Galena's Living History Alliance

11 hours ago

We are so grateful to Bill and Krista for applying for a Galena Living History Alliance plaque to honor Louis Homrich and his wife, Adella Charter Homrich. And, as so often happens when we begin looking beyond the name on a plaque, we discovered a family story worth telling.

Louis was born and raised in Galena and learned the marble and granite trade as a young man, eventually establishing his own successful business on Main Street. He would also devote many years to his community, serving as an alderman, Jo Daviess County Sheriff for eight years, a member of the school board, and a director of the Galena State and Savings Bank.

But it is the story of Louis and Adella as a family that especially stayed with us.

Adella was born Adelia W. Charter around 1861. Her family lived for a time in Warren before moving to Galena in 1877. She and Louis married about 1884 and together raised a large family of 8 children.

In 1893, Louis and Adella built their beautiful new home at 418 Harrison Street. It must have been an exciting chapter for the family, settling into a home they had built for themselves and their children.

Sadly, that chapter was far too short.

Just six years after moving into their new home, Adella died suddenly in December of 1899 at only 38 years old.

She had struggled with poor health for several years and had even spent time in a warmer climate hoping it would improve her condition, but her attachment to her home and children continually drew her back to Galena.

At an age when they surely expected to have many more years together, Louis suddenly found himself a widower with children still to raise. He never remarried. He carried on, raising their children to adulthood while continuing his business and his service to Galena.

Louis died many years later at the age of 70. His obituary remembered Adella's death as a tremendous blow and noted that, despite losing her so young, he had successfully raised their large family alone.

Behind the successful Main Street businessman and respected public servant was a husband who lost his wife far too young, and a father who kept going because his children needed him.

Thank you, Bill and Krista, for choosing to honor Louis and Adella Homrich and for helping preserve the story of the family who once called 418 Harrison Street home.

That is what these plaques are really about. Not simply names and dates on the front of a building, but the lives, loves, losses and families that once called Galena home. … See MoreSee Less

Galena's Living History Alliance

15 hours ago

What a happy day for us at the Galena Living History Alliance! We had the pleasure of delivering a completed Historic Home Research Binder to Suzanne and Jim at 116A Bench Street, the former W & J Fiddick Warehouse.

Their beautiful home is such a wonderful example of adaptive reuse. The building dates to about 1842 and spent most of its life as a warehouse before being transformed into the home it is today.

And what a story is attached to those old walls!

William Fiddick came to America from Cornwall, England in 1835, following the path of so many Cornish miners who came to this area looking for opportunity. Just a couple of years later, William and his nephew John Fiddick established a store in Galena.

From there, the Fiddick story became very much a Galena story. William and John grew successful businesses, built impressive homes, became involved in civic affairs, supported their church and community, and even helped prepare for General Ulysses S. Grant’s return to Galena.

Their wives, Philippa and Mary Bastian Fiddick, also came from Cornwall and became part of that same remarkable immigrant story. The Fiddick families left their mark on Galena through their businesses, their charitable work, their homes and the buildings they left behind.

Can you imagine everything that building at 116A Bench Street witnessed over the last 180 years?

That is what makes these research binders so special to us. Sometimes we begin with a building and end up uncovering an entire family story filled with immigration, hard work, reinvention, community and legacy.

We are so grateful to Suzanne and Jim for supporting the Galena Living History Alliance and for helping preserve another wonderful piece of Galena history.

One building. So many stories. And now, thanks to Suzanne and Jim, those stories will continue to be remembered. ❤️ … See MoreSee Less

Galena's Living History Alliance

7 days ago

One year ago, Nohr Castings stepped in to continue the incredible legacy of the historic Westiwick Foundry here in Galena. As we celebrate that milestone, all of us at the Galena Living History Alliance want to say thank you.

Our cast iron plaques are built to last for generations, and that only happens because of the pride, craftsmanship, and attention to detail that goes into every single casting. Nohr Castings has been an outstanding partner, helping us preserve Galena's history one plaque at a time.

We've entrusted them with so many plaques this first year, and the quality has been exceptional. Their team has been wonderful to work with, and we couldn't be more grateful for their commitment to excellence and to preserving a craft that has been part of Galena's story for so many years.

Congratulations on your first anniversary, Nohr Castings! Here's to many more years of keeping this remarkable tradition alive. We are proud to work with you and thankful for everything you do for our community. … See MoreSee Less

Galena's Living History Alliance

1 week ago

Today we're celebrating someone who has over the years, become one of the behind-the-scenes heroes of the Galena Living History Alliance.

Happy Birthday to Amy Laskye!

Whenever we need something printed, photographed, or somehow made possible at the last minute, Amy is our go-to girl. While somehow balancing the busy schedule of Amy May Photography she always finds a way to squeeze us in with a smile.

Amy prints every one of our historic house binders with incredible care and makes sure they get into Bill's hands so they can be beautifully assembled for our homeowners. Her talent, generosity, and willingness to help have become such an important part of what we do.

Her kindness extends far beyond our organization. Through her Beautiful Beyond Cancer portrait initiative, Amy celebrates breast cancer survivors by creating beautiful photography that honors their strength, courage, and enduring beauty. It is just one more example of the compassionate heart she shares with our community.

Amy, thank you for sharing your time, your creativity, and your heart with our organization and with so many others. We hope your birthday is filled with all the joy and kindness you so freely give to everyone around you.

Please join us in wishing Amy a very happy birthday. <3 … See MoreSee Less