Galena,
Illinois
HISTORY - GRANT IN GALENA
Grant and his family arrived in Galena in the spring of 1860 and rented a small Federal style brick house. He had ended a fifteen year military career six years earlier, but had enjoyed little business success as a civilian. He hoped to reverse his economic misfortune by moving to northwestern Illinois, where he would work in the Galena store owned by his father and managed by his younger brothers, Simpson and Orvil.
Grant was a clerk in name only; he spent considerable time away from the store, "traveling through the Northwest considerably during the winter of 1860-61. They had customers in all the little towns in south-west Wisconsin, south-east Minnesota, and northeast. Iowa." Until he left Galena in the spring of 1861 to serve in the Civil War, Grant and his wife, Julia, rented a modest brick home on the west side of the river for approximately $100.00 a year ($3,785.24 in 2024).
… 5 years later…
On August 18, 1865, the citizens of Galena greeted the return of its victorious General with a grand celebration. A "grand triumphal arch" spanned Main Street, and a holiday atmosphere prevailed with a jubilant procession, speeches, and evening fireworks. Julia Grant recalled that "there was a tremendous and enthusiastic outpouring of people to welcome him . . . After a glorious triumphal ride around the hills and valleys, so brilliant with smiles and flowers, we were conducted to a lovely villa exquisitely furnished with everything good taste could desire."
Galena History - Galena’s 9 Generals
Grant Home - Grant in Galena
SITE
500 Bouthillier St,
Galena, IL 61036
(815) 777-3310
granthome@granthome.com
Wed - Sun, 9am - 4:45pm
Suggested donation - $5 /adult
Tours are continuous
Wait time - 15min or less between tours
Wait is outdoors
Managed by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency as the U.S. Grant Home State Historic Site. The Grant Home site includes several small mid-19th century homes comprising the three-block “Grant Home Historic Neighborhood.” “Grant State Park,” a tree-shaded area south of the Grant Home has picnic tables for public use. Also in the park is the Long House, a log building constructed ca. 1851 and moved to the site from Elizabeth, Illinois in 1976, representing a typical settler’s home of mid-nineteenth-century Jo Daviess County.
The Ulysses S. Grant Home in Galena, Illinois is the former home of Ulysses S. Grant, the Civil War general and later the 18th president of the United States. The brick house, which was designed by William Dennison, had been constructed in 1860 for former City Clerk Alexander J. Jackson. Thomas B. Hughlett, on behalf of only a small group of local Republicans (including Elihu B. Washburne), purchased the house for $2,500 in June 1865 ($48,186.35 in 2024) and presented it to Grant two months later. The house is typical of the Italianate style, which is characterized by well defined rectilinear shapes, projecting eaves supported by brackets, low pitched roof, and balustraded balconies over covered porches.Thomas B. Hughlett, on behalf of only a small group of local Republicans (including Elihu B. Washburne), purchased the house for $2,500 in June 1865 and presented it to Grant two months later. The house is typical of the Italianate style, which is characterized by well defined rectilinear shapes, projecting eaves supported by brackets, low pitched roof, and balustraded balconies over covered porches.
HISTORY
Grant and his family lived there during his 1868 presidential campaign and again for a few periods during his presidency and retirement. Following his election as president in 1868 he visited only occasionally. In 1873 Grant commented that "although it is probable I will never live much time among you, but in the future be only a visitor as I am at present, . . . I hope to retain my residence here . . . I expect to cast my vote here always." The house was maintained by caretakers in anticipation of the President's visits, the local newspaper reporting that it was "in excellent order and ready for occupation at any time," adding that "visitors are always admitted."
Grant made his final visits to his Galena home in 1880. At that time he found that several changes had been made - "a new sidewalk laid in front of the premises, the outbuildings repaired, the trees handsomely trimmed, a new and commodious wash house built and other improvements made."
SITE
211 S Bench St,
Galena, IL 61036
director@galenahistorymuseum.org
(815) 777-9131
Mon - Sun 10am-4:30pm
Tickets - $15 /adult
Group Tours - $10 /adult
The museum is located in a 1858 Italianate mansion built as a private residence by Galena merchant Daniel Barrows. The museum features over 6,000 square feet of exhibit space and presentations on lead mining in the northwest region, the Driftless Area, Grant’s leather store, the Port of Galena: 1858.
- “Peace in Union” and “General Grant on the Battlefield” paintings,
- Flag from the Vicksburg Siege,
- a topographical map of Jo Daviess County,
HISTORY
Grant and his family arrived in Galena in the spring of 1860 and rented a small Federal style brick house. He had ended a fifteen year military career six years earlier, but had enjoyed little business success as a civilian. He hoped to reverse his economic misfortune by moving to northwestern Illinois, where he would work in the Galena store owned by his father and managed by his younger brothers, Simpson and Orvil. Grant was a clerk in name only; he spent considerable time away from the store, "traveling through the Northwest considerably during the winter of 1860-61. They had customers in all the little towns in south-west Wisconsin, south-east Minnesota, and northeast. Iowa." Until he left Galena in the spring of 1861 to serve in the Civil War, Grant and his wife, Julia, rented a modest brick home on the west side of the river for approximately $100.00 a year ($3,785.24 in 2024).
… 5 years later…
On August 18, 1865, the citizens of Galena greeted the return of its victorious General with a grand celebration. A "grand triumphal arch" spanned Main Street, and a holiday atmosphere prevailed with a jubilant procession, speeches, and evening fireworks. Julia Grant recalled that "there was a tremendous and enthusiastic outpouring of people to welcome him . . . After a glorious triumphal ride around the hills and valleys, so brilliant with smiles and flowers, we were conducted to a lovely villa exquisitely furnished with everything good taste could desire."
Galena History - Galena’s 9 Generals
Grant Home - Grant in Galena
SITE
121 S High St,
Galena, IL 61036
319-310-3660
This Ulysses S. Grant, Pre-Civil war home has been fully restored to its original 1860's time period.
- Library
- Memorabilia - Civil War Saber, personal books of Grant’s, 1870s portrait of Grant, drawing of Grant, etc.
HISTORY
The house was originally built in 1859 by J.W. Robinson.
In 1854, at age 32, Grant entered civilian life, without any money-making vocation to support his growing family. It was the beginning of seven years of financial struggles, poverty, and instability. Grant's father offered him a place in the Galena, Illinois, branch of the family's leather business, but demanded Julia and the children stay in Missouri, with the Dents, or with the Grants in Kentucky. Grant and Julia declined. In April 1860, Grant and his family moved north to Galena, accepting a position in his father's leather goods business, "Grant & Perkins", run by his younger brothers Simpson and Orvil. In a few months, Grant paid off his debts. Ulysses S. Grant, his wife, Julia and their 4 children Fred, Ulysses Jr. (Buck), Nellie and Jesse moved to Galena and rented this unassuming brick federal style home in April of 1860. A year later Grant left for the war and Julia stayed here for another year before going to stay first with the Grants and then to her family home of White Haven in St Louis and later joining Grant as he commanded the Union forces. From 1888 to 1943 the house was owned by a surveyor named Mr. Scott. The bathroom window was etched by one of the Scott's family members in 1893 and those markings are still there today. Since 1943 the house has had 6 other owners.
