Page 138 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Chicago

136  BEY OND CHIC A GO

7 Galena

A visit to Galena, “the town that time forgot,” is like stepping
into a bygone era. More than 85 percent of this town, in Jo
Daviess County, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Its architectural gems, museums, and unique landscape
make Galena a great weekend destination. As early as the
1600s, Indians were mining the area’s rich deposits of lead
and ore. In the 1820s, as prospectors flocked to Galena,
the town became one of the US’s most important mining
centers. By the mid-1800s, it was a major Mississippi River The old town hall, built in 1872, in historic
East Galena
port. But as rail displaced shipping as the mode of freight
transportation, the town went into decline. The expense Galena attorney and later US
of tearing down the old buildings ensured that its historic congressman Elihu Washburne
core remained intact. (1816–87). Washburne was a
comrade of Abraham Lincoln
and a strong supporter of the
P Belvedere Mansion career of Ulysses S. Grant. It was
1008 Park Ave. Tel (815) 777-0747. in the library of Washburne’s
Open 11am–3:30pm daily; home that Grant first heard the
11am–5pm Sat. Closed Nov– news that he had won the 1868
A trolley tour is a great way to Memorial Day. & 8 ∑ galena US presidential election.
explore Galena belvederemansion.com The restored interior of the
Built in 1857 for J. Russell Jones, house reflects Victorian middle-
Exploring Galena a steamship owner and US class elegance.
The best way to explore Galena ambassador to Belgium, the
is on foot or by trolley tour. Italianate-style Belvedere P Ulysses S. Grant Home
Downtown parking is limited; Mansion is the largest house 500 Bouthillier St. Tel (815) 777-3310.
it is best to park at the lot by in Galena. Open Apr–Oct: 9am–4:45pm Wed–
the visitors’ center at the old Completely restored to its Sun. Nov–Mar: 9am–4pm, Wed–Sun.
railroad depot. original condition, the 22 rooms Closed public hols. & 8
Galena has a number of contain Victorian furnishings. mandatory. 7 ∑ granthome.com
noteworthy historic churches. Pieces include furniture once This two-story, brick Italianate (see
The Union Baptist Church belonging to former US p28) house designed by William
(1854) features a Romanesque president Theo dore Roosevelt, Dennison was constructed in
Revival doorway, and the a gold-painted cabinet once 1860. It was given to returning
enchanting First Presbyterian owned by entertainer Liberace, Civil War hero General Ulysses S.
Church (1838) has a Georgian and green drapes from the film Grant by a group of prominent
spire. The 1838 Erban organ set of Gone with the Wind. Galena citizens in 1865.
is still played at the Gothic Even though Grant spent little
Revival-style (see p28) Grace P Washburne House time in the house after being
Episcopal Church. 908 Third St. Tel (815) 777-3310. elected US president in 1868, it
The Galena post office Open 10am–4pm Fri. & 8 has been restored to its 1870s
(1857–9) was originally the mandatory: on the hour and appearance and contains
Galena Customs House and is half-hour. 7 ∑ granthome.com furnishings used by the Grant
the second-oldest continuously A stunning example of Greek family. Costumed guides lead
operating post office in the US. Revival architecture, this house visitors through the house while
was built in 1843 for prominent telling Grant’s story.
n Old Train Depot
101 Bouthillier St. Tel (847) 464-2536.
Open Memorial Day weekend–Oct:
9am–5pm Mon–Thu; 9am–7pm Fri,
Sat; 10am–5pm Sun. Nov–Memorial
Day weekend: 9am–5pm Mon–Sat;
10am–4pm Sun. 7
Originally Galena’s station for
passenger rail service, it was
from here that former US
president Ulysses S. Grant set off
for war. The 1857 Italian ate (see
p28) building is now the Visitor
Information Center. The Old Illinois Central Railroad Depot now housing Galena’s visitors’ center

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm