GALENA

The mines were closed and population fell due to the Winnebago War in 1827 and then again during the Blackhawk War in 1832. After the Native Americans were vanquished, the town began to grow in importance, becoming the largest port on the Mississippi between St. Louis, Missouri and St. Paul, Minnesota. Galena was incorporated in 1835 and elected its first mayor in 1841. At that time, the census showed 1,900 residents.