My first stop of my Midwestern Presidential Pathway was Galena, Illinois, where Ulysses S. Grant lived when he re-joined the Army in 1861, and the town was his home when he was elected president in 1868.Galena, named for the lead ore that was once plentiful nearby, is a popular tourist destination. The lead mines stopped producing in the late 19th century, and the town became stuck in time.
Which is what brings in the crowds. Antique shops, "knick-knack" stores, and bed and breakfast inns adds to the charm.
Several resort properties are located outside of town.
Most of film "Field of Dreams"
was filmed in eastern Iowa. But Galena filled in for Moonlight Graham's hometown of Chisolm, Minnesota.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, northwestern Illinois is very, well, un-Illinois like. The glaciers that flattened most of the state bypassed the area surrounding Galena; the hills and valleys add to the allure of this tourist destination.
Related posts:
Midwestern Presidential Pathway: Where Grant worked as a clerk
Midwestern Presidential Pathway: Mrs. Butterworth
Midwestern Presidential Pathway: Ulysses S. Grant Home
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history 
Ulysses Grant 
Illinois 
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Galena
4 comments:
Ulysses S. Grant was born in 1822,
how old was he when he finished his
memoirs? It was believed Grant
became ill after writing his
memoirs and died a short time
later.
He was suffering from cancer while he was writing those memoirs, and he died four days after he completed them.
That city could almost be found in Europe!
It's a neat place, and if you're looking for a romantic getaway....women love Galena.
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