by Daniel Hines
Publisher
America's Seniors/TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com
To experience Galena is to return to a
time when charm and grace ruled the order of things.
In an earlier visit last year, we
regretted that we had only a weekend to get acquainted with the
village. We vowed to return as soon as possible.
From the moment that one comes on the
hills overlooking the picturesque hillside-based village which looks more
like a small European town than a thriving and diverse destination for
tourists, it is obvious that a total and unique vacation experience awaits.
The town is wholly unlike any in the
United States.
Although its current resident population is only 3,600, it has a
sophistication and cosmopolitan attitude that undoubtedly reflects the
demands of its many visitors from urban areas throughout the Midwest.
The restaurants are many and of the highest quaity. We visited two,
Vennuchi's, and the Back Street Steak House. We also visited The Grape
Escape, with its excellent wine lists and tasty appetizers that provided a
welcome respite from visiting the many stores along Main Street.
While a historic walking tour is
available, we also opted for a trolley ride through the historic area on
Brill's Trolley Tours, followed by a visit to The Belvedere Mansion.
The city abounds in historic sites, having
at one time been a major center of commerce and political influence.
It is the home of General and later President U.S. Grant and the tours of
his home are among the highly popular activities for visitors.
It produced nine Civil War Generals,
including Grant, and was the home of many Congressmen and ambassadors.
The town gets its name from the Latin word
for Lead, a reflection of the village's role at one time as the largest
producer of lead in the United States.
Almost 90 percent of the homes in the
village are listed on the National Historic Registry, and, wisely, severe
restrictions and guidelines are imposed upon new building and renovation.
Galena escaped the fate of many smaller
towns when, in the early 1960s, a group of out-of-town people took an
interest in the village's heritage.
They saw the potential of the area and began investments in attractions that
were not just 'tourist traps' but quality stores and facilities that
reflected Galena's heritage.
Others soon followed. The Galena
Territory was developed and today its thousands of acres, featuring
championship golf courses, tennis courts, beautiful homes and luxurious
lodge at Eagle Ridge could be considered the Crown Jewel of the area.
Even today, the influx of persons
dedicated to the heritage of the region continues. Everywhere we went,
we met people dedicated to providing a vacation experience that have made
the village the second most visited destination in the state of Illinois.
In this special section, America's
Seniors/TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com introduces you to Galena. Simply
click on any of the links to be taken to a particular story of just a few of
the many attractions of the area.
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