That is the tagline used to describe Galena since the 1980s and probably before.  Galena avoided two seemingly unstoppable forces: the Galena River and Time.

Buildings decay rapidly when left to natural forces, but buildings made of brick and stone take longer to fail.  The cycle of decay and renewal was suspended as Galena's economy languished through the early and mid 20th century.  When efforts for the "urban renewal" of downtown Galena finally arrived at our doorstep, the cries for preservation overrode the lure of profits and our modest little town, frozen in time, became a showplace for 19th century architectural splendor.

This site contains a growing collection of photographs, mostly undated, that show Galena's historical past.  Please enjoy them!

If you are passionate about preserving Galena and her history, please donate to The Galena Foundation, Inc.