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Historic Galena Homes: Holiday Trip

My family did something a little different this year for Christmas. We took a trip to historic Galena and spent four days together to celebrate the holiday. Galena is a popular get-away location due to its scenic rolling hills and rich history.

Historic Brick Victorian Home in Galena

 

Galena used to be the largest city in Illinois, back in the early 1800s when residents were getting very wealthy from lead mining. The town was extremely prosperous as you can tell from the numerous beautiful homes.

Grand Old Victorian Home with Turret and Wrap Around Porch

 

Illinois is one of the flattest states, second only to Florida. But you’ll find beautiful rolling hills and amazing scenery in Galena, located in the northwest corner near the Mississippi River. I love the town for its abundance of historic homes.

Brick Bed and Breakfast Home in Galena

 

I believe Galena has the most bed and breakfast lodging of any town in the United States. I try to stay in a different home every time we visit.

Guest Lodging in Galena, Illinois

 

When you walk around Galena’s residential streets, your legs get a really good workout. We climbed one set of stairs frpm Main Street to the residential area that included 219 steps!

Historic Brick Home with Mansard Roof

 

Galena enjoys a variety of architectural styles. During our stay, we took one of their famous ghost tours which was a lot of fun.

Blue Clapboard House with Wrap Around Porch

 

Blue Clapboard House with Wrap Around Porch

 

Not all homes in historic Galena are big. Some are small and quite cute, like this one perched along the hillside above town.

Hillside Brick Home in Galena

 

The sign above the door says “Osprey’s Nest,” rather appropriate considering its location.

Hillside Brick Home in Galena - Osprey Nest

 

Here’s another smaller home that’s simple but cute.

Historic Clapboard Home Decorated for Christmas

 

Although historic Galena is dotted with older homes, there are newer homes as well. You can see a beautiful new house up on the hill just beyond a pair of historic structures.

Scenic View in Galena, Illinois

 

Al Capone used to hang out in Galena during the prohibition days. He was trafficking alcohol across the Mississippi River from Dubuque, Iowa to Galena before transporting it to Chicago.

Historic Brick Home with Mansard Roof

 

This is the Belvedere Mansion that you can tour. The period furnishings are true to the era in which the home was built. Isn’t it beautiful?

Belvedere Mansion in Galena

 

The first memory I have of Galena is traveling here as a little girl with my grandparents for a day trip. I’ve loved it ever since.

Light Blue Victorian Home

 

In addition to all the historic houses, the Main Street has a lot of little shops and great restaurants.

Stately Brick Home with Two Story Porch

 

Yellow Clapboard Victorian House

 

Here’s a couple more historic places where you can stay in historic Galena. The Farmer’s Guest House

Farmers Guest House in Galena

 

… and the Renaissance and Riverboat Suites.

Riverboat Suites in Illinois

 

I wish there’d been snow on the ground during our Christmas trip, but it was about 45 degrees every day we were there (not that I’m complaining!).

Red Brick Victorian Historic Home

 

Perhaps the most famous attraction in Galena is the home of former president, Ulysses S. Grant. I remember touring this house for the first time during my trip with my grandparents.

Home of Ulysses S. Grant

 

For our family holiday trip, we stayed in this newer home located just outside of the town in Galena Territory. We needed a large house for all twelve of us. The houses in the territory are more spread out and ours was in a secluded woodsy area. You can view pictures of the inside here.

Galena Territory Home on VRBO

 

Our holiday family trip was so much fun we’re making it a tradition. Instead of buying gifts for each other, we took our trip instead. Everyone did buy gifts for the kiddos, though. When all families chip in for the house rental, it ends up being cheaper than everyone getting a hotel room. And it’s nice to all be together under the same roof!

 

Enjoy More of My Galena Trips:

Little Brick Houses in Galena

A Walking Tour of Historic Galena

Christmas in Galena, Illinois

 

 

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12 Comments

  1. Wow. What a great trip for your family and the memories being made are for forever, passed down from generation to generation, as with you and your grandfather. Galena is beautiful and the history there is most interesting.

    1. Beautiful presentation.Been there.Used to own home at 3 Greenwood Trail. Galena Territory.Former Association Manager and Asst Fire Chief when everything at territory first started.Marty and Maria Carroll.Now live in Palestine,Texas.

  2. I love seeing old houses so today’s post was the bestest! I love seeing photos inside as well as outside, too, so I’ll be taking a deeper look at the Galena Bed & Breakfast places. Thank you for featuring this town. Would love to see more of it.

    1. Hi I am one of the historians of Galena and lunch very in the city, almost 80 percent of the city us on the historical record. One error in article is that Galena and beautiful homes are do to lead mining. The mines at that time where owned by the US Government and nearly all lead for lead did come from Galena in 1840s and 1850s. However the money was made from shipping and trade off the Mississippi, making it one of the largest trading centers n the country for a period of time.

  3. I loved visiting Galena when I lived in the Chicago area. Dubuque, Iowa, was one of my public relations clients and it has an amazing amount to offer as well. Such a fun post and I’m glad you finally got to enjoy Christmas with the whole family in this lovely little town and are making it a tradition.

  4. I’m a Galena resident and feel privileged to live here. Many of the smaller historical homes are miners’ cottages from the mid to late 1800’s. When lead was discovered, miners’ from Cornwall and Wales immigrated to the area. Lead from mines in the Tri-state area was turned into ammunition for the Union army at the “shot tower” in nearby Dubuque, IA.

  5. What a fun place to get away to!!
    You’re so right about everyone chipping in to book a home instead of staying in separate rooms or spaces. So much less expensive and memory building. We also choose meals to be responsible for and all compete for the coveted “Gibboney Cookoff Champion” trophy. Thanks for sharing this town and amazing homes!

  6. What a lovely town! I had heard a lot about it, but never saw any pictures. Each house is unique and lovely! I would love to have seen the interior of the little house perched on the hill! I bet each home is a beauty inside as it is out! Thanks for sharing.

  7. The little house perched on the hill, promptly named the Osprey Nest back in the 50s by the owner, who was a children’s author. It belongs to my grandparents, and has since 2014. It was built in 1851, and was owned first by a Confederate who was imprisoned, and then by a good friend of President Grant’s, who was also his bishop of the local parish. The house is dear to our hearts for it’s coziness and history, and I’m proud it caught your eye! Thank you for your flattering descriptions of our Nest!

    1. Hi Hailey!

      Thanks for sharing the information about Osprey Nest. I think I walk past that house every time we visit Galena. Your grandparents are so lucky to own it! So many beautiful homes in that neighborhood.