1911 Map of Galena

About this map

The Mississippi River creates a complex borderland of sloughs and islands in this early twentieth-century survey of Jo Daviess County. The landscape is defined by the lead and zinc mining legacy of the region, with the Unity Mine, Northwestern Mine, and Sheboygan Mine situated among the hills north of Galena. Transportation networks are densely packed, featuring the Illinois Central RR and Chicago Great Western RR converging near Galena Junction. The map captures a moment when river commerce and rail power coexisted, noting crossings like Gears Ferry and Gordons Ferry. Numerous rural schools, including Furnace School and Rock College School, are scattered across the townships, reflecting the settled agricultural and industrial character of the area before modern consolidation. Prominent landmarks such as Horseshoe Mound and Pilot Knob rise above the river valley, anchoring the local topography.