At the Galena Fair in 1911, the big attraction was an “airship,” a bi-plane piloted by Harry Powers.  

In just two weeks time, a team of lawyers set up two corporations, bought a farm, built a stage and all the accompanying structures, and put on a festival for 30,000 – 50,000 people.

And it could have happened in Galena…

Galena is the Latin name for the highest quality of lead sulfide from which lead is produced.  It was lead that brought people to the Galena area by the thousands during the early nineteenth century.

The first Corn Boil took place at Hughlett’s Bottom, at the end of Dewey Avenue.  The Gazette reported an “estimated 800 persons” attended. 

The very first “Corn Boil” was held for the “Installation of Pup Tent and Initiation of Officers of the newly organized Military Order of the Cooties, Tarfu Pup Tent….”

Taken from the pages of the Galena Gazette

On December 14, 1926, Galenians assembled at 120 Bench Street to celebrate the Centennial and hear stories told by descendants of Galena’s early pioneers.