Tag Archives: Illinois

Grant House Kitchen, Galena, Illinois

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This image shows the kitchen of the Grant home where he and the family lived between the end of the Civil War and his election to the Presidency in 1868.

Anscochrome by Clayton Forsythe


The description states:
KITCHEN, GENERAL U. S. GRANT HOME
GALENA, ILLINOIS
This room is furnished with typical furnishings of the 1865 period. The stove, table and four chairs are original furniture used by the Grant family.
–Note that there is no running water, as evidenced by the presence of the porcelain pitcher and washbasin in the left background, and the absence of plumbing fixtures over the wood framed sink in the center background. The railing again is installed to control visitor movement in the museum.
This image likely dates to the 1960s.

Grant Home Parlor, Galena, Illinois

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This image shows the cosy parlor of the large house where Grant lived for a few years after the conclusion of the Civil War.

Anscochrome by Clayton Forsythe


The description states:
PARLOR, GENERAL U. S. GRANT HOME
GALENA, ILLINOIS
This room has the original horsehair-covered, walnut furniture that was in the home when given to the Grant family in 1865. The vases on the mantel were a gift to the General, while on his world tour, and are Bohemian glass. This home is now a state memorial and is open to the public daily. Admission free.
–The railing visible is a museum addition to keep visitors from encroaching on the carpets and furniture.
This card likely dates from the 1960’s

Grant Post-Civil War Home, Galena, Illinois

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This home, considerably more substantial and elaborate, was a gift to the General and his family upon the successful conclusion of the war.

Anscochrome by Clayton Forsythe


The description states:
HOME OF GENERAL U. S. GRANT
GALENA, ILLINOIS
This home was built in 1857 by Alexander Jackson. Eight years later it was purchased by the City of Galena, furnished and presented to General U. S. Grant on his return from the Civil War. In 1904 the heirs of the Grant estate deeded it to the City as a memorial to their father. In 1932 it became a state memorial and is open to the public daily. Admission Free.
–The family remained here briefly, moving to Washington DC after Grant’s election to the Presidency in 1868.
This postcard was used and is dated 26 April 1963.

General Grant House, Pre-Civil War, Galena, Illinois

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This modest structure was the home of the famous Civil War Army Commander, Ulysses S. Grant, before his rise to fame. He and his family occupied it until the end of the war.

Color Photo by Joe E. Clark


The description states:
GALENA, ILLINOIS
GRANT’S PRE-WAR HOME. Captain U.S. Grant left this home to answer the call of his country in 1861. His wife and children waited here for his return.
–The family was of very modest means during this time before the war This house was rented by the Grant family. It has since had it’s porch removed.
This postcard likely dates from the 1960s.
 

Town and Riverfront, Galena, Illinois

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This is an artist’s rendition of the Galena riverfront as it looked at the time, with the wide river and historic brick buildings that make up the historic district of Galena.

Curteichrom Reproduction by Curteich


The description states:
SCENIC VIEW OF HISTORIC GALENA, ILLINOIS
The first settlers came to Galena about 1820. By 1845 it was the most important commercial port on the Mississippi north of St. Louis. At that time the river was 200 feet wide and as many as 18 Mississippi Steamers and packets could be found tied on the levee at one time.
This view shows the river as it is today.
–There is another 21st century image of this from almost the same vantage point, as the landmark steeple, tower and brick building are clearly in evidence. The river is significantly smaller, likely a result of silt buildup and flood control measures.
This image was likely created in the 1940s.

Main Street, Galena, Illinois

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This is a view facing north along Main Street in Galena Illinois, the main commercial street for the city at the time. This street was under 5 feet of water during a flood on the nearby Galena River in 1937.

Ektachrome by Henry Brueckner


The description states:
MAIN STREET LOOKING NORTH, GALENA, ILLINOIS, pioneer Illinois city reich in historical lore of stagecoach, river boats and early mining days of civil war era.
–Galena is named for the lead ore that was found and mined here during the early years of settlement. It resulted in the first mineral ‘rush’ which occurred in the 1820s, like the later gold and silver rushes.
The cars present in great numbers in this view point to a photo made in the 1950s.

Steamboat Gothic Homes, Galena, IL

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This image shows two pre-Civil war homes built in the style of the steamboats of the era, and thus the term Steamboat Gothic Architecture.

Color Photo by Joe E. Clark


The description states:
Two Pre-Civil War Homes in historic Galena in northwestern Illinois. Here are splendid examples of the “steam-boat architecture”.
–The gothic nature of the design is evident in the tall, narrow, round top window shapes. This image likely dates from the 1950s.

Galena, Illinois Fire House No. 1 and Stairway

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This image shows a better view of the Firehouse  No. 1 that was visible on the previous image next to the First Methodist Church. The identity at the time was the Liberty Fire Company, as shown in this photo, taken in the 19th century.

Color Photo by Joe E. Clark


The description states:
FIRE HOUSE #1 and WASHINGTON ST. STEPS, GALENA, ILLINOIS
The Galena Volunteer Fire Co. was organized Feb 1st, 1830. Inside of Fire House can be seen a hand-drawn and manually operated 1855 pumper. The Washington St. Steps ascend from Bench St. to Prospect and to High Streets.
–Comparison between this photo and the older one linked above shows considerable external modernization, most notably roof drains and electrical conduit. The stairs, which once were adjoining the building, have been completely reconstructed of much more durable materials.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.

First Methodist Church, Galena, Illinois

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This image shows another variation on the iconic American church design, this time using brick instead of wood or stone. This is the First Methodist Church, whose most famous member was the Civil War General  and later President Ulysses S Grant.

Color Photo by Joe E. Clark


The description states:
FIRST METHODIST CHURCH, GALENA, ILLINOIS
Built in 1856. The Ulysses S. Grant family worshipped in this church.
Old Firehouse No. 1 may be seen on the left.
–The church was dedicated in 1857 and contains 12 elaborate stained glass windows which have been preserved and restoration was completed in 1991. This design differs in that the entryway has two staircases leading up from the sides, rather than the more common single front staircase.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.

First Presbyterian Church, Galena, Illinois

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This image shows the front and spire of the First Presbyterian Church, the oldest Presbyterian church in continuous use in the Old Northwest Territory.

Color Photo by Joe. E. Clark


The description states:
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, GALENA, ILLINOIS
Founded 1828, erected 1838, oldest Presbyterian church in Illinois in continuous use.
–The structure is an iconic style for American churches, with the towering spire over the main entryway. Most churches of this type were built of wood, but with very similar design and layout.
This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.