The city is named for the mineral galena, which was in the ore that formed the basis for the region's early lead mining economy.

[16] George Davenport, a retired colonel in the United States Army, successfully shipped Galena's first boatload of lead ore in 1816 down the Mississippi River.

This established the first courts in Galena; previous legal proceedings were heard in front of the Superintendent of Lead Mines.

[22] Local native tribes, then mostly Meskwaki and Ho-Chunk, permitted settlers to mine in established areas in Galena.

However, the growth of the city led settlers to encroach on native land claims, as they sought new veins of lead.

[23] Following a murder of a pioneer family near Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, by the Winnebago, Galena closed its mines for safety and European-American residents prepared for war.

[27] A state law governing local jurisdictions resulted in the town holding its first elections for mayor and aldermen on May 24, 1841, to replace the board of trustees.

Trackage between Freeport and Galena was completed by the Illinois Central Railroad in 1854, and later extended west to Dubuque, Sioux City, and Council Bluffs.

[2][31] Galena's official flag was adopted in 1976 to symbolize mining, agriculture, steamboats, and the nine American Civil War generals who lived in the city.

[citation needed] Since that time Galena's business district has emphasized its historic assets in the face of suburban development.

Clingman's and Hartig's relocated to the outskirts of Galena, while Stair's and Sullivan's closed their doors permanently because of competition.

[citation needed] The Country Fair in Grant Park has been an attraction that has helped increase tourist traffic to Galena as a destination.

A committee worked on outreach efforts with the community to form a vision of what residents wanted Galena to focus on for the next decade: five major concepts have been supported.

[33] Galena is located in the Driftless Zone, an area that was not covered by glaciers during the recent ice ages.

[39] Galena's Congressman, Leo E. Allen, helped acquire funding for city floodgates which were added in 1951 to connect to the river levee system.

Turner Hall, a 19th-century building on Bench St., has been restored to serve as a performance venue and a popular wedding site.

Galena hosts dozens of major events a year, including the annual Halloween Parade which draws thousands of onlookers.

Efforts to improve the existing infrastructure while preserving the character of this neighborhood continued in 2003 with the adoption of a comprehensive plan.

The plan outlines details on burying utilities, replacing parking with bike lanes and several beautification initiatives.

This historic district has garnered the attention of dozens of volunteer groups who work to beautify and increase the utility of the area.

Trolley Cars follow parade routes north and south on Main Street and connect shopping to parks and wineries.

[51] Main Street in downtown Galena has a large number of specialty shops, restaurants, a brewery,[52] and multiple wineries.

Galena's Saint Michael's Church was founded by the pioneer priest Father Samuel Mazzuchelli.

[54] Other famous guests include Theodore Roosevelt, Mark Twain, Susan B. Anthony, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Horace Greeley, Frances Willard, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Robert E. Lee, Chief Black Hawk, Millard Fillmore, and Zachary Taylor.

[61][62] Foremost among these is Ulysses S. Grant, who first came to Galena with his wife Julia and children in 1860 to work in the family tannery and leather-good shop.

Through the support of local congressman Elihu B. Washburne, Grant became Galena's first general when promoted by Abraham Lincoln on May 17, 1861.

Victories at Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain prompted Lincoln to promote Grant to lieutenant general on March 3, 1864, giving him command of all Union Armies.

[64] Jeweler John E. Smith, who raised the 45th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, was also brevetted a major general.

Ely S. Parker drafted the Appomattox surrender terms of the Confederacy and was the only Native American general of the Union.

Brevetted brigadier general John C. Smith later served as Illinois Treasurer, Lieutenant Governor, and Grand Master of the state Masonic order.