Filmed on Sunday, November 19 2023, I drive around Galena, IL to see what's going on.
The city derives it's name from the mineral galena, a form of lead sulfide which was mined in the area.
The area's lead deposits were first recorded by French explorers in 1658 and became known as mines de plumb by 1703. The Sac and Fox tribes inhabited the region when the French began lead mining in the 1690s.
After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the settlement, then called La Pointe and later "The Point," came under American control. George Davenport shipped the first boatload of lead ore in 1816, marking the beginning of significant American settlement and mining activities. The Thomas H. January family, arriving in 1821, were among the first permanent settlers.
Galena experienced a boom with the Dowling House, built in 1826-27, being the oldest standing structure. The town's name, officially adopted in 1827, was a result of a town meeting, and the government leased out mining plots. Galena’s population surged to 10,000 by 1828, driven by lead mining. However, tensions with local Native American tribes, like the Mesquakie and Ho-Chunk, grew due to land encroachments.
Galena's peak mining period was between 1840 and 1850, with the region producing 87% of the U.S. lead output by 1852.
As a Mississippi River hub, Galena connected St. Louis and St. Paul, but the river's erosion later made it inaccessible to steamboats. The Galena and Chicago Union Railroad aimed to connect Galena and Chicago, but only reached Freeport by 1853. The town gained national attention in the 1860s as Ulysses S. Grant’s home.
Galena's significance waned with the decline in lead demand, and its population dwindled from 14,000 in the mid-19th century to about 3,396 in the early 21st century. The city, however, preserved its historical heritage, with 85% of its structures within the Galena Historic District. Main Street, known for its historical architecture, is a significant tourist attraction.
Galena’s recent history involves a shift towards tourism, with Main Street revitalized to emphasize its historic charm. The town hosts events like the Country Fair in Grant Park and has become a popular destination, partly due to its wineries and historical sites, including the Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site and the DeSoto House Hotel, the oldest operating hotel in Illinois.
#driving #drivingtour #travel
