A visit to Galesburg is a celebration of a time when the pace was a little more leisurely – when half the reason for going somewhere was in the getting there. A visit to Galesburg is like a reawakened memory – familiar and comfortable yet with surprises both welcome and rewarding.
Your visit to Galesburg, experience the best sort of Americana – that which excites the imagination with visions of a once and future nation and inspires with the promise that our best days are all ahead of us. Click here to view our online Visitors Guide.
History is rich in the beautiful rolling prairies of thisnorthwest central Ilinois city. Knox County wasestablished January 13, 1825, by the state legislature,and the first known settlers arrived in 1826 The county was named in honor of Revolutionary Warhero General Henry Knox, who was Secretary of Warfrom 1785 to 1795.
Galesburg is a unique town in that it was a plannedcity whose purpose was fostering religious educationKnox College was the main reason for its existence,The college was granted a charter by the Ilinois State Legislature in 1837, but it was not until 1841that it opened its doors to the first freshman class.
Old Main was completed in 1851 and has the distinction of being the only bua Lincoln-Douglas debate was held, the fifth and most famous of the debates.
3g stil standing where
Ithas historical ties to the railroad, too, with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (Chicago, Burlington, andQuincy) coming to the City in 1854. Funding for the linking of the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy (CB& Q) Railroad came from a Galesburg investor, beginning a rail history that still ives today. The CB &Q later merged with other railroads to form what is now Burlington Northern Santa Fe RailroadBecause of that Galesburg investor's commitment, Galesburg has seven main rail lines coming in andout of the City. Galesburg still prides itself in its railroad history, with several museums and a festivaldevoted solely to the railroad.
Old Main's construction in 1857 reflected the prosperity that the new railroad began bringing to Galesburg three years earlier. It is the sole remaining original site of the great Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1858. The debate was staged against the east wall of Old Main, and two large bronze plaques with…
Experience railroading of the early 1900s at the new Galesburg Railroad Museum building that sits next to the Amtrak Depot. The building holds an extensive collection of railroad memorabilia on view for the public to see. Take a tour through the restored passenger engine built in 1930 by the Baldwin…
Seminary Street Historic Commercial District is one of the Midwest's stunning success stories in downtown restoration. Buildings once nearly abandoned now thrive with restaurants, distinctive specialty shops, a day spa, coffee roastery and a bakery. Antiques and collectibles from some of the Midwest's finest dealers can be found at The…
Author-poet Carl Sandburg was born here in a three room cottage on January 6, 1878. From these humble beginnings, Sandburg went on to achieve international acclaim for his poetry, children’s stories, and a six volume biography of Abraham Lincoln. A Visitors’ Center and gift shop is located next to the…
The cornerstone of this sandstone building was laid in 1884 and construction was completed in 1886 at a cost of $150,000. The ornate details are typical of the Romanesque period. To the west of the Court House is Standish Park Arboretum with over 170 trees and shrubs.
The Orpheum Theatre opened in 1916 after a construction cost of $135,000. Originally built as a vaudeville house, the Orpheum hosted many early stars of stage and screen, including Jack Benny, George Burns, Harry Houdini, Al Jolson, Edgar Bergen, Fanny Brice and Blackstone the Magician.
This imposing Richardsonian Romanesque church building, constructed in 1898 of dark red sandstone transported from Michigan, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has a number of magnificent rose windows, and is located on the site of the “Old First Church”— founded by the original settlers who…
Completed in 1885, the church has a 150' spire and neo-Gothic architecture. Only ten Catholic churches in the U.S. have a saint’s body, and Corpus Christi houses the holy relic of St. Crescent, taken out of the catacombs in Rome in 1838.
Galesburg and Knox College were founded in 1837 by anti-slavery advocates who came to Knox County from upstate New York. George Washington Gale and many of the early founders were abolitionists and set the tone for the new town and neighboring communities. Galesburg was home to the first anti-slavery society…
Christians, Teetotalers, and Abolitionists. The Foundations of Galesburg and Knox College
George Washington Gale arrived in Illinois in the mid 1830s with a colony of people from upstate New York to establish Galesburg and Knox College. These serious minded people were mostly Presbyterians and Congregationalists.
Once they had settled in Western Illinois, they committed themselves to establishing their schools. The education…
Learn More...
Found in: Local History
Galesburg Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
A historic city set in the beautiful prairieland of West Central Illinois, Galesburg is rich in the "quality of life" features so important to us all today. The city has preserved the open friendliness of the small community of settlers who, in 1837, moved west to the unbroken prairie to bring learning to the Illinois frontier.
Nestled comfortably on gently rolling landscape, surrounded by miles of the country's most fertile agricultural land, Galesburg remains connected to its roots, visible in the charming Victorian homes and broad, tree-lined, brick-paved streets of its Historic District. At the same time, the city has continued to grow and change with the times.
Whether you are here for business or pleasure, the Galesburg Area Convention and Visitors Bureau's professional staff is available to provide guidance and assistance to ensure you feel welcome.
You can reach us for more details about our attractions and events by calling us at 309-343-2485 or 1.800-916-3330, by e-mailing us at visitors@visitgalesburg.com.
The Galesburg area is just plain beautiful. With its historic Lake Storey Recreational Area, the Spoon River watershed and the Snakeden Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area, there are plenty of options if you want to get out in the woods or out on the water.
Located just off of the I-74, exit 48a from the east, 48 from the west, This 50+ acre community park includes a lighted softball field, multipurpose recreational trail, an 18-hole disc golf course, two modular playground stations, a circular 3 on 3 basket ...
The 600 acres at Lake Storey Recreational Area offer year-round outdoor adventure. In the summer, rent a row boat, canoe or paddle boat to tour the lake, enjoy the waterslide, swim in the lake or relax on the beach, use the playground and picnic shelters, ...
Telephone:309-345-3683
Lakeside Water Park
1033 South Lake Storey Road, Galesburg, IL, 61401
Open May 28 through September 5, 2016 Monday - Saturday: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Sunday: Noon to 7:00 p.m. *Closed on Galesburg District 205 School Days *The 5 foot pool is closed during swim team practice and home swim meets. Daily Pool Admissions A ...
This 2,500-acre parcel was a surface mining site for coal from 1962 to 1970 and was considered by many to provide a wealth of opportunity for the development of fish and wildlife habitat. In 1987, the State of Illinois purchased the property from Midland ...
Experience the hospitality of another era in this 1890's Eastlake-style Victorian home. The guest rooms are furnished with waterbeds for your sleeping comfort and has it's own air conditioner. From Seacord House, you can stroll through the neighborhood wh ...
Telephone:309-342-4107
The Barn
1690 Kenny Street, Dahinda, IL, 61428
Spend the night in a true timber frame, post and beam barn set on 200 acres of wooded quiet.The Barn Bed & Breakfast features rustic decor, antique furnishings, deafening quiet, and an outdoor shower for hot summer nights. It is located in the heart o ...
The imposing columns at the head of Chambers Street is a wonderful relic of Galesburg's early years. Local legend says that the basement of the house was used as a station on the "underground railroad," hiding runaway slaves on their way north to freedom. ...
Historic Walnut Grove Farm was homesteaded in 1835 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. In the heart of the Illinois prairie, you can rest and relax or envision what life was like on a 19th cen
Related Categories
Directory > Lodging > Bed & Breakfast
Directory > Lodging > Camping
Results 1 - 8 of 8
Baymont Inn & Suites Popular
2285 Washington Street, Galesburg, IL, 61401
Our Baymont Inn and Suites in Galesburg, IL offers a fresh, clean, uncomplicated hotel choice with comfortable and affordable accommodations. We have refreshed and updated our hotel with stylish furnishings and cozy bedding that will leave you feeling rel ...
Telephone:(888) 424-0295
Fax309-343-7660
Best Western Plus Prairie Inn
300 South Soangetaha Road, Galesburg, IL, 61401
Best Western Plus Prairie Inn is your only full-service hotel in Galesburg. Stay with us and enjoy our indoor pool, exercise facility, business center, and on-site restaurant and lounge. Located directly off I-74, we are only 3 miles from the heart of Gal ...
Telephone:(309) 343-7151
Country Inn & Suites
2284 Promenade Court, Galesburg, Illinois, 61401
It's time to get out and explore this Country. When you stay with us you'll also enjoy our everyday amenities* including • Complimentary hot breakfast - on classic diningware at select locations• Free high-speed Internet access• Workout facility• B ...
Telephone:309-344-4444
Econo Lodge of Galesburg
907 W. Carl Sandburg Dr., Galesburg, IL, 61401
Econo Lodge is conveniently located three miles from Interstate 74, off of U.S. Highway 34 in Galesburg. The Carl Sandburg State Historic Site, Knox College, Carl Sandburg College and the Amtrak station are only minutes away. Local area attractions ...
Telephone:(309) 344-5445
Fairfield Inn & Suites
901 West Carl Sandburg Drive, Galesburg, IL, 61401
This Galesburg IL hotel by Marriott is conveniently located across the street from Carl Sandburg Mall which features JC Penney, Sears, K-Mart and Bergner's. This Galesburg hotel just minutes from Knox College, the Galesburg Railroad Museum and offices for ...
Telephone:309-344-1911
Holiday Inn Express
2160 East Main Street, Galesburg, IL
Feel Right at Home at our NEW Galesburg Hotel Situated in the midst of several American historical sites in Galesburg, our terrific hotel provides guests with an ideal location in a city known for railroad innovation! Whether you're in town for business ...
Telephone:309-343-7100
Super 8 Motel
737 Knox HWY 10, I-74 Exit 51, Galesburg, IL, 61401
Just Minutes From Downtown Galesburg and Near Quad Cities Super 8 Galesburg IL hotel provides the value and convenience you need during your travels. Pull off Interstate 74 midway between the Quad Cities and Peoria, IL, to enjoy handy amenities like gues ...
Telephone:309-289-2100
Broadview Inn & Suites
29 Public Square, Galesburg, IL, 61401
Welcome to Broadview Inn and Suites a seven story exterior corridor hotel located in the historic Downtown District, two miles off of I-74 exit 48, then South on Main Street. Join us for a delicious lunch or dinner at our on-site Broadvi