Discover the Proud Route 66 History of Galena, KS

Back in its glory days, many small towns across America thrived on the steady flow of motorists on Route 66. Although the Mother Road is long gone, many of these places still hold on firmly to its legacy.

One such place is Galena, KS.

This small city of roughly 2,700 residents is dubbed the oldest mining town in southeast Kansas. Its history is, indeed, intricately connected to the local mining industry.

A railroad was constructed through the area of what would become Galena in 1871. However, the iron horse’s tracks didn’t bring with themselves any significant settlement.

That would have to wait until spring 1877, when lead ore was discovered nearby. And just like that, people flooded to the region, a post office was put up, and the newly established town needed a name.

And there were a lot of candidates for a name. The Galena Mining and Smelting company that platted the town wanted to name it Cornwall. Despite that, people called it Short Creek, but they soon started referring to the town as Bonanza instead.