Galena, Illinois - Weathering The Storm

While traveling on vacation last week in 3 days of purpetual rain I was presented with an opportunity to stay the weekend in Galena, Illinois. Noted as an art and historical destination, Galena is nestled in the rolling hills of northwest Illinois and is accessible via a white knuckle drive on the curvy, truck choked highway 20. Galena's history includes 9 US civil war generals including Ulysses S Grant, whom later became president of the United States, and a booming lead mining industry. Once the lead was gone somewhere around the 1930s, Galena's boom became a bust. One local merchant states.."because no one had money, they were prevented them from remodeling the buildings and destroying the charm and originality of the town". I have to agree.
My stay was at the DeSoto House Hotel. It was built in 1855 and sits right on Main Street accompanied by a string of shops, galleries, and eateries. Catching my eye was the virtually non-existant vacancy rate, which for some destination towns in this economy is a significant issue. A favorite stop of mine was the Galena Artists Guild Art Gallery. It is an artists cooperative where the artists themselves staff and work the gallery. A truely wonderful idea allowing would be purchasers the opportunity to relate the art with the artist.
Next time you are traveling in the northwest region of Illinois bordering Iowa and Wisconsin, think about stopping in Galena for a visit. With a very full and active special event calender throughout the year, I doubt you will be disappointed.

While traveling on vacation last week in 3 days of purpetual rain I was presented with an opportunity to stay the weekend in Galena, Illinois. Noted as an art and historical destination, Galena is nestled in the rolling hills of northwest Illinois and is accessible via a white knuckle drive on the curvy, truck choked highway 20. Galena's history includes 9 US civil war generals including Ulysses S Grant, whom later became president of the United States, and a booming lead mining industry. Once the lead was gone somewhere around the 1930s, Galena's boom became a bust. One local merchant states.."because no one had money, they were prevented them from remodeling the buildings and destroying the charm and originality of the town". I have to agree.
My stay was at the DeSoto House Hotel. It was built in 1855 and sits right on Main Street accompanied by a string of shops, galleries, and eateries. Catching my eye was the virtually non-existant vacancy rate, which for some destination towns in this economy is a significant issue. A favorite stop of mine was the Galena Artists Guild Art Gallery. It is an artists cooperative where the artists themselves staff and work the gallery. A truely wonderful idea allowing would be purchasers the opportunity to relate the art with the artist.
Next time you are traveling in the northwest region of Illinois bordering Iowa and Wisconsin, think about stopping in Galena for a visit. With a very full and active special event calender throughout the year, I doubt you will be disappointed.

While traveling on vacation last week in 3 days of purpetual rain I was presented with an opportunity to stay the weekend in Galena, Illinois. Noted as an art and historical destination, Galena is nestled in the rolling hills of northwest Illinois and is accessible via a white knuckle drive on the curvy, truck choked highway 20. Galena's history includes 9 US civil war generals including Ulysses S Grant, whom later became president of the United States, and a booming lead mining industry. Once the lead was gone somewhere around the 1930s, Galena's boom became a bust. One local merchant states.."because no one had money, they were prevented them from remodeling the buildings and destroying the charm and originality of the town". I have to agree.
My stay was at the DeSoto House Hotel. It was built in 1855 and sits right on Main Street accompanied by a string of shops, galleries, and eateries. Catching my eye was the virtually non-existant vacancy rate, which for some destination towns in this economy is a significant issue. A favorite stop of mine was the Galena Artists Guild Art Gallery. It is an artists cooperative where the artists themselves staff and work the gallery. A truely wonderful idea allowing would be purchasers the opportunity to relate the art with the artist.
Next time you are traveling in the northwest region of Illinois bordering Iowa and Wisconsin, think about stopping in Galena for a visit. With a very full and active special event calender throughout the year, I doubt you will be disappointed.