the James and the White rivers became famous, and Stone County developed into one of the state's top tomato producers, the crop being called "Red Gold of the Hills."

Points of interest in Stone and adjacent Taney County are the Shepherd of the Hills Country with its many sites associated with Harold Bell Wright's 1907 novel; Table Rock Dam, Lake, and resort area; and Fairy, Marvel, and Old Spanish caves. Among Stone County's settlers were such accomplished pioneers as John B. Williams, who opened one of Missouri's early powder mills, 1835, at Cape Fair; Joseph Phillabert, Indian trader; Jacob Yocum. Schoolcraft's guide: and later, Truman S. Powell, editor, legislator, speleologist. Representative Dewey Short is a native of Galena, and here lived folklorist May Kennedy McCord as a youth.

Erected 1957 by State Historical Society of Missouri and State Highway Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Native Americans • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 36° 48.331′ N, 93° 27.634′ W. Marker is in Galena, Missouri, in Stone County. Marker is at the intersection

Photographed By Leah Tibbs, August 26, 2018

2. Galena Marker

Side two of the marker.

of Y Bridge (Missouri Route 248), on the right when traveling south on Y Bridge. This marker is across the river from downtown Galena. The bridge is now closed to motor vehicles and is now a pedestrian bridge. The markers can be seen from 248, aka 214, but you have to park off the shoulder and walk up the path to read them. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Galena MO 65656, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Famous Y Bridge In Galena, Missouri (a few steps from this marker); United We Stand (approx. 0.3 miles away); Honoring All Those Who Served (approx. 8.7 miles away); Duty, Honor, County (approx. 9 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 9.1 miles away); Mars Hill Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. 10½ miles away); Liberty Tree (approx. 11.6 miles away); Marvel Cave (approx. 11.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Galena.

Also see . . .
1. Galena, Missouri. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Submitted on September 19, 2018, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia.)

2. Early History of Stone County, Missouri Part I of II by Charles L. Henson. The link to the second part of the article is on the same page. (Submitted on September 19, 2018, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia.)

Photographed By David Tibbs, August 26, 2018

3. Galena Marker

Closeup of the text on side two.

Photographed By Leah Tibbs, August 26, 2018

4. Galena Marker

Looking towards the marker from the bridge that's now closed and for pedestrian traffic only. It can be seen standing in the distance to the left

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2018, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. This page has been viewed 550 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 19, 2018, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.