Grant Guest House

SITE

121 S High St, 
Galena, IL 61036

319-310-3660

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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.

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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.