Motoring Monday - Galena Mining & Historical Museum

Numerous artifacts can be seen at the Galena Mining & Historical Museum.

A focal point in the former Tri-State Mining District and now a popular stop with tourists traveling Historic Kansas 66, the town of Galena took its name from the ‘Galena’ lead sulfide ore. Rich deposits of lead and zinc discovered at Galena in the 1870s fueled the city’s expansion to around to 30,000 residents at the turn of the 20^th century.

The Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Railroad brought people and goods to Galena and transported mined rock to regional smelters. Galena had its own lead smelter, at the time considered one of the largest in the world, along Route 66.

Old cars, mining equipment and more are on display.

The Galena Mining & Historical Museum, opened in 1984, brims over with information and artifacts from the town’s mining and railroad eras. The museum itself is quartered in the relocated MKT depot. Numerous exhibits include photographs of the miners, along with equipment they used and the minerals they mined.

Visitors can also view women’s fashions of long ago, vintage vehicles including a hearse, and even the first color television camera used at area station KOAM-TV. A short movie about Galena, produced around 1919, takes one back to the days of the early automobiles and trolleys.

The museum, seen below, is located at 319 W. 7th. It is open weekdays during the summer months and on weekends by appointment. Call (620) 783-2192 to confirm hours.