Midwest Destination:
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Climb high in the air to get a scenic view of Galena Territory - the rolling hills, the checkered croplands, the trees, the little roads - the entire valley. Beautiful in any season. Of course, for the best view, pick a bright, sunny day - that isn't too windy.
85 miles W of Rockford on Hwy 20, just W of Elizabeth as you're heading towards Galena and 40 miles E of the Illinois-Iowa border. 96 steps. 9 landings. 3 viewing levels. 75.5 ft above ground level. 1069.5 ft above sea level. Built in 1983 by IDOT. |
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"Prior to 1820, Indians and occasional white traders occupied
Lapointe, the name given to the present site of Galena. The
settlement grew rapidly in 1823 and 1824 as each boat deposited
new arrivals on the banks of the Fever [now Galena] River. The
town was laid out in 1826, and the changed to Galena
[Latin for sulphide of lead]. Terror reigned in the region during
the Blackhawk War in 1832, but the suppression of the Indians
cleared the way for unrestricted white settlement.
"As supply center for the mines and shipping point for the
growing river commerce, Galena became a thriving city when Chicago
was still a swamp village. Galena's zenith arrived in the 1840's
and residents lavished money on elaborate houses, many of which
still stand today. By the 1850's the surface lead deposits were
depleted; the Galena River, once over 300 feet wide, began to
gather silt; and the railroads started to take the river commerce.
"Ulysses S. Grant arrived here in 1860 to work in his father's
leather store. A year later this still obscure clerk marched
off to the Civil War; in 1865, he returned in triumph to a gift
mansion donated by his Galena neighbors. Grant was so prominent
that he overshadowed the town's eight other Civil War
generals.
"In 1869, after his election as President of the United States, Grant appointed his Galena friends John A Rawlins, Secretary of War; Elihu B Washburne, Secretary of
Ely S Parker, Commissioner of Indian Affairs."
Have fun in your own backyard!
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