The City of Galena is located in the unglaciated area of Northwest Illinois. Our rolling hills, history, 19th century architecture and opportunities for year round outdoor recreation attract nearly a million visitors a year.

Often referred to as “The Town that Time Forgot,” many of the buildings in Galena are brick and/or stone. In the 1850s, during the town’s early boom, a series of fires threatened the city’s core, and city officials passed regulations prohibiting new construction made of wood. What began as a movement in self-preservation has now moved to a modern focus on historic preservation. Many of these buildings, reflecting a variety of architectural styles, have stood the test of time, and now stringent rules continue to govern the Historic District of Galena to vigilantly preserve history.