| Galesburg Home Attractions Transportation Recreation Restaurants/Hotels/ Bed & Breakfast  |
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Galesburg__________________________
Calendar of Events
Here's a link to Galesburg Area Convention & Visitor's Bureau
and their Calendar of Events http://www.visitgalesburg.com/calendar.php
Driving Directions from Quincy to Galesburg
Take I-172 north to US 24 and go east about 50 miles. Turn left on US 67 and go north about 60 miles to Monmouth.
US 67 becomes US 34 and turns east. Follow this for about 20 miles to Galesburg, approximately 130 miles.
History
Galesburg was named after George
Washington Gale, a Presbyterian minister from New York who thought the frontier lacked education and religion.
In 1836, he bought 17 acres of land for $1.25 
an acre and started Galesburg. The first 50 settlers arrived in 1836 and settled in Log City by Lake
Storey until proper housing could be constructed in the summer of 1837. The initial plan was to provide a manual
labor college where students would literally work for their education. The college was originally called Prairie
College and was later changed to Knox College.
| The "Old Main" building on the Knox College campus is the only remaining site of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858. On October 7, 1858, an estimated crowd of 20,000 people attended the debate held on the Knox College campus. For this reason the "Old Main" building is a registered national landmark. Visit www.knox.edu/knox for more information about Knox College. |  |
In 1837 an anti-slavery society was organized in Galesburg. The college and the community were important to
the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. Galesburg was a depot for the Underground Railroad and facilitated
freedom for many slaves.
The railroad arrived in Galesburg in 1854. The first train to come to
town was called the Reindeer. Galesburg flourished as the railroad allowed
area products to be shipped to other markets in other communities. A majority
of the workforce was employed as a result of the railroad's presence.
Today you can visit the Galesburg Railroad Museum to learn more
about the history of the railroad. You will find numerous railcars as
well as a 1923 Pullman Parlor Car that houses museum artifacts. It is
located at 426 Hawkinson Avenue in the Seminary Street Commercial District.
Phone (309) 342-9400 for more information.
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Galesburg's most famous resident is also said to be one of America's greatest poets. Carl Sandburg was born January 6, 1878, at 331 East 3rd Street in Galesburg to Swedish immigrants. Sandburg authored over 40 books and won 2 Pulitzer Prize awards. He died in 1967 and his ashes are buried in a garden at his birthplace. Visitors can tour the home where he was born. Next door is a visitors' center that contains a museum, a small theater, and a gift shop. The museum houses hundreds of artifacts and displays. These buildings are open daily for all visitors who want to learn more about Carl Sandburg. You may also learn more about Carl Sandburg by visiting the Carl Sandburg Historic Site Association's website at www.sandburg.org. |
Architecture
With Galesburg's economic boom came an abundance of beautiful homes. Many
still exist today and have been restored to their original condition.