Galena’s Living History Alliance
Galena’s Living History Alliance is a local non-profit organization focusing on the history of Galena honoring it by researching the history of our participating homes, placing plaques identifying the date of construction, name and occupation of the original owner and telling the stories of the first owners.
Showcasing Galena’s historic homes
Architectural style
Over 200 homes in the GLHA plaque program showcase many exquisite architectural styles. From Italianate to Gothic Revival, Victorian, Federal and more these homes offer a glimpse into the past that cannot be experienced anywhere else.
Notable residents
Discover the many influential figures who once called our plaqued homes their own. Miners, generals, farmers and shopkeepers all called Galena home and shaped it into what it has become today.
Living history
Experience the past come to life as you explore each home’s unique story and the role of its owners in Galena’s history. Today we honor and recognize those pioneers with the beautiful plaques on their homes.
Plaque Program
Historic House Plaque Program
The Galena Living History Alliance (GLHA) is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the architectural heritage of Galena and Jo Daviess County. Our primary initiative, the Historic House Plaque Program, increases public awareness and appreciation of the area’s historic homes and buildings.
Is my home eligible for a historic plaque?
Any home built before 1930 is eligible for inclusion in the program. Over 200 buildings are currently in the GLHA plaque program. They range from log cabins, commercial buildings, stunning Italinates, and cozy miners’ cottages to stately Victorians.
A few examples of the architectural styles in the GLHA program.
William Reinwald House, 1847, Log cabin home
Charles Lowes House, c.1852, Miner’s cottage
RIchard seal house, 1871, Italianate
August J. Millhouse House, 1899, Victorian
Latest news from our blog
See our latest Facebook posts.
We update our Facebook page regularly with information about our homes, businesses and churches participating in the GLHA historic plaque program. Scroll down on the posts to see the latest posts.
Galena's Living History Alliance
A window into Galena's historic truth
Every once in a while, someone reminds us exactly why we do what we do.
This beautiful note from visitors to Galena touched our hearts because they recognized the countless hours of volunteer work behind each of our historic plaques.
To every homeowner who has applied for a plaque…thank you. Because of you, Galena's history is being preserved and shared with everyone who walks our streets.
And to every member of Galena's Living History Alliance , thank you. Every hour we give, every plaque we paint, every late night researching, and every installation we complete truly matters.
Thank you…everyone… for helping bring Galena's history to life.
"This is our first time in Galena. Sort of a random and unplanned stop returning to Duluth, MN from points south of here. I had always heard about Galena, but had never been here and I have to say it exceeded expectations. Wherever my husband and I have lived we’ve always been the ones battling to save old buildings (if not buying them ourselves), serving on the City tree board and HPC, leading walking tours, board members of the historical society, etc. While out walking tonight, I was noticing these plaques and knew there were people behind them doing all the tasks to make them a reality that happen behind the scenes and most people have no understanding of what all goes into it. Then I find this group and discover them! When you do this kind of work, you recognize it and appreciate it when you see it in other places. Thank you to everyone behind this project – it greatly enhanced the enjoyment of our walk and our understanding of your city."
There are homes that quietly witness history, and then there are homes that help create it.
This weekend, we were absolutely delighted to install a historic plaque in front of Marsden Row just in time for the Marsden family reunion. We can't think of a more fitting way to welcome Stephen Marsden's descendants back to Galena than by honoring the remarkable couple whose lives became woven into the fabric of our community.
Stephen Marsden was born on December 26, 1810, in Youlgreave, Derbyshire, England, where he grew up in one of England's historic lead mining districts. As a young man, he immigrated to Pennsylvania before making his way to Galena in 1831, drawn by the promise of opportunity in America's booming lead mining capital.
Stephen worked as both a miner and a farmer, never imagining that those two pursuits would one day come together in extraordinary fashion.
In 1854, while cleaning out a spring on his farm, Stephen uncovered one of the richest deposits of lead and zinc ever discovered in the Upper Mississippi Valley. The Marsden Mine would become one of the most productive mines in the entire region, bringing prosperity not only to Stephen but to countless families throughout Galena. As zinc became increasingly valuable in later years, the discovery proved even more significant, and Stephen eventually became one of the wealthiest men in Galena's mining industry.
Yet wealth was never what defined him. His obituary remembered him as "an upright, honorable man," noting that many in Galena would miss his kindness and generosity toward those less fortunate.
Stephen's personal life was marked by both joy and heartbreak. In 1833, he married Caroline Jones, and together they welcomed five children into the world, with just their daughter Lucy, surviving past toddler-hood. Tragically, Caroline passed away from cellulitis in 1855, leaving Stephen a widower to care for 7-year-old Lucy.
Later that same year, Stephen married Catherine Beall, who raised his daughter as her own. Together they welcomed six more children, creating a family of 7 children altogether. Like so many nineteenth century families, however, they experienced the sorrow of losing 4 of their children far too soon.
After Stephen's passing in 1879, Catherine remained in the family home on Spring Street for another fifty years. She lived to the remarkable age of 81, passing away in 1929 after suffering injuries from a fall at her home. Her obituary remembered her as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Having lived in Galena since 1847, Catherine witnessed nearly every chapter of Galena's remarkable transformation, from the height of the lead mining boom through the dawn of the twentieth century. She also endured unimaginable loss, outliving all but two of the seven children she helped raise, a poignant reminder of the hardships so many nineteenth century families faced with quiet strength and unwavering faith.
Today, Stephen and Catherine's story lives on, not only through the incredible mining discovery that helped shape Galena's history, but through the beautiful Marsden Row homes on Spring Street that still stand as a lasting reminder of their family's legacy.
To the Marsden family, welcome home. It was truly our honor to have this plaque installed before your reunion so that generations of your family could gather beneath it, remembering a family whose resilience, generosity, perseverance, and love for one another left an indelible mark on the history of Galena.
And to the current owners of Marsden Row, thank you for preserving this beautiful piece of Galena's history. Together, you are ensuring that Stephen and Catherine's remarkable story will continue to be remembered for generations to come.
Some homes quietly hold the stories of remarkable lives, and this one is no exception.
Let's travel back to 1836, when 29-year-old George Fuller, a native of Lynn, Massachusetts, and his wife of one year, Emeline, chose to make Galena their home. Over the years, the Fullers lived on Bench Street and later on Main Street before George built what would become his final Galena home on what is now US Route 20 West.
After Emeline's passing in 1854, George found love again, marrying Sarah Putnam of Massachusetts the following year. Throughout most of his life, he was well known in Galena as a respected wholesale grocer, earning a reputation for being honest, fair, and hardworking.
Sadly, on a cold winter evening, February 1, 1884, a simple accident turned tragic. While returning home with a load of wood, George's pant leg caught on the sled, throwing him backward and fatally breaking his neck.
Those who knew George remembered him as a plain and simple man whose integrity never wavered.
Today, we are grateful to Bill, the current owner and caretaker of George Fuller's final Galena home. Thank you for helping preserve another important piece of Galena's rich history and for ensuring George's story will continue to be remembered for generations to come.
If you've ever wondered about the history of your own home, we'd love to help uncover its story. Visit us at GalenaLivingHistory.org to learn more about our historic plaque and research program.
We sure have been battling the heat in trying to get this batch of plaques rust proofed and painted. I was about to give up, but broke down and bought an air conditioner for the space… and fellow board member Dale Glick brought over a dehumidifier. It has made all the difference in the world! As of now I have about 16 hours in. They will cure for 3 days and be sent over to Stef, who will begin hand lettering them with 2 coats of the silver metallic enamel. This truly is a group effort and we are grateful for all of your kind words, donations, and support. Thank you!!
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See our latest YouTube videos here for insights into Galena’s history and more from our historians.
