A southwesterly view looking toward the Mississippi River and the eastern bluffs of Iowa from Horseshoe Mound Preserve in Jo Daviess County, Located in the northwestern corner of Illinois, Jo Daviess County is known for its scenic stretches of road and valley views, and for Galena, its picturesque county seat.
Tags: Jo Daviess County Illinois IL Rural Landscape Scenic View Mississippi River Hills Farms Farmland Season Summer Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
This French Italianate style victorian mansion was constructed in 1858-59 for Mr. Nelson Stillman, a regional dry goods merchant. The mansion is located a short walk from the home of President Ulysses S. Grant, who was entertained at the home on several occasions.
Stillman became wealthy from his involvement in the shipping operations on the Mississippi River and from organizing wagon trains that were heading out west. He also opened an emporium on Galena's Main Street.
The Stillman's lived in the mansion for over 25 years. Upon Nelson Stillman's death, Mrs. Stillman moved to Chicago to be closer to her relatives. She rented the property out to families until the early 1900s. The property remained a single family home until 1933. It was then converted into a nursing home from 1942 to 1968. A large one story dining room addition was added and porches were enclosed.
From the 1970s until 2017, the mansion served as a bed and breakfast. An adjacent structure (pictured behind the mansion on the left) also had many purposes: a Medieval banquet and dance hall, tea room and wedding chapel.
In 2017 the Galena-Jo Daviess County Historical Society purchased the site to relocate its Galena and U.S. Grant Museum into a new building on the 3.6-acre property. Currently, the building hosts administrative offices of the historical society.
The Stillman House is a contributing property in the Galena Historic District which encompasses 85 percent of the City of Galena and includes more than 800 properties. The Galena Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969, with modifications in 2013.
Galena is the seat of Jo Daviess County in the northwest corner of Illinois. This is the unglaciated area of northwestern Illinois. The rolling hills, history and abundant 19th century architecture draws visitors from throughout the country. The population of Galena at the 2020 census was 3,101.
Tags: Galena Jo Daviess County Northwestern Illinois Northern Illinois Illinois IL Architecture Stillman House Stillman Mansion Galena-Jo Daviess County Historical Society Galena History Museum Future Home Galena and U.S. Grant Museum Museum 513 Bouthillier Street Architectural Style French Italianate Galena Historic District Contributing Property National Register of Historic Places NRHP Reference # 6900056 13000854 Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
A view of the Illinois Central Railroad Depot in Galena, Illinois. The Italianate depot was constructed in 1857. This is purportedly the depot that U.S. Grant, who moved his family to Galena in 1860 before the start of the Civil War, boarded on his way to Washington, D.C. after his election as the 18th President of the United States in 1868. In recent years it has been used as an office for the Chamber of Commerce and a visitors center. The building was closed during my last visit.
The depot is a contributing structure to the Galena Historic District which encompasses 85 percent of the City of Galena and includes more than 800 properties. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969, with modifications in 2013.
Galena is the seat of Jo Daviess County in the northwest corner of Illinois. This is the unglaciated area of northwestern Illinois. The rolling hills, history and abundant 19th century architecture draws visitors from throughout the country. The population of Galena at the 2020 census was 3,101.
Tags: Galena Jo Daviess County Northwestern Northern Illinois IL Architecture Railroad Tracks Depot Station Illinois Central Railroad Depot Galena Depot Architectural Style Italianate Galena Historic District Contributing Structure National Register of Historic Places NRHP Reference # 6900056 13000854 Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Built by Charles Holz in 1899, this two-part commercial block is a contributing structure to the Galena Historic District which encompasses 85 percent of the City of Galena and includes more than 800 properties. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969, with modifications in 2013.
A cafe and lounge known as Otto's Place now occupies the building, which sits on Bouthillier St. from the former Illinois Central Depot and the foot of Depot Park.
Galena is the seat of Jo Daviess County in the northwest corner of Illinois. This is the unglaciated area of northwestern Illinois. The rolling hills, history and abundant 19th century architecture draws visitors from throughout the country. The estimated population of Galena in 2019 was 3,158.
Tags: Galena Jo Daviess County Northwestern Illinois Northern Illinois Illinois IL Architecture 100 Bouthillier St Otto's Place Architectural Style Two-Part Commercial Block Galena Historic District Contributing Structure National Register of Historic Places NRHP Reference # 6900056 13000854 Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
A view of the Italianate Galena Water Works Building. Constructed in 1886, the Water Works Building is a contributing structure to the Galena Historic District which encompasses 85 percent of the City of Galena and includes more than 800 properties. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969, with modifications in 2013.
Galena is the seat of Jo Daviess County in the northwest corner of Illinois. This is the un-glaciated area of northwestern Illinois. The rolling hills, history and abundant 19th century architecture draws visitors from throughout the country. The population of Galena at the 2020 census was 3,101.
Tags: Galena Jo Daviess County Northwestern Illinois Northern Illinois Illinois IL Architecture Galena Water Works Building Architectural Style Italianate Galena Historic District Contributing Structure National Register of Historic Places NRHP Reference # 6900056 13000854 Canon EOS 5D Mark IV