Galena Historic District

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.

From the record

“The Galena Historic District is a historic district located in the city of Galena, Illinois, United States. The historic district encompasses 85 percent of the city of Galena and includes more than 800 properties.”
Wikipedia article Galena Historic District, CC BY-SA 4.0.

One of 17 National Register listings published here for Jo Daviess County · listed in 1969 · category: District.

Sources: the Wikipedia article · the case file at the National Archives · the National Register database, National Park Service

The listing

Address. Galena and environs, Galena, 61036
When was it listed? October 1969
Category. district
Township. West Galena township
National Register reference number. 69000056 - the number the National Park Service assigned this property when it was listed, and the key its nomination file is catalogued under at the National Archives.

The ground it stands on

20,366 words

The chapter on West Galena Township in The History of Jo Daviess County, Illinois, Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, Etc., a Biographical Directory of Its Citizens, War Record of Its Volunteers in the Late Rebellion ... History of the Northwest, History of Illinois ... Constitution of the United States, published 1878 names Galena. This is what it says, exactly as the scans read.

Va., when 17 years of age ; lived there one year, then went to Cincinnati, O., where he remained one year; came to Galena in May, 1850 ; Mr. Armbruster learned cabinet maker's trade when but a little over 14 years of age ; he married Mary Elizabeth Cawthon in April, 1853; she was born in England; they have three children: Ellen F., Mary L. and Henry C. ; they lost one daughter, Elizabeth, who died in 1860, aged 5 years; the family attend the Episcopal Church.

Passage source: The History of Jo Daviess County, Illinois, Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, Etc., a Biographical Directory of Its Citizens, War Record of Its Volunteers in the Late Rebellion ... History of the Northwest, History of Illinois ... Constitution of the United States, published 1878.

May 28, 1857 ; engaged in present business since 1864; married Eliza Balback Oct. 24, 1866 ; she was born in Germany ; they have five children: Emma B., George A., Edward C., Gustav A. and Bertha ; they have lost two children ; Mr. Bahwell served 3 years and 4 months in Co. F, 12th I. V. I. ; he is a member of Steuben Lodge I. O. O. F. No. 321, and Galena Encampment No. 132.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on West Galena Township - 20,366 words on its settlement, mills, schools and churches.

Fires near this property

2 since 1992

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 2 fires within 5 miles of Galena Historic District between 1992 and 2012, burning about 4 acres in total. None started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause	Fires
Recreation and ceremony	2

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

Date	Cause	Size	Reported by	Name on the report
18 March 2012	Recreation and ceremony	3.0 acres	Savanna District, Upper Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge	FERRY LANDING
29 October 1992	Recreation and ceremony	1.5 acres	Savanna District, Upper Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge	ISLAND228

Every fire recorded in Jo Daviess County

Mines and quarries near this property

10 of 186 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 186 workings within 5 miles of Galena Historic District: 139 past producers, 20 occurrences, 13 prospects, 11 unknowns. 3 still produce. What was taken out: Lead, Zinc, Lead, Zinc, Stone, Crushed/Broken. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Site	Commodity	Status	Recorded
Bell Prospect	Zinc, Iron, Lead	Occurrence
Blewett Mine	Zinc, Iron, Lead	Past Producer	1917, 1919, 1920
Buck Hill Mine	Iron, Zinc	Past Producer
Eagle-Picher Mine	Zinc, Cadmium, Lead	Past Producer
Eagle-Picher Mine	Cadmium, Zinc, Lead	Past Producer
Gray Mine	Zinc, Cadmium	Unknown	1926, 1944, 1949
Little Corporal Mine	Lead, Zinc, Iron	Past Producer
Southcott Prospect	Iron, Lead, Zinc	Prospect
Dixon Quarry E. Wienen	Stone	Past Producer
Jo Daviess Cty Hwy Dept Pit	Stone	Past Producer

Every working recorded in Jo Daviess County

Storms near this property

60 of 75 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Galena, the town this property stands in, in 75 storm reports between 1995 and 2026: 38 thunderstorm wind, 14 hail, 12 flash flood, 8 heavy rain. The reports record 1 injury. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

When	Event	Place named	Harm	What the report says
July 2009	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	1 hurt, $50,000	Wind gusts estimated to be 70 mph blew a semi truck over onto a car on Highway 20 near Mount Hope Road about 1 mile east of Galena, IL around 655 pm July 24. One person was injured. In addition, several trees were blown down in the area.
April 2010	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	$250,000	Wind gusts estimated to be 70 mph ripped the roof off of Tri State Screen Printing and Embroidery located at 11530 Technical Drive about 3 miles west northwest of Galena, IL around 1110 pm April 5.
July 2004	Hail	Galena	$240,000	Also reported by law enforcement and the general public. Hail ranged in size from 1.50 inches to 2.50 inches.
June 2010	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	$25,000	Wind gusts estimated to be 70 mph blew a tree down onto a house in Galena, IL at 155 pm June 18. The local utility company also reported several outages due to trees on power lines and trees down in the right-of-way.
May 2008	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	$25,000	Winds estimated to be 70 mph blew down numerous trees across the entire county between 9 and 10 pm.
July 2022	Lightning	Galena	$20,000	The Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Department reported that lightning struck their office and damaged a fire alarm and computer equipment, and disabled their 911 connection.
July 2004	Flash Flood	Galena	$20,000	Water 12 inches deep or better running down the streets in and near the downtown area. Many streets impassable.
July 2004	Hail	Galena	$14,000	Also reported by law enforcement. Hail ranged from 0.88 inches to 1 inch.
August 2007	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	$10,000	Winds estimated to be 70 mph blew down several branches in the vicinity of Galena, IL. The public works department reported that two truckloads of branches have been removed. The utility company reports that some branches fell onto power lines. Delayed report.
March 2005	Hail	Galena	$10,000	Also reported by Co-op. Hail ranging from 1 inch to 1.75 inches covered the ground in Galena.
June 2004	Flash Flood	Galena	$10,000	Numerous roads under water with depths ranging from 6 inches to 3 feet; Known roads closed include Field Street, Stagecoach Trail Rd, and intersection of Spring and U.S. 20
July 2017	Flood	Galena	$5,000	The county emergency manager reported that the Galena River was flooded and the flood gates are closed in Galena. Numerous grade crossings were under water or damaged.
August 2008	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	$5,000	Wind gusts estimated to be 60 mph ripped the siding off the west side of a residence 3 miles southeast of Galena, IL at 530 pm August 4.
May 2004	Heavy Rain	Galena	$5,000	1 inch of rain in 15 minutes. Yards flooded.
June 2005	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	$4,000	Power lines sagging at U.S. 20 and Blackjack Road
June 1998	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	$3,000	Numerous trees were downed by strong thunderstorm winds from Galena to Stockton.
May 2004	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	$3,000	no account filed
October 2004	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	$1,000	The squall line produced a downburst that leveled a tree along Pilot Knob Road south of Galena, blocking traffic.
July 2004	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	$1,000	10 inch diameter tree snapped.
July 2000	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	$1,000	Law enforcement reported thunderstorm winds downed a tree and several power lines.
June 1998	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	$1,000	Several large tree limbs were blown down.
May 2000	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	$1,000	no account filed
August 2007	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	$500	Winds estimated to be 65 mph blew down a tree across a road near Galena, IL.
April 2026	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	-	Several tree branches down between 2 and 4 inches in diameter.
April 2026	Flash Flood	Galena	-	Reported from Mping.
April 2026	Flash Flood	Galena	-	Davis Creek on the southeast side of Galena is out of its banks near 4th and Blackjack Road. 6 feet higher than normal. water running across the road.
April 2026	Hail	Galena	-	Reported from Mping.
April 2026	Hail	Galena	-	Reported on Mping.
April 2026	Hail	Galena	-	Reported on Mping.
May 2024	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	-	Galena and nearby territory had trees down and some barn roof damage. Time estimated from radar data.
June 2023	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	-	Trees reported blown down with power outages.
July 2023	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	-	Rounds of severe storms resulted in several trees down within the county, with trees down over wires in Galena.
July 2022	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	-	Law Enforcement reported a tree down on a house in the city limits, The time of the event was estimated using radar.
June 2021	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	-	A large tree branch was reported down.
October 2019	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	-	Broadcast media relayed a report of numerous branches and one maple tree blown down.
June 2019	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	-	A trained spotter reported a large 9 to 12 inch diameter tree limb down.
June 2017	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	-	Tree limbs were blown down.
August 2016	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	-	Law Enforcement reported that a tree was blown down on Miner Road east of Galena.
March 2016	Hail	Galena	-	Hail the size of a half inch in diameter up to the size of quarters was reported.
June 2016	Flash Flood	Galena	-	Law enforcement reported flash flooding in the city of Galena.
July 2016	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	-	A few trees were down near Guildford Road and Stagecoach Trail. The time of the event was estimated based on radar.
July 2016	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	-	A state official reported power lines were down from strong winds.
June 2015	Flash Flood	Galena	-	Law enforcement reported several roads flooded in Galena, and resulted in several roads barricaded and closed. Three to five inches of rain fell in the vicinity of Galena the afternoon and evening of June 11.
June 2015	Flash Flood	Galena	-	Water blocked a road in Galena.
April 2014	Hail	Galena	-	A public report of hail slightly larger than a quarter.
June 2014	Flash Flood	Galena	-	A trained spotter reported water 12 to 18 inches deep along the sides of the road.
May 2014	Hail	Galena	-	Quarter sized hail fell about 2 miles southeast of Galena, IL at 526 pm CDT May 20.
May 2014	Hail	Galena	-	A Facebook user reported that quarter sized hail fell in Galena, IL around 530 pm CDT May 20.
May 2013	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	-	A large 22 inch diameter tree was snapped a foot off the ground.
June 2013	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	-	Law enforcement reported several trees down.
July 2011	Heavy Rain	Galena	-	As of 700 am CDT July 28, the 24 hour rainfall total 2 miles east southeast of Galena, IL was 13.45 inches.
July 2011	Tornado (EF0)	Galena	-	At 718 pm CDT July 27, a tornado was sited 1 mile northwest of the intersection of Highway 20 and Highway 84 or about 4 miles northwest of Galena, IL.
July 2011	Heavy Rain	Galena	-	A storm total of 13.45 inches was reported in Galena.
April 2010	Hail	Galena	-	Quarter sized hail fell in Galena, IL at 1108 pm April 5.
April 2010	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	-	Wind gusts estimated to be 60 mph were observed in Galena, IL around 1108 pm April 5.
June 2008	Flash Flood	Galena	-	Heavy rain resulted in flash flooding of Spring Street in Galena, IL around 8:40 pm June 8. The street was closed by law enforcement officials until flood waters receded.
June 2008	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	-	Wind gusts estimated to be 60 mph were observed in Galena, IL at 1:53 pm June 20. Pea-sized hail was also noted.
June 2008	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	-	Wind gusts estimated to be 65 mph blew down a tree across Highway 20 east of Galena, IL at 2:06 pm June 20. This report was relayed by WREX-TV in Rockford.
June 2008	Hail	Galena	-	Nickel-sized hail fell near Galena, IL at 2:30 pm June 20. This report is from the NSSL SHAVE Project.
July 2008	Thunderstorm Wind	Galena	-	Wind gusts estimated to be 60 mph blew down a 3 to 4 inch diameter branch in Galena, IL around 12:00 pm July 31.

Every storm recorded in Jo Daviess County

Map coverage status

No historic map-sheet match is published for this property yet. That does not mean no map exists. This record needs a coordinate-quality review before it can be joined to a sheet boundary. Browse the county's mapped places while that work is pending.

Listed places nearby

5 within 8 miles

Other National Register properties close enough to walk or drive between, ordered by distance from this one. Both positions come from the same geocoding pass that matched these properties to their map sheets.

Property	Distance	Listed
Old Market House	0.2 miles	1973
Elihu Benjamin Washburne House	0.4 miles	1973
Ulysses S. Grant House	0.5 miles	1966
Henry W. Miller House	2.7 miles	2010
Charles Wenner House	3.1 miles	1984

Sources for this property

National Archives record	The nomination case file for reference 69000056 in Record Group 79.
Wikipedia article	Community-written account of this property, licensed CC BY-SA.
Jo Daviess County	All 17 listed properties in this county.

Provenance

Listing record. National Park Service National Register of Historic Places, listed-properties dataset, current to 2026-05-22.
Map join. Address geocoded through the United States Census geocoder, then tested against the published boundary of every sheet in the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection.
How this page is made. Listing fields come from federal records; map-sheet coverage is a labelled coordinate-to-boundary calculation, not a source-field claim.
Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.