Fun Fact #279 Galena the Grand

 Fun Fact #279

Galena The Grand

To the Northwest of Illinois lies its own section of the Driftless area, covering most of Jo Davis County. This unique geography to the state allowed it to be the center of several mining operations looking for the mineral Galena which is the most valuable lead ore to this day. Bearing that in mind it's easy to see how the ore’s presence created the first mineral rush in U.S. history (1822). The need to ship this ore along the Mississippi river lead to the creation of a Town called Galena –at one point even being bigger than Chicago! Today it is remembered as the hometown of Ulysses S. Grant, and a popular tourist spot known for its history, Architecture and resorts. It also happens to be home to the “Better than a boyfriend” Brownie which is supposed to be the best brownie in all the Midwest.

The mineral Galena (Photo courtesy of “The Crystal Council”)