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Flag of Galena, Illinois

Galena, Illinois
City
The City of Galena
Downtown Galena, Illinois
Downtown Galena, Illinois
Flag of Galena, Illinois
Flag
Official seal of Galena, Illinois
Seal
Etymology: Named for The lead sulfide ore galena
Location of Galena in Jo Daviess County, Illinois.
Location of Galena in Jo Daviess County, Illinois.
Location of Illinois in the United States
Location of Illinois in the United States
Coordinates: 42°25′N 90°26′W / 42.417°N 90.433°W / 42.417; -90.433Coordinates: 42°25′N 90°26′W / 42.417°N 90.433°W / 42.417; -90.433
Country United States
State Illinois
County Jo Daviess
Township East Galena, West Galena, and Rawlins
Settled 1690s (French)
Founded 1826
Incorporated 1835
Chartered 1841
Government
 • Type Galena City Hall
 • Mayor Terrence Renner
 • City Council
Area
 • Total 4.41 sq mi (11.43 km2)
 • Land 4.41 sq mi (11.41 km2)
 • Water 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation 633 ft (193 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 3,429
 • Estimate (2016) 3,255
 • Density 738.77/sq mi (285.26/km2)
Time zone North American Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP Code(s) 61036
Area code(s) 815
FIPS code 17-28300
Galena, Illinois
Website http://www.cityofgalena.org/

Galena is the largest city in and the county seat of Jo Daviess County, Illinois, with a population of 3,429 at the 2010 census. A 581-acre (235 ha) section of the city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Galena Historic District. It is named for the mineral galena, which was mined by Native Americans in the area for over a thousand years. Owing to these deposits, Galena was the site of the first major mineral rush in the United States. The first American settler arrived in 1821, and by 1828, the population was estimated at 10,000, rivaling the population of Chicago at the time. The city emerged as the largest steamboat hub on the Mississippi River north of St. Louis, Missouri. Galena was the home of Ulysses S. Grant and eight other Civil War generals. Today, the city is a tourist destination known for its history, architecture, and resorts.

The city is named for galena, the natural form of lead sulfide (PbS) and the most important lead ore.Native Americans mined the ore for use in burial rituals. The Havana Hopewell first traded galena in the area during the Middle Woodland period (c. 1–400 CE). However, the use of galena in the Havana territory is uncertain; very little has been identified in burial mounds. During the Mississippian period (900–1500 CE), galena saw use as body paint.


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