Walk to Main Street and historic sites!
Mark your calendar & Reserve early for:
Wine Lovers Weekend
Mar. 26th - 28th
Grant's Birthday Celebration - April 9th & 10th
Galena Triathlon & Duathlon - May 22nd.
Aldrich Guest House Galena IL Bed & Breakfast History
Cyrus Aldrich, a veteran Whig and Illinois State Representative, built the original 1 1/2 story, one-room, brick house circa 1845. Aldrich, who was also the Jo Daviess County Register of Deeds, left Galena for Minneapolis where he was elected as a Republican thirty-sixth and seventh Congresses. Among other career highlights, President Lincoln appointed him in 1863 to be one of the commissioners to examine claims of settlers who suffered in the Sioux War of 1862. Aldrich Avenue in Minneapolis was named in his honor.
In 1853, J. Russell Jones, who later built Galena's grandest mansion, the Belvedere, built a major addition in the Greek Revival style. President Grant appointed his good friend Jones as Minister to Belgium in 1869.
Ulysses S. Grant was entertained “in the spacious double parlors” of the house by Robert H. McClellan, an Illinois State Senator, lawyer and the President of the Bank of Galena and later the National Bank of Galena. McClellan and his wife, Clara, lived in the home for over 40 years. It was McClellan who further added to the house adopting Italianate architectural details. It is said that Grant’s troops trained on the “green” between the Aldrich house and its neighbor Congressman Elihu B. Washburne’s house. Ownership of the Aldrich House changed hands several times in the early 1900’s. During this time it was even used as a club for lawn bowling! The Dr. Edward Bench family owned the house from the early 1920’s until 1967 when it was purchased by Jim and B.J. Crowe. The Crowes discovered an album of newspaper clippings which trace McClellan’s career, his close association with Grant and Galena itself from the mid to late 1800's. This album is still with the house today.
The Aldrich House Today
The 12-room house was opened as a guesthouse in July 1984. Its
most recent owners are Brian & Fran Onak. The Onaks have
enjoyed many stays in Bed and Breakfasts throughout the country
but fell in love with Galena and enjoy sharing their excitement
about the history and architecture of the Aldrich House and Galena.
A warm and welcoming atmosphere awaits each guest in this elegant
yet comfortable home located in the heart of "Grants Neighborhood".
