See Historic Galena Transform into a Winter Wonderland

Dubuque and the tri-states woke up to a severe spring snowstorm on Saturday. The storm provided a stunning winter's farewell just two weeks into spring—the three-plus inches of snow accumulation blanketed the landscape from Balltown to Bellevue and Dyersville to Dickeyville.

Galena, Illinois, saw significant early morning snow, so I ventured to witness how the white stuff falling from the sky would transform the historic town into a winter wonderland.

Imagine Galena inside a cool smalltown snowglobe being shaken and set down. That's as good an analogy as I can muster, and I believe it hits the mark.

The following are pictures taken during my morning walking adventures around historic Galena, IL, on Saturday, April 2nd.

I veered off of U.S. Highway 20 to Bouthillier St. to stop by and see what was happening at the past home of Ulysses S. Grant, the Civil War general and later 18th President of the United States.

Grant was Galena's most famous and revered citizen, along with the eight other Civil War Generals who also called Galena home. It's quite a remarkable contribution by a community of fewer than 10,000 people made to the entire nation.

I will share more on Galena's remarkable storied past and present-day revival.

Located on the eastern side of the river sits Grant Park, perched atop a small hill overlooking the river, railroad tracks, walking trail, and town. It's a pleasant park with a pretty cool gazebo and a General Ulysses S. Grant statue, but the snow has a dramatic effect.

The Grant Park Pedestrian Bridge across the river to downtown is a fun way to get a good view of the remarkable scenery.

The town was waking up, but many cars were already lining what is widely considered one of the best-preserved and most vibrant Main Streets in America.

Historic Mainstreet is busy pushing the snow from the sidewalk to the street. Denise Spielberg was hard at work readying the place for the many people visiting the town for the weekend.

Galena is a pretty quirky and fun town to explore. It's perhaps the best-preserved 19th-century city in America while also having become one of the most vibrant tourist towns in middle America today. Adding to that acclaim is the fact that it also boasts a storied past that played pivotal roles in American history.

The snow kept piling up, so I ventured to explore some of the staircases traversing the hills towering over the town.

Enjoy some of the other angles and architecture that caught my eye.

The Dowling House.

One of the town's many hidden staircases.

Locally owned shops line Galena's Historic Main St.

The town's preservation is remarkable. 

Houses sit atop the hills.

Galena has a pretty cool river running through it.

Plus alluring staircases to climb.

Who needs a gym?

It was a fun morning exploring Galena, Illinois after the early spring day of April 2, 2022. I hope you enjoyed the picture tour. Thanks for listening to the Good Morning Rodeo from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. on 103WJOD.  

Go to VisitGalena.org to learn more.

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