Galena is located in northwest Illinois in Jo Daviess County (of which it is the county seat) about 15 miles southeast of Dubuque, IA, along U.S. 20 on the banks of the Galena River 4 miles east of the Mississippi River. The population estimate for July 1, 1998 was about 3,200.
The town, established in 1820's by lead miners and steamboaters, served as the home of Ulysses S. Grant and eight other Union generals.
About 85% of the town's commercial buildings and homes are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Galena's "Great American Post Office", built in 1857 from Nauvoo limestone by Gen. Gen. Eli S. Parker, a Seneca Indian, is the second oldest continuously run post office in the U.S.
The General at Eagle Ridge is a spectacular venue and supreme challenge for area and visiting golfers. Eagle Ridge's four courses combined with the Galena Golf Club give the immediate area five quality golf courses that are the envy of many towns the size of Galena. Other outdoor recreation can be found at Grant City Park.
