Galena's Story
This is our growing collection of websites with interesting information about Galena, Illinois' history.
Please use our contact form to submit links to be included on this list.
About Galena
Galena, Illinois
- 1937 WPA American Series Guide
Galena, Illinois Wiki
- Wikipedia page for Galena, Illinois
Smithsonian Magazine
- May 2007 article about Galena
Galena
- Mississippi Valley Traveler
Newspapers
University of Illinois Digital Newspaper Collection
- archive of Galena's early newspapers, 1828 - 1952 and growing
Photography
Galena Tours
- a walking guide of Galena's historic district
Alfred W Mueller Historical Photographs
- old photos of Galena from one of our treasured collectors
Galena's Historical Architecture Survey
- details of Galena's historic district structures
Library of Congress
- collection of photos, sketches, drawings, pamphlets, and other artifacts
Lawrence Hotel surrounded by flood waters
Local Websites
The Galena Foundation
- dedicated to preserving the history, culture, and quality of life
Galena Historical Society
- Galena History Museum
Galena Public Library
- home of the Alfred W Mueller Historical Collections Room
City of Galena
- from the City of Galena website, a brief narrative of Galena.
Early Settlers
Dr Moses Meeker and Lead Mining
- Wisconsin Historical Society
When the Gratiots Came to Galena
- story of early Galena pioneers
Galena's Old Stockade
- a short history of the early settlement of Galena
Abode of a Statesman
- Elihu Washburne
Meet Me in Heaven
- Confronting Death Along the Galena Trail Road
Mining
Galena History
- Mining History Association, history of lead district
Galena, Illinois During the Lead Mine Era
- master's thesis by Gary Henry
The People Were Literally Crazy
- the Lead and Zinc Mining Resources of Jo Daviess County, Illinois, Illinois Archaeology
Steamboats
The "Virginia", the "Clermont" of the Mississippi
- details of the first steamboat to navigate the Upper Mississippi
By Steamboat Up the Mississippi: Galena, Illinois
- details of one man's journey from Galena to St Paul on a steamboat
The Port of Galena
- tongue-in-cheek anecdote of the "rivalry" between Dubuque, Iowa and Galena, Illinois
The Steamboat Era of Illinois
- brief mention of Galena; rise and fall of steamboat traffic
The Steamboat Age on the Upper Mississippi
- tells Galena's story on pages 19-20
Steamboats brought goods and immigrants from all over the world, and left with tons of lead and other manufactured merchandise.