Galena's Living History Alliance

1 day ago

Another piece of Galena history has been preserved!

This morning, we installed a plaque at 119 – 121 S. Main Street honoring Frederick E. Bergmann, one of Galena's early furniture dealers and cabinet makers.

Born in Bremen, Germany, in 1804, Frederick made his way to America and arrived in Galena from New Orleans in 1831, when Galena was still in its infancy. He would spend the next several decades helping furnish the city around him.

In 1843, Frederick married Margaret Ann Hines. Margaret was born in Pennsylvania and was nineteen years his junior. Together they raised six children and established deep roots in Galena. As owner of the F. E. Bergmann Company, Frederick crafted and sold furniture during an era when nearly every piece was built by hand by skilled artisans. His work helped furnish the homes and businesses of a growing Galena.

At the age of 73, Frederick moved to Kansas to be near family. When he passed away, his body was returned to Galena, where funeral services were held at his former home at 116 Bench Street, before he was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery. Even after leaving Galena, his connection to the city remained strong.

We are especially grateful to Steve and Diana Andresen for applying to have Frederick memorialized on their building and helping preserve the history of Main Street. Last year, we were also proud to install a plaque on their neighboring building, home to Beyond the Horizon.

The next time you're downtown, be sure to stop in and thank Steve and Diana for their continued support of local history, and for restoring these beautiful buildings. Their commitment helps ensure that the stories of Galena's early residents and business owners are not forgotten.

Every plaque tells a story, and Frederick E. Bergmann's story is a wonderful reminder of the immigrants, craftsmen, entrepreneurs, and families who helped build the Galena we know and love today. … See MoreSee Less

Galena's Living History Alliance

4 weeks ago

There is something fascinating about peeling back the layers of an old house and finding history hidden within the walls and floors.

Two of our GLHA members, Michelle and Norm, are currently renovating the bathroom in their Henry J. Stouffer House at 705 S. Bench Street, and every day uncover another little piece of Galena’s past.

Shown here is a sample of the original 1844 wallpaper discovered during the renovation, along with three hand-forged 182 year-old nails that were found tucked beneath the floorboards. Norm also discovered two porcelain electrical insulators hidden in the floor joists, part of the home’s very early electrical system.

It was reported in 1888 that the Galena Electric Light Company was "stringing wires along the streets" so homes could soon be illuminated by electric lights. At the time, this would have been considered an incredible luxury. Many Galena homes were retrofitted from gas lighting or oil lamps to electricity during the 1890s and early 1900s.

Henry Stouffer would not have had gas lighting when this home was built in 1844. In fact, it was not until 1855 that Hezekiah Gear helped organize Galena’s Gas Light Company. That means the original lighting in the Stouffer home was probably candles, whale oil lamps, lard oil lamps, or possibly early fluid or kerosene-style lamps.

We always say these old homes have stories to tell… and sometimes they are literally hiding beneath the floorboards just waiting to be discovered. … See MoreSee Less