Galena, Illinois
Galena, Illinois | ||
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City | ||
City Council
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Area 815 | ||
FIPS code | 17-28300 | |
Wikimedia Commons | Galena, Illinois | |
Website | http://www.cityofgalena.org/ |
Galena is the largest city in and the county seat of Jo Daviess County, Illinois, United States.[7] It had a population of 3,308 at the 2020 census.[6] A 581-acre (235 ha) section of the city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Galena Historic District. The city is named for the mineral galena, which was in the ore that formed the basis for the region's early lead mining economy.
Native Americans, primarily Meskwaki, Ho-Chunk, Sauk, and Menominee had mined galena in the area for more than a thousand years before European Americans settled in the area.[8] Owing to these deposits, Galena was the site of the first major mineral rush in the United States. By 1828, the population was estimated at 10,000, rivaling the population of Chicago at the time. Galena developed as the largest steamboat hub on the Mississippi River north of St. Louis. Galena was the home of Ulysses S. Grant and eight other Civil War generals. Today, the city is a tourist destination known for its history, architecture, and resorts.
History
This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2022) |
Precolonial and colonial history
The city is named for
In 1658
The French named the settlement as La Pointe, and early American settlers adopted this name as "The Point" after the United States acquired the territory in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Early documentation officially records the name as "Fever River", an early name for the Galena River.
This name did not appear to be widely used.[16] George Davenport, a retired colonel in the United States Army, successfully shipped Galena's first boatload of lead ore in 1816 down the Mississippi River. Three years later, Jesse W. Shull built a trading post.[17] The Thomas H. January family, who arrived in 1821 from Maysville, Kentucky, are considered the first permanent American settlers. The next year, the US Department of War assumed control of the mines and leased the lands out to operators.[18] A large group of colonists led by Dr. Moses Meeker and James Harris arrived in 1823.[19] Steamboat trade began in 1824.[17]
American Boomtown
The first official lease of the mines on behalf of the US government was dated September 30, 1822 and made to James Johnson, brother of US Senator Richard Mentor Johnson. Martin Thomas, appointed by the government in 1824 to oversee mine leases, was commissioned to survey the mines in 1826.[20]
The name "Galena" was purportedly proposed during a town meeting that year; rejected names included Jackson, Harrison, and Jo Daviess. After Thomas platted the town, starting in June 1827, settlers could lease plots from the government. The land remained in government possession until the leasing system was eased out in 1836–37.[19] When Jo Daviess County was founded in 1827, Galena was named its county seat. This established the first courts in Galena; previous legal proceedings were heard in front of the Superintendent of Lead Mines.[21] 21 million pounds of lead were mined in Galena from 1825 to 1828, and the population skyrocketed in that time from 200 to 10,000.[22]
Local native tribes, then mostly Meskwaki and Ho-Chunk, permitted settlers to mine in established areas in Galena. However, the growth of the city led settlers to encroach on native land claims, as they sought new veins of lead.
A meeting of townspeople on February 1, 1830, established the first fire department.[25] At a town meeting at the county courthouse on September 7, 1835, sixty-five residents approved a motion for incorporation as a town. Eight days later, five individuals were elected as the first trustees. Incorporation was approved by the county board of trustees on October 2, and the first meeting of trustees occurred the next day.[3] The 15th Illinois General Assembly (1836–37) codified the trustee election process.[26] A steamboat was selected as the town seal on May 22, 1837.[27]
A state law governing local jurisdictions resulted in the town holding its first elections for mayor and aldermen on May 24, 1841, to replace the board of trustees. Charles S. Hempstead was elected the first mayor, with 185 of the 356 votes cast. The first US census of the town was also held that year, recording 1,900 inhabitants.[28]
Indigenous peoples of the Americas traded galena with French traders as early as 1692. Julien Dubuque mined the ore in Iowa from 1788 until 1810. From 1807 until 1834, the United States government controlled leases, after which the lands were put up for sale. In 1839, David Dale Owen made a geologic survey of the region. The Ordovician Galena limestone contained most of the galena ore, and peak productivity occurred between 1840 and 1850. By 1845 Galena was producing nearly 27,000 tons of lead ore annually, and Jo Daviess County was producing 80 percent of the lead in the United States.[17] In 1852, the region produced 87 percent of the American output, and 10 percent of the world's,[29] with pollutants from Galena's industry found as far away as Lake Matoaka in Tidewater Virginia.[30]
Once one of the most important cities in the state, Galena was a hub on the
Decline
Following a sharp decline in the demand for lead (which had been the city's chief income source during the early 19th century), Galena's population has dropped from 14,000 in the mid-19th century, to 3,396 in the early 21st century.[2][31]
Today
This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2022) |
Galena's official
In 1990, local industries included a Kraft Foods cheese plant, Lemfco Foundry, John Westwick's foundry, and Microswitch, Inc. In the 1980s, Galena Mayor Frank Einsweiler initiated a tourist campaign.[citation needed] Since that time Galena's business district has emphasized its historic assets in the face of suburban development. Such long-standing businesses in the downtown area, including Stair's Grocery, Sullivan's Grocery, Clingman's Pharmacy, the oldest continuously operating pharmacy in Illinois, and Hartig Drug, closed their downtown locations. Clingman's and Hartig's relocated to the outskirts of Galena, while Stair's and Sullivan's closed their doors permanently because of competition. In late 2010, Clingman's joined the Hartig's family and moved their pharmacy to Hartig's Drugs location along Highway 20.[citation needed]
The Country Fair in Grant Park has been an attraction that has helped increase tourist traffic to Galena as a destination. It is a craft show that attracts thousands of visitors to the area.[
Geography
Galena is located at 42°25′5″N 90°25′53″W / 42.41806°N 90.43139°W (42.418171, −90.431472)[32] along the Galena River, which is one of many tributaries of the Mississippi River.[17]
According to the 2010 census, Galena has a total area of 4.167 square miles (10.79 km2), of which 4.16 square miles (10.77 km2) (or 99.83%) is land and 0.007 square miles (0.02 km2) (or 0.17%) is water.[33]
Galena is located in the
Horseshoe Mound is a hill located outside Galena that U.S. 20 winds around before entering Galena. The view from Horseshoe Mound is one of the most photographed spots in the city. It stands at 1,063 feet (324 m) above sea level.
Climate
Galena has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification: Dfa), with cold winters, hot summers, and four seasons.[35] Annual precipitation is about 36 inches.
Climate data for Galena (1991–2020 normals) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 59 (15) |
69 (21) |
85 (29) |
88 (31) |
92 (33) |
101 (38) |
101 (38) |
102 (39) |
94 (34) |
91 (33) |
77 (25) |
68 (20) |
102 (39) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 26.9 (−2.8) |
31.4 (−0.3) |
44.5 (6.9) |
57.4 (14.1) |
68.9 (20.5) |
78.2 (25.7) |
82.0 (27.8) |
80.3 (26.8) |
74.1 (23.4) |
60.9 (16.1) |
45.6 (7.6) |
32.6 (0.3) |
56.9 (13.8) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 18.5 (−7.5) |
22.5 (−5.3) |
34.5 (1.4) |
46.8 (8.2) |
58.2 (14.6) |
68.3 (20.2) |
71.9 (22.2) |
69.9 (21.1) |
62.3 (16.8) |
50.1 (10.1) |
36.7 (2.6) |
24.7 (−4.1) |
47.0 (8.3) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 10.0 (−12.2) |
13.6 (−10.2) |
24.4 (−4.2) |
36.2 (2.3) |
47.4 (8.6) |
58.3 (14.6) |
61.7 (16.5) |
59.5 (15.3) |
50.5 (10.3) |
39.3 (4.1) |
27.7 (−2.4) |
16.8 (−8.4) |
37.1 (2.8) |
Record low °F (°C) | −33 (−36) |
−35 (−37) |
−14 (−26) |
12 (−11) |
21 (−6) |
33 (1) |
39 (4) |
37 (3) |
19 (−7) |
10 (−12) |
−2 (−19) |
−29 (−34) |
−35 (−37) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.23 (31) |
1.53 (39) |
2.25 (57) |
3.89 (99) |
4.38 (111) |
6.02 (153) |
4.93 (125) |
4.19 (106) |
3.86 (98) |
3.02 (77) |
2.48 (63) |
1.82 (46) |
39.60 (1,006) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 10.3 (26) |
9.0 (23) |
5.1 (13) |
1.3 (3.3) |
0.3 (0.76) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.4 (1.0) |
2.0 (5.1) |
9.5 (24) |
37.9 (96) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 8.5 | 7.6 | 8.9 | 11.0 | 13.0 | 11.8 | 9.3 | 9.8 | 9.1 | 9.4 | 8.4 | 9.2 | 116.0 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 7.2 | 5.9 | 3.6 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.5 | 5.8 | 24.8 |
Source 1: | |||||||||||||
Source 2: The Weather Channel (records)[38] |
Because of the city's proximity to the Galena River, buildings have been threatened on numerous occasions by flooding. Eventually the Army Corps of Engineers built a dike to prevent city flooding.
- 1828 – In Galena's first recorded flood, water was high enough to allow steamboats to travel on city streets.[39]
- 1937 – A flood inundated Main Street with up to five feet of water, causing serious damage to downtown buildings.[39]
- 1972 – A storm upstream caused the flood gates to be closed but the river flooded the sewage treatment plant and backed up sanitary and storm sewers. Sand bags were placed around storm manholes to keep water from flooding the downtown with 3 feet of water.[citation needed]
- 1993 – Almost eight feet of water threatened downtown Galena, but was stopped by the city's floodgates. Late spring season rainfall led the Mississippi and Galena Rivers to their highest recorded levels.[39][40]
- 2010 – On July 22, eight inches of rainfall in one night caused the river to swell to twice its usual level. The flood gates were closed, protecting downtown, but many businesses and homes reported damages to basements and lower levels. Had the flood gates not been in place, it was estimated that six feet of water would have covered Main Street. Damages were estimated between $7–8 million. President Obama declared the county a federal disaster area on Aug. 19.[41]
- 2011 – In a 12-hour period between July 27 and 28, Galena received between 10 and 15 inches of rain. The Galena River rose to more than twice its normal height and possibly its highest recorded level since the floodgates were erected. The Grant Park sign, built in the 19th century, was washed away and there were major damages to downtown businesses, the city's trail system and roads. Initial damage estimates were around $16 million.[42]
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1850 | 6,004 | — | |
1860 | 8,196 | 36.5% | |
1870 | 7,019 | −14.4% | |
1880 | 6,451 | −8.1% | |
1890 | 5,635 | −12.6% | |
1900 | 5,005 | −11.2% | |
1910 | 4,835 | −3.4% | |
1920 | 4,742 | −1.9% | |
1930 | 3,878 | −18.2% | |
1940 | 4,126 | 6.4% | |
1950 | 4,648 | 12.7% | |
1960 | 4,410 | −5.1% | |
1970 | 3,930 | −10.9% | |
1980 | 3,876 | −1.4% | |
1990 | 3,647 | −5.9% | |
2000 | 3,460 | −5.1% | |
2010 | 3,429 | −0.9% | |
2020 | 3,308 | −3.5% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[43] |
2020 census
As of the
2010 census
As of the
There were 1,632 households, out of which 20.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.0% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.1% were non-families. 39.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.71. In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.5% under the age of 19, 4.2% from 20 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 24.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,409, and the median income for a family was $53,438. Males had a median income of $31,809 versus $30,000 for females. The
Culture
Galena is the home to the Galena Art Center and the Galena Arts and Recreation Center. Turner Hall, a 19th-century building on Bench St., has been restored to serve as a performance venue and a popular wedding site. Galena is also home to several historic sites owned by the State of Illinois including the Old Market House, the Ulysses Grant Home, and the E.B. Washburn Home. The Galena/Jo Daviess County Historical Society also owns a number of historical sites including the Galena and U.S. Grant Museum and the Old Blacksmith Shop. They are building a new museum building at the site of the Stillman Mansion property.
Galena hosts dozens of major events a year, including the annual Halloween Parade which draws thousands of onlookers.
Tourism
Galena is a popular tourist destination hosting well over one million visitors each year.[45] Galena is also popular with Chicagoans, many of whom keep second homes in the area.[46][47] Galena is largely popular as a result of its historic walkable urbanism, a rarity among American cities.[48]
Cityscape
85 percent of the structures in Galena are within the
Galena's
Education
John O. Hancock opened the first school in September 1826.[21] The Galena Academy followed in 1832.[60] Galena is home to Galena High School.
Notable people
The nine generals
Galena was the home to nine Civil War generals.
Grant returned victorious to Galena in 1865 and the citizens gave him an
Gallery
-
Looking east on Main Street.
-
Galena Kandy Kitchen, corner of North Main Street and Hill Street.
-
Belvedere Mansion is the finest and largest mansion in Galena. Built in 1857 for Joseph Russell Jones, influential Civil War-era merchant.
-
Elihu Benjamin Washburne House, on Third Street.
-
A home in Galena.
-
A home in Galena.
-
Homes along Park Avenue.
-
Ulysses S. Grant statue in Grant Park.
-
Ulysses S. Grant Home, designed by William Dennison and constructed in 1859.
-
In April 1860, Grant (1822−1885) and his family moved to Galena, accepting a position in his father's leather goods business.
-
Don McNeill (1907−1996) was an American radio personality, born in Galena.
See also
References
- ^ a b c Galena Area Chamber of Commerce via CommunityLink (November 15, 2004). "Lifestyle, Location & History". Archived from the original on December 5, 2006. Retrieved January 4, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f City of Galena. "History". Archived from the original on February 5, 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2007.
- ^ a b Kett 1878, pp. 458–461.
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ "USGS detail on Newtown". Retrieved October 21, 2007.
- ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census: Galena city, Illinois". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Loew, Patty (2001). Indian Nations of Wisconsin. Wisconsin Historical Society Press. p. 42.
- ^ Galena Historical Society (June 21, 2006). "History Highlights". Retrieved April 13, 2007.
- ^ Mineral Information Institute (October 18, 2004). "Lead". Archived from the original on April 15, 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2007.
- ^ Walthall 1981, p. 3.
- ^ Walthall 1981, pp. 11–12.
- ^ Walthall 1981, p. 15.
- ^ a b Walthall 1981, p. 18.
- ^ Destination 360 (2007). "Galena Illinois". Retrieved April 13, 2007.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Kett 1878, p. 448.
- ^ a b c d QuincyNet (August 2, 2005). "Galena". Archived from the original on November 20, 2006. Retrieved April 13, 2007.
- ^ Kett 1878, p. 451.
- ^ a b Kett 1878, p. 452.
- ISBN 9780938214021. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
- ^ a b Kett 1878, p. 453.
- ^ Walthall 1981, p. 19.
- ^ Kett 1878, p. 274.
- ^ Kett 1878, pp. 275–277.
- ^ Kett 1878, p. 456.
- ^ Kett 1878, p. 464.
- ^ Kett 1878, p. 465.
- ^ Kett 1878, p. 474–475.
- doi:10.3133/b246. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
- ^ McClain, Joseph (July 2, 2019). "Decoding Lake Matoaka's sedimental history of the anthropocene". Williamsburg-Yorktown Daily. Williamsburg, VA. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ United States Census Bureau. "2005 population estimate for Galena city". Archived from the original on February 16, 2009. Retrieved April 13, 2007.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "G001 – Geographic Identifiers – 2010 Census Summary File 1". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
- ^ Illinois Department of Natural Resources (2007). "Illinois' Natural Divisions". Archived from the original on January 13, 2008. Retrieved April 13, 2007.
- The University of Melbourne. Archived from the originalon January 13, 2015. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
- ^ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
- ^ "Station: Galena, IL". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
- The Weather Channel, LLC. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e Galena Historical Society (June 21, 2006). "A Timeline of Galena History". Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2007.
- ^ Maier, David (April 17, 1998). "Wisconsin Journal, Number 26". Archived from the original on September 3, 2006. Retrieved April 13, 2007.
- ^ "Illinois – Severe Storms and Flooding FEMA-1935-DR Declared August 19, 2010" (PDF). Retrieved December 19, 2016.
- ^ Speck, Addison. "Galena Faces Flood Damage After 13.5 Inches Of Rainfall". KCRG.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ Economic Development Archived July 3, 2007, at the Wayback Machine: Approved comprehensive plan, City of Galena, Illinois, (April 15, 2003).
- ^ Road Trip America (November 1, 2005). "Tritowns". Retrieved April 13, 2007.
- ^ Solomon, A. (June 5, 2005). Back to Galena. Chicago Tribune, p. 1, Travel.
- ^ "Why do We Think Walkable Towns Are Only for Tourists?". March 5, 2020.
- ^ APA. "Great Places in America". APA. Archived from the original on March 15, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
- OCLC 1023575788.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - ^ "Galena | United States | Illinois | AFAR". www.afar.com. December 9, 2020. Archived from the original on October 1, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
- ^ "Galena Brewing Company". www.galenabrewery.com. June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ DeSoto House Hotel. "DeSoto House Hotel History". Archived from the original on October 30, 2006. Retrieved January 4, 2007.
- ^ a b "The DeSoto House Story – The Desoto House Hotel". Desotohouse.com. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
- ISBN 9780939301614. Retrieved June 8, 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa. "About Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa". Archived from the original on July 18, 2006. Retrieved January 4, 2007.
- ^ Chestnut Mountain Resort. "About us". Archived from the original on October 5, 2006. Retrieved January 4, 2007.
- ^ Waldinger, Mike (January 30, 2018). "The proud history of architecture in Illinois". Springfield Business Journal. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
- ^ "25 Must See Buildings in Illinois". USA Today. August 9, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
- ^ Kett 1878, p. 457.
- ^ Emery, Tom (December 23, 2011). "Galena sent nine generals to Union cause". QConline.com. Dispatch / Argus. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
- ^ "Galena's Nine Generals". galenahistory.org. Galena & U.S. Grant Museum. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
- ^ Boser, Ulrich. "Galena, Illinois". Smithsonian.com. Smithsonian Magazine.
- ^ "Obituary Notes – Major General Augustus Louis Chetlain" (PDF). The New York Times. March 17, 1914. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
- ^ "Nine Generals of Galena". HistoryNet. Historynet LLC. September 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
Bibliography
- The History of Jo Daviess County, Illinois. Chicago: H. F. Kett & Co. 1878. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
- Walthall, John H. (1981). Galena and Aboriginal Trade in Eastern North America. Springfield, Illinois: Illinois State Museum. p. 3. ISBN 0-89792-090-2. Retrieved November 13, 2014.