Galena 2026

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Galena 2026 Galena, Illinois will celebrate her bicentennial in 2026 with a series of events throughout the year and special attention to other events.

200 Years, Endless Facts! Galena’s Dowling House, built in 1826–27, was recognized as a contributing property to the Gal...
10/18/2026

200 Years, Endless Facts! Galena’s Dowling House, built in 1826–27, was recognized as a contributing property to the Galena Historic District.

Believed to be Galena’s oldest building, the limestone home once served as a trading post and residence.

Nearly 200 years of history in one remarkable building!

10/17/2026

200 Years, Endless Facts! In 1856, the Illinois Central Railroad constructed Galena’s first railroad bridge.

Railroads were changing how people and goods moved — and helping connect Galena to the wider region.

10/16/2026

200 Years, Endless Facts! October 16, 1851 — Fire in Downtown Galena

Around 2:30 p.m., a fire broke out behind the Globe Hotel on Main Street.

Before the alarm could spread and firefighters could respond, the building was engulfed. The flames quickly spread through the wooden buildings along Main Street.

Galena’s history has been shaped by both its triumphs — and the challenges its citizens faced together.

200 Years, Endless Facts! The Ulysses S. Grant Home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.Built ...
10/15/2026

200 Years, Endless Facts! The Ulysses S. Grant Home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.

Built between 1859 and 1860, the home belonged to Galena resident, Civil War General, and future 18th U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant.

10/14/2026

200 Years, Endless Facts! The St. Joseph’s Benevolent Association was organized in Galena on this day in 1869.

Another reminder of the organizations and community connections that helped shape Galena’s history.

200 Years, Endless Facts! Built between 1847 and 1850 in the Greek Revival style, the Henry W. Miller House was added to...
10/13/2026

200 Years, Endless Facts! Built between 1847 and 1850 in the Greek Revival style, the Henry W. Miller House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.

Miller was a flour wholesaler who played an important role in Galena’s flour industry.

200 Years, Endless Facts! On October 11, 1886, the Galena Daily Gazette reported the launch of the Galena Brewery by Cas...
10/11/2026

200 Years, Endless Facts! On October 11, 1886, the Galena Daily Gazette reported the launch of the Galena Brewery by Casper Eulberg and his two sons.

200 Years, Endless Facts! On October 10, 1848 the Pioneer, the first railroad locomotive to operate in Chicago, arrived ...
10/10/2026

200 Years, Endless Facts! On October 10, 1848 the Pioneer, the first railroad locomotive to operate in Chicago, arrived at the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad.

200 Years, Endless Facts! In 1937 Galena homes were quickly moving into the modern age by becoming electrified. Even by ...
10/09/2026

200 Years, Endless Facts! In 1937 Galena homes were quickly moving into the modern age by becoming electrified. Even by Galena's oldest citizens such as Margaret Gardner, 83 in the photo below, who spent a great deal of her life restoring the Old Stockade.

Galena has long been a cross-section of respect for history and modern progress.

Address

720 Park Avenue
Galena, IL
61036

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