The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022

The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (1)

The History

of

Galena Ohio


Village of

Galena

1952 - 2022

Including the Impact of Hoover

Reservoir on the Village

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The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (2)

Table of Contents


1. Introduction

2. Hoover Reservoir - page 4

3. Hoover Reservoir and the Changes to Galena - page 5

4. Galena's Businesses - page 8

5. Galena Cemetery - page 14

6. Galena Brick - page 16

7. Galena Schools - page 19

8. Galena Churches - page 21

9. Mayors of Galena - page 24

10. Galena Trails - page 25

11. Parks and Recreation Events - page 30

12. Parks - page 40

13. Birding - page 44

14. Water and Sewer Systems - page 46

15. Clubs - page 48

16. Police and Fire Departments - page 52

17. Railroad - page 53

18. Growth


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Introduction

The early history of the Village of Galena was lovingly recorded in great detail by
Doris Fuller Bricker. Her book, "Welcome to the village of Galena", covers the
founding, early years, and up to the 1950's, just before the construction of Hoover
Dam and Hoover reservoir. Copies of her work are available at the Galena
Historic Foundation Museum. Topics in her book include a general history of
Galena, its schools, homes, businesses, churches, the Galena Cemetery, area clubs
and lodges.

The Galena Historic foundation, organized in 2012, decided in 2022 that it was
time to update the history of the village. Members of the Galena Historic.
Foundation accepting this challenge were Mike Atkinson, John and Sharon Bland,
John Bricker, Gene Fuller, Darrel Gagne, Forest Hale, Dave O'Neil, and Dixie Rice.

This newer recording of Galena's history covers the years 1952-2022. We hope
you enjoy our preservation of this information and that someday another
generation of history lovers will follow in our footsteps and record the next
seventy years of our beloved Galena's history.


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Hoover Reservoir

We begin our recorded history of Galena with the construction of Hoover
Reservoir. It was built to meet the growing demand for water in Columbus, and
the reservoir was viewed by many as simply a sign of progress. Beginning in 1952,
the structure was completed and dedicated in 1955. A year later, the reservoir
was full of water. These simple facts seem mundane and easily forgettable yet
the reservoir would meet Columbus' expansion needs and be a wonderful
recreational destination for boaters and fisherman.

But behind the scenes of this major project, or more accurately, under the water,
were a host of changes thrust upon the Village of Galena. These changes were
not welcomed by everyone in Galena and several hundred residents were
displaced. There were combined efforts by some of the local citizens to seek fair
compensation for the soon to be flooded seven square miles of their land.
Furthermore, the reservoir resulted in significant changes to Galena roads,
businesses, wildlife, farmland, and ancestral burial sites. And so begins our
recorded history of Galena.


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The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (5)

Hoover Reservoir Changed Galena's Town Square, Roads, and Bridges


Hoover Reservoir significantly altered the creeks, bridges, roads, cemetery,
businesses, and homes of Galena.

The Little Walnut Creek widened immensely once the waters of Hoover filled in
the reservoir. It is hard to imagine now, but you could leap across the creek in
places before Hoover was built. Sometimes now, when the waters of the
reservoir are low, you can still see the front steps of houses that used to be
located close to the bridge over the Little Walnut Creek. The earth that was
moved to make way for the expanding waters of the reservoir in that area, was
then used to build up the high ground across from Dustin Road. A few of the
homes now located on that hill were actually moved to this high, dry ground, sans
their steps. Foundations of previous homes can also be found along the Weiss
Road bike trail. And, if you stand on the Old 3C Bridge and look underneath it,
you can see the old bridge abutment that was there before the elevation of the
bridge was raised.

The Big Walnut Creek changed very little with the advent of Hoover Reservoir. Its
width did increase where it flows into the reservoir, but very little of the creek
running along side the east side of the Village Square was altered.

Old 3C Highway was also changed to make way for the waters of Hoover
Reservoir. approximately one-third mile of Old 3C was slightly re-located within
the Village limits, and its elevation was increased by twenty feet. This resulted in
changes to the Village Square and to both bridges leading into and out of the
Village. In fact, the Village Square was not square at all. It was shaped
more like two triangles with a road through the middle until the reservoir was
built and Old 3C was relocated. This new road configuration gave downtown
Galena its square shape and also accommodated the relocation of the bridge
going out of Galena towards Vans Valley Road. The old bridge abutment to Vans
Valley Road can still be seen on the east side of the village square. This old Bridge
led directly to Vans Valley Road without traveling on Sunbury Road like you need
to do now. This section of Vans Valley Road was abandoned and the new bridge
that was built lead directly to the newly relocated Sunbury Road as we know it at
this time.


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Other roads in the village were vacated, some were relocated, and some ceased
to exist entirely due to the accumulated water in the reservoir.

Galena Carters Corners-Taylors Corners Road ran roughly parallel to the Little
Walnut Creek on the west side before Hoover was constructed. It was not a
paved road and was completely abandoned after Hoover was built. Replacing it,
in a sense, was the new addition to Dustin Road which also runs parallel to the
creek.

The expansion of the Little Walnut Creek also resulted in changes to Galena's
cemetery. Approximately three hundred graves were moved up the hill closer to
Walnut Street. See the cemetery section of this book for more information.

Water Street used to run straight over the Little Walnut Creek. It was
reconfigured on the east side of the creek and turned sharply to become West
Street. The old bridge abutments where Water Street crossed the creek are
plainly visible. When Water Street crossed over the creek, it joined up with
Dustin Road. Water Street was very narrow and you can still see old part of it on
the west side of the creek, if you walk from the bottom of the bike trail on Dustin
Road straight east toward the creek.

Additional changes to to roads close to the Village Square also took place. Harrison
Street at the time was called Sunbury Road on maps of the era, and it ran along
the east side of the square and continued down along what is now the Village
Coffee Shop and a few housed behind that business. This same section of toad
was also called Yankee Street. The street ran out into what is now the reservoir.
This portion of Sunbury Road/Yankee Street was vacated and relocated to make it
possible for drivers to travel straight thru the downtown square, and continue on
their way east on Sunbury Road as we know it today towards Vans Valley Road.
Yankee Street ceased to exist in the Village and now only a portion of it remains
off of Sunbury Road outside of the Village limits.

Front Street, the "U" shaped street running along the Coffee Vault, around behind
it, and then past the entrance to the Boardwalk, and continuing back to Old 3C,
used to be more "L" shaped according to maps of the era. It is hard to determine
where exactly the "L" came out on Old 3C.


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Finally, Park Street was named after Hoover was built. Although the north side of
the square existed at the time, the "road" in front of the businesses there was not
named on maps of the era.

The east side of the square was changed the most due to Hoover Reservoir.
Homes and businesses were located there. Today that area is a paved parking lot
facing the Big Walnut Creek. The homes and businesses sat on stilts in the back
due to the steep drop-off of the land toward the creek. The City of Columbus
thought the stilts were too dangerous and were concerned about rising water
levels, so they tore down all the buildings along the east side of the square. Some
of the buildings lost were Virgil Kincaid's Hardware Store, Mae McMahon's
Restaurant and Frank McMahon's Auto Repair Shop.


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Galena's Businesses


The Village of Galena had had a wide variety of businesses in the quaint town
square as well as a smattering of businesses throughout the village limits.

Hoover Reservoir changed the infrastructure of downtown Galena, and those
changes are cited elsewhere in this book. Information on businesses in Galena
pre-Hoover can be found in our museum. Here we will list the businesses that
have made Galena their home from the 1960s to the present. Most addresses
have housed more than one business, as the merchants and companies have
continually changed to meet the needs of the Galena community.


South Side of Square:

9 W Columbus

The Galena Bank

The Galena Municipal building

The Coffee Vault

33 W. Columbus

Allerton's Grocery Store, Cardinal Market

Longbranch Pizza

Galena Art Glass and Coffee Shop

Jules Java and Grille

Galena Diner

17 W. Columbus

Cache Boutique

Bob Kenney's Barbershop

19 W. Columbus

Jimmy Vance's Tire and Battery Shell Station


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The Filling Station Restaurant with Pony Express General Store

Mama Marinelli's Deli and Pub at Smuggler's Cove

John and Betty's Toy Shop

Nancy Murphy, HER Realtors

Toni's Trattoria Restaurant

Beauty Salon - 2nd floor


31 W. Columbus

White's Bait Store - right side of building

Driftwood

Clock Grill

Donovan's Pub

Mudflats

Son of Thurman Cafe


46 Columbus Street

Coldwater Consulting, LLC

Northside of Square:

18 West Park Street

Gordon Walker Grocery

Roy Jahn Grocery

Harold Ferris Grocery

The Delaware County Bank and Trust Company

Mattison Yoder CPAs

West Side of Square:

15 Middle Street

Bait and Tackle Shop with Pool Hall



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William Evans, Specialized Systems

Norm Fountain Insurance

21 Middle Street

Laurence M Ihle, M.D.

James Whitney, Attorney at Law

Clark Agnew, Realtor

Kenneth J. Molnar, LPA

Jeffrey W. Sharp, LPA

Porter R. Welch, LPA

39 Middle Street

Galena Veterinary Care

10 West Street

Galena Veterinary Care

10 West Street

Dari Twist

Walnut Street

DeVore Funeral Home

314 N. Walnut Street

Martha Lee's Sewing Shop

542 N. Walnut Street

Marian L. Paisley, LPA

577 N. Walnut Street

Sambuca's


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580 N. Walnut Street

Arrowhead Golf Course

Harrison Street

199
Harrison Street

Plummer's Plumbing Business

233 Harrison Street

Bob McElwee's Barbershop

315 Harrison Street

John Shult Sales and Services

Bland Company Contractors

Larry Rader lawn Equipment

Sunbury Woodcrafters

Wise Heating and cooling

319 Harrison Street

Martin Auto body

Phil's Collision

Holmes Street

44 Holmes

Sunbury Galena Transmission Service - Joe Underwood

Jumpin Joe Underwood's Bluegrass Garage (Ralph Stanley played to 750 people
on May 5, 2001.

Your Neighborhood Mechanic

Kurt J. Lesker Electronics

Butch Frissora Metal Roofing (They fabricated the roof for the Polaris
Amphitheater

Krinn Cabinets


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Outdoor Decor Landscaping

Kolher Home Improvement

Lavish Motors LLC/ Bolon Plumbing
BrushCo Painting

LowGlow LED Auto Lighting

Tricline LLC

Face -Off Fitness

Manny Granite Countertops

*An old red barn set on this property in the 1960s and 1970s and was used for
storage of Big Walnut Buses and a Tennessee Walker horse named Star.

This was also the location of the Berkshire Township Auto Impound Lot.

72 Holmes

Galena Shale Tile and Brick Company

Galena Brick Products, Inc.

Porter Drywall

Facemyer Landscaping and Backhoe Service

Division 7 Roofing

127 Holmes

Optek


*The Galena Historic Foundation thanks Chris & Karin Underwood for their
assistance with this section of our book.


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Photo
Middle Street - 2022

Photo
South side of square - 2022


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The Galena Cemetery


The cemetery in Galena is located on Walnut Street halfway between the
village square and Route 3. As of this 2023 writing, there are over 1,800
graves in the cemetery. And like the other topics in this book, the
construction of Hoover Reservoir even changed the cemetery. Almost
three hundred graves* from the South Section, North Section, Brown's
Addition, and the Oakdale Addition of the original cemetery had to be
relocated further up the hill toward Walnut Street to allow for the
expansion of water in Little Walnut Creek due to the dam.

The cemetery is rich in military history. Veterans from every war/conflict in
America's history are interred on the grounds at this time. In fact, the
Galena Cemetery is the final resting place for ten Revolutionary War
soldiers more than are in any other central Ohio cemetery of its size**.
Veterans from the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Spanish American War,
WWI, WWII, the Korean Conflict, Vietnam, and the Gulf War are also buried
in the Galena Cemetery.

The Oldest graves in the cemetery have birth dates within the mid to late
1700's. As in any old cemetery, some of the headstones have decomposed
beyond recognition, and some graves never had headstones.

Honoring our country's veterans has been a long-standing family tradition
in Galena. The practice began with Civil War Veteran John H. Dustin placing
a flag on Memorial Day on the grave of each veteran buried in Galena.
Charlie Bricker, himself a veteran of WWI, helped decorate the graves with
Mr. Dustin. A year before Mr. Dustin died he pleaded for a promise from
Charlie to continue the tradition***. Charlie Bricker kept his promise and
decorated the soldiers' graves up to the mid 1960's when the tradition was
passed on to his son, Howard. Howard Bricker decorated the graves until
his death in 2013 at which time his nephew , John Bricker, took over the
responsibility. John is a founding member of Galena's Historic Foundation.

A complete list of names of those buried in the cemetery, along with a
compilation of obituaries, is available at the Galena Museum.


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*See The Sunbury News, Thursday, June 14, 1956 edition
**See Doris Bricker's History of Galena
***From an article in The Columbus Dispatch dated May 25, 1958, pg 48,
section B

Photo
Veterans grave decorated for Memorial Day - 2022


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GALENA BRICK


Galena's most well-known industry was the "brickyard." The brick plant
operated for one hundred years and is the most significant business in Galena's
history. Therefore, we will include some information on the brickyard prior to to the
construction of Hoover Reservoir.

Brick was first made in Galena around 1820 using clay found in local fields. The
Nathan Dustin Home, currently the law offices on the village square, and the
Galena Post Office were made from these bricks. Horses powered the rotary
mixer for the bricks, and wooden molds were used to shape the bricks. The
unfired bricks were stacked in specific patterns in tunnels to allow for maximum
heat and airflow, and wood was burned for a week or more to fire and finish the
brick.

In 1893 the first Galena brick plant was built on Holmes Street on the northern
edge of the village. The factory only produced brick in the summer. In winter
production was focused on drain tiles. Wood fired bee-hive kilns were used to
make both products. Clay for the bricks was found in back of the plant using
a horse drawn scraper. The plant was literally a one horse operation.

in 1924 Mr. B. L. Shultz discovered Bedford Shale on a farm near Galena. He
experimented with mixing pulverized shale and discerned that the shale, when
mixed with clay, formed a superior clay product. this let to his creating a new
company. The Galena Shale Tile & Brick Company. A narrow gauge railway was
built to access the "shale pit" which was located near what is now the Walnut
Creek Sub-Division. A portion of the track of the dinky railway is now the bike
development. The Galena Historical Museum has a piece of the Narrow gauge
railway on exhibit. New kilns were built and the factory began to make building
tile, drain tile, and brick year round.

In 1935 the plant was destroyed by fire. A new plant arose quickly from the ashes
and produced just one product, brick. In 1950 the plant was remodeled to to utilize
the most modern method of brick production.


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Just after Hoover Reservoir was built, the brickyard constructed a tunnel kiln in
1957 for use in the firing process.

In the 1960's and 1970s, both cored and solid brick were produced. shale and
fireclay brick were made to be exactly true and symmetrical. The bricks were
produced in a variety of colors.

Colonial style bricks were very popular in this time period, so the plant updated
their operation to include a machine that pressed mixed clay and shale into
wooden molds containing pockets for seven brick. One of these wooden molds
can be found in the village museum. the manufacturing of these bricks required a
lot of hand labor.

In the early 1970's the plant resumed production, on a limited basis, of their hand
made bricks. These bricks were much sought after for their longevity and
strength.

Ceramic surface bricks were also produces at this time. The colorful glazed bricks
were requested by many national companies wanting their brick building to
show their colors.

The Galena Shale Tile & Brick Company produced over one million bricks a week
for many years. It employed up to 125 people, many of whom spent their entire
careers manufacturing brick. However, when the demand for brick fell in the
early 1980's, the plant was closed. The company was auctioned off in July of 1983.
Several million brick still remained on the property along with buildings,
machinery, and other equipment. Frank Hopper, whose son Tom would later
become Galena's longest serving mayor, bought the plant and the Hopper Family
continued to operate it for a few more years. In 1995, the plant closed for good.
Today the plant site is a small industrial park owned by Division 7 Roofing.

Several other items from the brickyard are on exhibit in the museum.

**Much of the information in this section comes from R. Gene Fuller, a former
employee of the plant, and his presentation "The Galena Shale Tile & Brick Co."
Galena, Ohio, Famous Galena Brick." For more information, visit our museum to
see the publication "The Galena Shale Tile & Brick co." printed to commemorate
the American Revolution Bicentennial 1776-1976.


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Photo
Galena Shale Tile & Brick Co. - early 1960's


Photo
Galena Shale Tile & Brick Co. - late 1960's


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Galena Schools


Galena's first school was a log cabin built before 1816 near what is now the
Journey Church on the point in Galena. The building also served as a church.
While constructing a new school in 1867, a prehistoric mound was discovered
there. Many other fascinating details about the early school can be found in Doris
Bricker's book "Welcome to the Village of Galena 1816- 1996". Copies of her
book are at the Galena Museum.

During the construction of Hoover Reservoir in the early 1950's, the Galena school
was enlarged to include a locker room, a cafeteria, and more classrooms. The
cupola on top of the original school was removed in 1951. Pictures of the original
school building and the cupola are at the Galena Museum.

Also in 1950, the school district made several changes involving their buildings
and student re-locations. Galena high school students went to Sunbury High
School. The next year they went to the then new Big Walnut High School. The
Galena school continued to serve elementary students of various grades, with
much shuffling of the children as students attended various schools in the district
Grades on thru five attended school in Galena until 1978. Next, it was then used
for sixth graders. In 1991, the building was remodeled and became the
administration offices for the Big Walnut Local Schools.

In April of 2013, the administrative offices at this location were moved, and the
school building itself was auctioned off. Journey Church now owns and holds
services and events at what was once the Galena School.

*Much of this information comes from Polly Horn's article "Because You
Asked....History of the Galena School Building"


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Photo
Galena School - circa 1960's

Photo
Galena School - circa 1970's



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Galena Churches


There were two churches in Galena at the time Hoover Reservoir was built. The
Galena United Methodist Church and The Church of the Nazarene.

For historical information on the Galena Museum's article entitled "Two Hundred Years
as Methodists in Galena, Ohio" written by Galena resident and historian David
Simmons. This is an excellent written history of the church and has a list of the
church's ministers from 1807 to the present. The article also includes information
from the mid-1950s until 2013. What follows is a very brief summary of the
church since Hoover Reservoir was built.

Shortly after Hoover went in, the Methodist church, which was located in what
now is the Village Hall, collaborated with the recently formed Methodist
Theological School in Ohio (Methesco) to serve as training site for student
pastors for sever years,.

In 1969, the fellowship hall and basement classrooms were expanded, and a new
kitchen was built. The women's group of the church began selling wonderful
meals on Election Day and a few other special occasions. Karen Debolt, Judy
Denton, and Melinda Simmons organized many of these meals. This tasty
tradition continues to this day.

Additional remodeling of the church continued into the early 2000s. Many
logistical concerns were examined at that time, and the decision was made to
build a new worship center. Services began in July 2008 at their new site located
at 2777 Sunbury Road.

The old church building was purchased by the Village of Galena in the fall of 2012.
At this time, it serves as the home for the local government offices and the Galena
Historic Foundation Museum.

The other church holding services in Galena in the mid-1950's was the church of
the Nazarene. It had just moved to 217 Harrison Street and started planning to
move to 127 Holmes Street. The church later moved to Sunbury.

In the early 21st century, another church began to serve the Galena community.
The Journey Fellowship Church worshiped first at the Big Walnut Intermediate.


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Building before moving to the vacant Fling Hardware building. The church
settled right into the Galena community and began to help with the Village's
Easter Egg Hunt and the annual Galena Christmas Tree Lighting event.


Photo
Fellowship Journey Church - 2022


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Photo
Galena Methodist Church - Harrison Street


Photo
Galena Methodist Church - Sunbury Road


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Mayors of Galena since the building of Hoover Reservoir


Paul Evarts and Harold Reservoir. Evarts served as mayor from 1948 to 1954, and Roof
served as mayor form 1954 to 1960.

The following people have served as the Mayor of Galena since 1960.

Hugh Strider -1960-1966

Gordon Walker - 1966 to 1972

Willie York - 1972 to 1984

Donald E. Miller - 1984 to 1994
Miller Park, located across from the Village Cemetery, was named after Mayor
Don.

Ronald Lehman - 1994 to 1996

John Harpst - 1996 to 2000

Thomas hopper - 2000 to 2020
Tom is Galena's longest serving Mayor.

Jill Love 2020 to 2024


(Pictures of Galena's mayors, dating back to the 1920s, can be found at the Village
Office building).


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Galena, Ohio History of Trails

Trails have always been an important part of Galena and the surrounding area.
Centuries before the first explorers and trappers ever set foot in what is now
Delaware County, Native Americans lived here. Over the years, several Tribes
called this area home. Most of the Tribes did not live peacefully with other
Tribes and wars took place usually over hunting grounds. Some Tribes formed
alliances and merged to help protect each other's territory.

Over time, trails and trade routes were established in order to make easier travel
between villages. These trails usually followed existing animal trails that had
been here for years. After the white explorers introduced horses to North
America, these trails were improved to make travel much easier.

When the early pioneers migrated west, they traveled the existing trails prior to
roadways being constructed. In fact, many of our present day highways were
built on the base of early Native American trails.

When the first settlers arrived in what is now the Village of Galena Ohio, they
discovered Indian Mounds or ceremonial earthworks in the area of the current
Journey Church and Galena Village Hall. There were other nearby mounds as
well. since these mounds were an important part of their religion, trails came
thru Galena from all directions.

After modern vehicles came along, walking trails were no longer popular, so many
trails disappeared back into nature. In the last several years' bike and walking
trails have become very desirable, with new ones being added each year. when
many of the state's railroads were shut down, a group of bicycle enthusiasts saw
an opportunity to turn these rail beds into bike and walking trails.

The synopsis above and the information that follows was written and graciously
supplied by former Galena Mayor Thomas Hopper and former Village
Administrator Jeanna Burrell. These two individuals, along with the village
Council, were leaders in the establishment of the present Galena Trail System we
enjoy today.


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Donald E. Miller Memorial Park Walking Trail: Installed in 1997 in Miller Park, the
park and trail are named after Mayor Donald Miller who served the village from
1984-1994. The western most section was rebuilt and replaced as part of The
Galena Brick Trail Phase 1 project in 2016.

The Walnut Creek Trail: the bridge and rail bed, originally built by the Galena
Shale Tile & Brick company, were used to transport shale, for the making of brick,
from the quarry east of Joe Walker Road to the company's manufacturing plant
located on Holmes Street. The rail line was abandoned and removed in 1983.

The original section of The Walnut Creek Trai was built by Maronda Homes as
part of their construction of the Walnut Creek Subdivision in 2007. This section
ran from just east of Big Walnut Creek to the eastern terminus of the trail at Joe
Walker Road. In 2006, the former narrow gauge railway bridge over Big Walnut
Creek and the rail bed west to Harrison Street/Old 3CHighway, were purchased
with funding from the Ohio to Erie Trail Fund and Delaware County Friends of the
Trail (DCFT) and donated to the village of Galena.

The village then obtained grant funding with help from Delaware County Friends
of the Trail to build a covered trail bridge using the original superstructure of the
bridge. After changing the design to a non-covered bridge made of white oak
timbers, the trail was constructed from the end of the Maronda Homes section to
just east of Harrison Street. Funding was provided using a grant from the Clean
Ohio Trail Fund (COTF), administered by the Ohio Department of Natural
Resources, with matching funds provided by the village of Galena and Delaware
County of the trail. Paving of the Trail, including the rail bed opening
under Old 3C Highway and connecting top Harrison Street.

The trail was named The Walnut Creek Trail and the bridge was named Kane's
Crossing, in honor of the reduced selling price contribution of the former owner,
Robert Kane. The bridge and trail were opened with a ribbon cutting on August
29, 2010. The trail was originally to became a segment of The Ohio to Erie Trail
due to opposition at the time for running the trail through Sunbury. The main
route was later altered to go through Sunbury on the main rail bed. The Walnut
Creek trail is now to to become part of a future alternate route.


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The Thomas W. Hopper Legacy Trail: a segment of the Ohio to Erie Trail: The
trail was renamed from The Galena Brick Trail in November of 2019 to honor the
former Galena Mayor's thirty-years of service to the village of Galena. The trail
replaced, partially, the Hoover Scenic Walkway and was built in three phases.

The Hoover Scenic Walkway: The trail was converted from the former Big 4 (later
Penn Central then Conrail) rail bed in the late 1980's by Village Public Service
Director John Bland, volunteers, and Village crews after the sale by Conrail. This
trail went from Dustin Road to Walnut Street. It was later renamed and became a
section of The Galena Brick Trail Phase 1 when work began on the upgrade to The
Ohio to Erie Trail. The observation deck on the west side of Little Walnut Creek
was added in 2002 on the base of the former railroad water tower by Bland and
Village crews. This trail is not to be confused with The Hoover Scenic Trail opened
in 2019, maintained by preservation Parks of Delaware County, on City of
Columbus property, that runs from Wiese Road to Plumb Road.

The Galena Brick Trail Phase 1: Ribbon cutting/opened October 26, 2014, for the
section from Dustin Road, through Donald E. Miller memorial park, ending at
Holmes Street. Spearheaded by former Galena Village Administrator Jeanna
Burrell, the Village had received 2014 grant funding, but the initial bids came in
too high and eventually the project was re-bid and extended to 2016. Included in
this phase was the installation of a new wooden deck with safety railings on the
unique and historic high bridge over Little Walnut Creek/Hoover Reservoir. The
trail passes by a train themed playground in Miller 0park that recalls the history of
the working rail line and the nearby site of the former Galena Brick factory. This
section was built using a grant from the Clean Ohio Trail Fund, administered by
the Ohio Department of Natural Resources with matching fund provided by the
Village of Galena, Other groups such as Delaware County Friends of the Trail, the
Delaware County Foundation, and individual donations.

The Galena Brick Trail Phase 2: Opened November 2018, ribbon cutting
ceremony April 13, 2019. This section runs from Holmes Street north to the
northern line of property which had been donated to the village by Delaware
County Friends of the Trail. They had purchased the property from The Galena
Commerce Center using grant funding from The Ohio to Erie Trail Fund. This line
is just east of the Heathermere Subdivision. This section was also built using a


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The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (28)

grant from the Clean Ohio Trail Fund, administered by the Ohio Department of
Natural Resources with matching funds provided by the Village of Galena.

The Galena Brick Trail Phase 3: Ribbon cutting ceremony November 9, 2019. This
section runs from the end of Phase 2 north to the villages of Galena and Sunbury
corporate limit lines. It connects there with The Sandel Legacy Trail, a segment of
The Ohio to Erie Trail (formerly known as The Big Walnut Community Trail),
owned and maintained by Preservation Parks of Delaware County. It also
connects to a trail heading west, through the communities at Sunbury subdivision,
to near Ohio State Route 3. Bids for Phase 3 came in underestimate and allowed
for the construction of a connector trail from the main trail west to Zoar Street,
south of Flintlock Drive. This section was also built using a grant from the Clean
Ohio Trail Fund, administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The
land for this section was donated to the Village by the Arrowhead Lake Estates
subdivision developers (also known as The Communities at Galena). Because the
value of this donation was used as the "match" for the grant, no matching fund
dollars were provided by the Village of Galena.

The work of writing the grant applications for all three phases was done by former
Village Administrator Jeanna Burrell. She also managed construction of the first
two phases. Construction of Phase 3 was completed under the management of
her successor, former Village Administrator Jeff White.

Future trail plans, as of 2022:

Village plans are for a trail to run through the Galena Commerce Center east
to Harrison St./Old 3C Highway to connect The Thomas W. Hopper Legacy Trail/Ohio
to Erie Trail to The Walnut Creek Trail. The granting of an easement for the land
to construct this connection was agreed upon in 2019. This easement has not yet
been recorded.

Plans have been discussed with Preservation Parks of Delaware County and
American Electric Power to connect The Walnut Creek Trail north along Big
Walnut Creek as an alternate route where it will rejoin the Ohio to Erie Trail north
of State Route 37. The village Master Plan of 2010 calls for all Village
neighborhoods to be interconnected.

History of the Village of Galena trail development partner Delaware County
Friends of the Trail (DSFT):


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The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (29)

DCFT was formed in 2000 to focus on completing the Delaware County of the
Ohio to Erie Trail. Volunteers were devoted to trail advocacy and outreach with
local and state government, community organizations, and developers. They
focused on fundraising through their annual Community Ties Bike Ride, Brick-by-
Brick Campaign, and grant writing. The group worked on public relations and
education about trails and trail-related issues. Upon progress of the final phases
of OET in Delaware County, the group disbanded in 2021. Development of
the trail systems in Galena would not have been possible without the contributions
of time, energy, and funding from DCFT.

Photo
The Galena train trestle walkway bridge - 2022


29

The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (30)

Parks and Recreation Events in Galena

Galena has always been an ideal place to raise a family. The Village and an
amazing number of volunteers for years have organized community events for
kids of all ages to enjoy. Such dedication to childhood fun and future fond adult
memories merits mention of a list of the Galena Parks and Recreation Committees
since the 1970's. Their hard work encompassed events throughout the entire year
including: the annual Easter Egg Hunt, Memorial Day services, the Ice Cream
Social, Canoe Races, Softball and Baseball leagues, Summer fest, the Galena Fall
Festival, Trick or Treat and Halloween costume contest, and the Galena Christmas
Tree Lighting ceremony.

The Parks and Recreation Committee Members responsible for all these activities
were:

1970's - Margie Potts Bowen, Kathryn Cook, John Bland, George Hogg, Helen
Campbell, Louise Fissel, and Walter Goodrich (decorating the Village Christmas
Tree).

1980-1987 - John Bland (Recreation Director), Melinda Simmons, David Simmons,
Sharon Bland, George Hogg, Paul Shivers (organized Memorial Day activities),
Martha Lee ( made Christmas Ornaments from 1983 thru 2010). David Simmons
has conducted the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony ever since 1983.

1988- Eldon Chambers (Council Representative), Melinda Simmons, Sharon
Bland, Kathryn Cook, Miki Betrone.

1989 - Eldon Chambers (Council Representative), Melinda Simmons, Sharon
Bland, Kathryn Cook, Miki Betrone.

1990 and 1991 - Diane Gibson (Council Representative), Melinda Simmons,
Sharon Bland, John Bland, David Nice, Fran Nice.

1992- 1994 Eldon Chambers (Council Representative), Sharon Bland, Melinda
Simmons, Pat Reed, Carol Hoelzel.

1995 - Susan Laudick (Chair), Kriss Jenny-Case, Carol Hoelzel, Eldon Chambers,
Karin Underwood.

1996 - Susan Laudick (Chair), Karin Underwood, Miki Betrone, and Sharon Bland.


30

The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (31)

1997 - Susan Laudick (Chair), Karin Underwood, Miki Betrone, Sharon Bland,
Melinda Simmons.

1998 - Susan Luadick (Chair), John Bland, Karin Underwood, Thresa Karn, Melinda Simmons, Sharon Bland.

1999 - Susan Laudick (Chair), John Bland, Karin Underwood, Thresa Karin, Melinda Simmons, Sharon Bland.

2000 - Susan Laudick (Chair), John Bland, Karl Hildebrand, Melinda Simmons,
Karin Underwood, Thresa Karin, Steve Fleak, Anne Brown, Sherry Shumate.

2001 & 2002 - Susan Laudick (Chair), John Bland, Karl Hildebrand, Melinda
Simmons, Karin Underwood, Thresa Karn, Steve Fleak, Anne Brown, Sherry
Shumate, Eldon Chambers, Tony Hamilton.

2003 & 2004 - Karin Underwood (Chair), John Bland, Karl Hildebrand, Susi
Kossman, Melinda Simmons, Thresa Karn, Anne Brown, Sherry Shumate, Eldon
Chambers, Tony Hamilton, Michelle Parsons.

2005 & 2006 - Susie Kossman (Co-Chair), Karin Underwood (Co-Chair), John
Bland, Eldon Chambers, Nancy Feole, Thresa Karn, Stephanie Paese, Michelle
Parsons, Melinda Simmons.

2007 thru 2009 - Karin Underwood (Chair), Melinda Simmons, John Bland, Sharon
Bland, Eldon Chambers, Thresa Karn, Candance Bragalone.

2010 thru 2013 - Karin Underwood , Melinda Simmons

2014 until present - Journey Church runs the Easter Egg Hunt and holds a
Christmas Open House (including) one hour before the Christmas Tree
Lighting on the Village Square.

2014- thru 2020 Melina Simmons & Mary Brook put on the Halloween Party

2021 - Karin Underwood and Michelle Parsons conduct the Halloween party

2022 - information unavailable

2023 - Zachary Happer, Kath Farkas


31

The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (32)

Easter Egg Hunt

At 1:00 on the Sunday before Easter, families and friends of Galena start
gathering at the top of Ruffner Park on Harrison Street to get ready for the annual
Easter Egg Hunt. Children eagerly awaited George Hogg with his booming voice
to shout "Listen Up" which meant it was time to listen to directions for the event.
Later, David Simmons would get everyone's attention with the aid of a
megaphone when starting the fun.

Per the aforementioned instructions, groups were led down the hill according to
their age:

First - Children under four, with parents

Second - Children under four without parents

Third - ages five thru seven

fourth - ages eight thru ten

Children eleven to fourteen are given special instructions for the treasure hunt.

Each age group has a roped off section in the park where they line up until they
receive the "GO" signal. Each group has one prize egg, and the person finding it
receives a large Easter basket full of goodies.

After all eggs have been accounted for, volunteers walk around with baskets of
eggs to make sure every child has plenty. There are also boxes of small toys for
each age group so that each child can pick one present.

Ages five to ten also participate in a candy and coin toss. Some years there have
been games for the eight to ten year olds to win prizes.

The scavenger hunt first started with the older children following clues to find
silver dollars hidden within the Village. Parents were concerned about their
children running throughout the Village, so it was decided to move the scavenger
hunt to the park. Wooden paint stirrers were painted green and stuck in the
ground in a section of the park. Finders of the sticks were rewarded with a dollar
coin.

In the 1970s and early 1980s only hard-boiled colored eggs donated by village
residents were the objectives of the Easter Egg hunt. Alas, someone did not


32

The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (33)

understand the concept of hard-boiled so a change was necessary. since 1984
only plastic eggs filled with candy and coins have been used. More than two
thousand eggs have been hidden in recent years.

Many groups have volunteered to stuff and hide the eggs throughout the years;
the Parks and Recreation Committees, the Galena United Methodist Youth Group,
and Girl Scout Troops 2196 and 1569 to name a few. Since 2014 the Journey
Fellowship Church has been in charge ot the Easter Egg Hunt.

We thank everyone who has helped make the annual event a huge success.


Memorial Day

The annual Memorial Day Service in Galena is observed at 1:00 p.m. at the World
War II memorial on the Village Square. The program includes a Welcome, the
raising of the Flag and Pledge of Allegiance, an Opening Prayer, a Song, a Poem, a
Veteran buried in the Cemetery, and other speakers also say a few words. A
Benediction, a 21 Gun Salute, and the playing of Taps concludes the ceremony.

The Veterans highlighted by Daved Smmons in the past were:

2006 - Herman W. Allen
2007 - Hugh C. Hughes
2008 - David E. Bricker
1010 - Whitman Cunningham
2013 - J.J. Adams
2012 - Orris Lawson
2013 - War of 1812
2014 - Henry Slack
2015 - Merrit Van fleet
2016 - Lee Roy Fetholf
2017 - Charlie C. Bricker
2018 - Frank Walker Bennett
2019 - Paul Jackson
2022 - Jay Dyer


33

The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (34)

Photo


Ice Cream Social

From 2002 until 2013, there was an Ice Cream Social held at the end of August
each year from 6 to 8 in the evening. The event was held at the Ruffner Park
shelter house. The affair encouraged neighbors to get to know each other, and
children were encouraged to play in the park. In 2003, eighty persons attended.

Over the years, Clown Charley Kuhl and Crafty the Clown entertained the children
by making balloon animals.

The ice cream served was originally from Ollie's ice cream and later the cool
refreshment was from an ice cream shop in Sunbury. Servers were Karin
Underwood, Susie Kossmann, Melinda Simmons, Carrie Simmons, and Theresa
Karn. Others assisted from time to time.


34

The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (35)

In 2014, Joe Stoll, Council Member, hosted the Ice Cream Social at Miller Park in
June with the help of Genoa Baptist Church. There was also a bounce house, face
painting, and carnival games.

The ice cream socials were always a good time for the community with neighborly
conversations and free ice cream.


Canoe Races

Canoe races were held in Galena in 1969 and 1970. The races started at Ruffner
Park on Big Walnut Creek and ended at the bridge abutments on Little Walnut
Creek at Water Street. The categories were: Senior Class (17 years and older).
Junior Class (12 to 16 years old), Couples (two canoers 16 years and older, or one
canoer 16 and older and one canoer over 21). A special kayak race was also held
for those fourteen and older.

In 1969 fifteen teams were entered in the qualifying races over a two and one-
half mile course. Trophies were awarded to: Guy Fotsythe and Dave Bond for
winning the first heat, Randy Borden and Tom Carr for winning the second heat,
and Bon McElfresh and Ron Barrett for winning the third heat. Tom Carr and
Randy Borden later won the Championship race with a time of 47:37:8 minutes
over a seven and one-half mile course. Margie and Dave Potts of Galena won the
couple class. Due to liability concerns 1970 was the last year of the canoe races.


Softball/Baseball

Ruffner Park's ball diamond has hosted many ball games through the years.

In 1967, John Bland and his cousin, Larry Rood, played slow pitch softball in
Columbus and Westerville leagues. They convinced some teams to come to
Galena and join other Big Walnut area teams to form a league with John Bland as
Program Director. League Directors over the years were George Hogg, Earl
"Butch" Feazel, Dan Conner, Mark Matthews, and Dan Griffith.

The league grew from eight teams in 1968 to 24 teams in the 1980's. There were
nightly leagues Monday thru Thursday and in 1980 the teams were:


35

The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (36)

Monday Night

Galena
Fling Hardware
Bry Air
Taylors Gen Store
Lebart Corp
Village Tavern

Tuesday Night

Hanby Nine
The Team
New Albany C of C
Tech Rubber
Conditional Power
Bills Body Shop

Wednesday Night

Devore Funeral
Fargo H & C
Bates Film
M.A. Delco
Freddys

Thursday Night

Fry's Car Wash
Sunbury IGA
The Pizza House
Carlo Ceils
Westerville Softspray
Reflections by Denny

There were other teams that played in Galena in the 1970's. For further
information, check the Galena Slow Pitch Softball league book at the Galena
Museum.

The ballgames became a favorite pastime for some Galena residents. Oakie and
Bea Potts, who lived across the street from the ball diamond, started a
refreshment stand which was later run by Elaine Bland, Adam Shivers, and some
other local teens as a way to make some money. The Delaware County EMS had a
squad stationed at the brick building (now Village maintenance building ) in
the park so emergency help was readily available.

In the 1990's Jeff Dutiel, a coach with the Columbus Sharks, started using the
diamond and worked tirelessly over five years to get donations and materials to
Refurbish the field. USSA League Boys Pony Baseball and Big Walnut Junior
Baseball helped with these endeavors.

In November, 2004 the Village Council voted to name the ball diamond Jeff Dutiel
Field, recognizing his hard work on the diamond and in organizing local baseball
and softball games.


Summerfest

Summerfest was organized by the Greater Galena Civic Association. The first year
for the festival was 2009 to celebrate Galena's Bicentennial. The Festival was held
annually through 2021 except for the years 2010 (bridge replacement) and 2020
(Covid). Admission was free and there were arts and crafts, good food, musical
entertainment, a beer garden, Galena Parks and Historic wagon tour, Osprey and
Chimney Swift viewing, a Kid's Zone that included Pony rides, Bounce Houses,
balloon sculptures, free caricature drawing, and a reptile show. A helicopter form


36

The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (37)

the Ohio State Patrol also flew around the Village and landed at Ruffner Park
drawing large crowds.


Galena Fall Gathering

2020 was the first year for the Galena Fall Gathering. the day's events included: a
good morning breakfast at the Galena Vault, Fitness classes on the square, Car
Show by the Mid-Ohio Porsche Club, a corn hole tournament, Taste of Big Walnut
foods, Primrose Kids Zone, a duck pond, and cooking contests. Vendors of all
sorts were set up around the Village Square, and the bands for the evening were
North to Nashville, Lt. Dan's New Legs, Famous Johnson Brothers, and A.J. Angelo.

There was an emergency center station behind Journey Fellowship and parking
shuttles from the Sunbury Christian Church, Galena Methodist Church, Big Walnut
Middle School, Big Walnut Elementary, and the Galena parking lot on North
Walnut Street.

The event raised money for improvements to the Galena parks and cancer
research. Many volunteers and donations from local businesses and individuals
made the first year a success.


Halloween

Halloween has always been an entertaining time in Galena. Trick or Treat usually
ran from 6:00 to 7:15 p,m, and the annual costume contest, with doughnuts and
cider for all, started at 7:30 p.m.

In the 1970's the party was held in the first Municipal Building, which is now the
village maintenance building located at 170 Harrison Street. In 1980, the event
was moved to the shelter house in Ruffner Park. Since 2014 the contest has been
held in the village Hall.

The contest was judged by age groups and there was also a group theme award.
First, second, and third place winners were selected by impartial volunteer
judges. Each winner received a ribbon.

All contestants received a participation gift. Gifts over the years included: a coin
case with a Halloween decoration and an uncirculated quarter, note pads that


37

The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (38)

said "Happy Halloween from the Village of Galena", ribbons that said "Halloween
in Galena" with the year, and pencils and erasers. The Zoar Rebekah Lodge No.
887 of Galena also gave a bag of candy to each participant.


Tree Lighting

Up until 1983 the tree on the village square was decorated by the Village
Maintenance Department. The last person known to decorate the tree before
1983 was Walter "Red" Goodrich, who had his granddaughter, Andrea Zistl
Bennett flip the switch to light the tree. Mr. Goodrich also served as the Village
Marshall and was appointed to that position on February 1, 1954

Mary York, wife of Mayor York, suggested in 1983 that the Village have an
annual celebration where the residents come together for the tree lighting. This
tradition continues to this day.

David Simmons had led the community tree lighting celebration since 1983. He
leads attendees through a program of songs, candle lighting, and stories.
Many residents, church members, and the Big Walnut Elementary Chorus, and Big
Walnut Community Chorus have volunteered to help with the festivities.

After the tree lighting program, everyone was invited to adjourn to the Delaware
County Bank on the square (now the Madison Yoder Accounting Firm) for hot
chocolate and cookies donated by Village residents. The use of the Delaware
County Bank was made possible by its employees, Cindy Shivers and David Noll.
Martha "Jen" Lee passed out ornaments that she made every year from 1991
until 2010. The Village now provided ornaments annually.

John Bland, Bland company, decorated the tree from 1987 until 2004 Terry Thompson in
memory of his father-in-law, Don Gibson. Mr. Gibson was a Village Council
Member who passed away from cancer in 1987.

In 2014 Journey Fellowship started the tradition of holding an open house in the
Church Sanctuary for one hour before the Tree Lighting Program. Hot chocolate,
cookies, and other goodies are served at the open house. There also is a Live


38

The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (39)

Nativity for the children to participate in, as well as games of al kinds. the Galena
Historic Foundation has a table at the open house to promote the history of the
Village. Santa Claus also makes a visit at the open house.

In 2020 the celebration was cancelled because of Covid.

in 2022, Kenny Zedekar, an eleven year old Village resident had the honor of
doing the countdown to the tree lighting. He did so from his hospital room after
having been hit by a homecoming parade float back in September of that year.
Kenny thanked the community for its love and support.


Photo
2017 Tree Lighting celebration


39

The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (40)

Santa Clause Visits

Santa Claus came to the Village the Saturday before Christmas from 10 a.m. to
noon at the Galena Municipal Building at 9 Columbus Street (now the Coffee
Vault). Children would give Santa their lists and he would give them a sack of
candy with a small toy inside. A photographer was always present to capture the
holiday moment.

After the children's visit, Santa would take bags of candy to the home of the
elderly in the Village.

In 2004, a petting zoo was set up beside the Municipal building.

Other years, if the weather cooperated, there would be a wagon ride around the downtown.

In 2014, Santa Claus's visit was combined with the Village's Tree Lighting Program
and Journey Fellowship's open house.


Galena Parks

Galena is fortunate to have two lovely developed parks in the Village and two
more designated park lands awaiting development. Ruffner Park and Miller Park
are the established parks. The undeveloped park lands are 1) adjacent to The Big
Walnut Creek and 2) within the Arrowhead Lake Estates subdivision. The park in
Arrowhead Lakes is already named after John Bland founding member of the
Historic Foundation. John has a long history of serving the Village in an official
capacity and has worked on just about every home and business in the older
section of the Village.

Ruffner Park, on the Harrison Street, contains 5.38 acres and was dedicated on
October 15, 1941 as Galena's new community playground and roadside park. It
was named in honor of J. Morgan Ruffner, wo was the Superintendent of the
Galena School at the time of his death. (He was struck and killed by a Columbus
bound Pennsylvania railroad freight train on December 30, 1938. According to
reports, he attempted to stop his car on icy pavement and the car slid onto the
track in front of the train.)


40


40

The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (41)

Ruffner Park has been the sight of many softball/baseball games, Easter Egg
Hunts, Halloween Parties, and many other community activities over the years.
Ruffner has a shelter house which was completed in 1979 with the help of CETA
(Comprehensive Employment and Training Act), a federal jobs program.

In November 2004, the Village Council voted to name the ball diamond at Ruffner
Park the Jeff Dutiel Field in recognition of his passion for the sport and his
maintenance of the ball field.

Miller Park is located in the center of the Village and can be accessed from
Walnut, Holmes, or Harrison Streets. The Village of Galena purchased 2.9 acres in
October 1986 from R. Bruce Mac Dannald and his wife Rosalie M. McDannald for
the new park. It was referred to as Water Tower Park at that time. On January
12, 1995 Louise Fissel deeded another .21 acres to the Village increasing the total
park area to 3.11 acres. Playground equipment, a basketball court, and a public
walking path were added to the park later.

In 1995, the park was officially named the Donald E. Miller Park in honor of Mr.
Miller who served as Village Mayor from 1984 until his death in 1994.

In 2017, Boy Scout Troop no. 387 installed a park bench in memory of Sally
Hopper. Sally was the wife of long-time Tom Hopper, and she also served
as the Village Zoning Clerk for almost thirty years. Their son, Andrew, built a
chimney swift tower in the park for his Eagle Scout project in 2015.

The equipment in the playground has been updated/changed over the years with
the train theme being very popular. At the time of this writing, plans are
underway to replace all the playground equipment at Miller Park to make it ADA
compliant and inclusive for all members of the community.


41

The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (42)

Photo
Inscription on plaque

RUFFNER PARK

Named for J. Morgan Ruffner, 1903-
1938, respected Superintendent of
Galena Schools. He was a member of
the Delaware County High School Athletic
Committee. Mr. Ruffner died tragi-
cally when his car car was struck by
a train.


42

The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (43)

Photo
Inscription on plague

MILLER PARK
Named for Donald E. Miller. 1943-1994.
Mayor or the Village of Galena.
Mayor Miller loved Galena and was a
quiet but effective leader. He
directed the effort to secure a long-
needed sewer systems for the Village
and was instrumental in compelling
Del-Co Water to purchase the Village
water system. Mr. Miller died in
office while serving his thir term
as mayor.

Miller Park located on Walnut Street across from the cemetery.


Photo
Inscription on plague

JOHN BLAND
PARK
For nearly sixty years John Bland has been actively
engaged in the Galena area. He served as the Village's
Water Superintendent. Maintenance Supervisor,
Street Commissioner. Parks and Recreation Director
and Village Administrator. A skilled craftsman, John
built the Overlook Deck on the bike tail off Walnut
Street, and repaired or remodeled almost every
structure in old Galena. In 2012, his concern for
preserving the history of the Village led to the
founding of the Galena Historic Foundation, Inc.
and the establishment of the museum.

John Bland Park located on Fescur Road.


43

The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (44)

BIRDING


Galena is a well known as a birder's paradise, and the Hoover Reservoir is a
major reason why. When the water level in the reservoir drops in the fall and
winter, newly exposed mudflats in Galena serve as a migratory rest stop for many
song and shore birds. The stopover is a part of the North American Flyway to
Lake Erie.

Numerous types of birds can be seen in Galena, and among the most
interesting are Ospreys, Eagles, Prothonotary Warblers, Herons, Egrets, and
Chimney Swifts.

Osprey nesting platforms were built in the reservoir in the late 1990's by Dick
Tuttle and Dick Phillips. The platforms can be seen from the boardwalk in Galena,
when open, or from the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department's Area N,
just off Front Street. Ospreys are sometimes referred to as fishing hawks, and
Hoover Reservoir is an ideal location for them.

Eagles are also found in the area and can be seen from the Galena boardwalk,
the bike path over the Little Walnut Creek, and several other locations.

Galena is also know world-wide for the extremely successful reintroduction of
Prothonotary Warblers here. Charlie Bombaci has built over three hundred nest
boxes in the area for the warblers.

Herons and Egrets abound in the reservoir and mudflats. Their presence has
increased greatly in Galena since the building of Hoover Reservoir.

Chimney Swifts are also found in Galena. These birds roost in open chimneys,
and in summer and fall, the chimney at Galena's Village Hall can attract thousands
a night. Watching them form their tornado vortex and descend into the chimney
is truly a remarkable sight to see. Another open chimney tower can be found on
the west side of Miller Park. This tower was built by Andrew Hopper in 2015 as
his Eagle Scout project.

(The Galena Historic Foundation would like to thank Jeanna Burrell, President of
the big Walnut Nature Club, for sharing her birding knowledge with us for this
section of our book.)


44

The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (45)

Photo
Prothonotary Warbler
Picture taken in the Galena area

Photo
Osprey
Picture taken in the Galena area


45

The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (46)

Galena's Water and Sewer Systems

For years, Galena residents got their water from private and public wells, and
cisterns. Around the time Hoover Reservoir and Dam was put in, the Village
started to plan for the provision of its own water system. An Ordinance was
passed, dated May 15, 1954, a $43,000.00 bond was assessed for the project.
On November 7, 1955, Ordinance No. 146 was passed to establish a Board of
Trustees of Public Affairs as the governing body for the Water Department.
Council elected Ellsworth Bennett as the first President, with Orville Ryder and
Charles Plummer as trustees. Mr. Ryder resigned, and Richard Beaver was
appointed as his replacement.

On July 25, 1957, Horn and Jones Contracting Company of Lebanon, Ohio won
the bid to construct the new water system.

On September 9. 1957, Charles Plummer was appointed Water Superintendent.
He resigned in October, 1959, and Bruce McDannald was appointed as the new
Water Superintendent. Ray Mackley was appointed to the position in December,
1962, and served in this capacity until his death on March 25, 1965. In June
1965, K.W. Diehl was named the new Superintendent that same month and ran the
Water Department until the system was sold to Del-Co Water for $165,000.00 on
August 22, 1994.

Improvements were made to the water system over the years including: drilling
for a second well, installing in-ground meters for individual properties, and
doubling the size of the original plant. In the fall of 1987, the water storage tank
(standpipe) was moved to a new location in Miller Park because of leakage in the
bottom of the tank.

Because the Village now gets its water from the Del=Co Water Department, the
old Galena water storage tank was dismantled in March, 2023.

Construction of the first sewer system for the Village started on April 24, 1995.
The new system replaced the septic tanks used in the village. The plant was
dedicated on December 4, 1995 and named after Donald E. Miller, Mayor of
Galena from 1984 to 1994.


46

The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (47)

In May of 2018, a contract was signed with Workman industrial to build the
Village's new 250,000 gallons per day wastewater treatment plant. The ground
breaking ceremony was held on June 4, 2018. The plant was completed by March
of 2019. The plant was designed to accommodate the anticipated population
growth in the Galena area. The water wheel installed on the south side of the
building is a modern replica of what would have been seen on historic mills in the
vicinity and actually turns as treated water leaving the plant pours into it.


Photo
Galena water treatment plant -2022

Photo
Old water tower in Miller Park


47

The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (48)

Galena Clubs


Though this booklet focuses on the changes in Galena since the advent of
Hoover Reservoir, we thought it improtant to record the earlier history of four
local clubs and their honorable members. These clubs are the Odd Fellows Lodge,
the Rebekahs, the Woman's Advance Club of Galena, and the G & T Club. Read
on for a brief history of each of the clubs. More information on the clubs can be
found in the museum.

Odd Fellows Lodge

The Triple Links, a recurring symbol among Odd Fellows internationally,

connoting the motto of "Friendship, Love and Truth"

As reported by Doris Bricker in her book "Welcome to the Village of Galena". The
Galena Lodge #404 I.O.O.F. at Galena, Delaware County, Ohio was duly instituted
on July 22, 1868.

The building built in 1826 at 34 Park Street on the square in Galena became their
meeting place. In January 1877, Galena Independent Order of Odd Fellows #404
purchased the building, later the first floor was rented out for the Galena Post
Office and the second floor became the meeting place for the Odd Fellows and
the Zoar Rebekah Lodge #887.

The Galena Odd Fellows had many members through the years and met regularly.
However, in 1978, Howard L. Bricker, Noble Grand, sent a letter to Charles R,
Carter, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge, asking for permission to sell the
building to the Zoar Rebekah Lodge #887. In his letter, he said that the men's
lodge was not defunct but small. He reported that there was a loan on the
building for repairs but that more money was needed. The Rebekahs were willing
to buy the building, take over the debt and borrow ore money for repairs.

The approval for sale did not come until 1984. From 1978 until 1984, both the
Odd Fellows and Rebekahs used the building for meetings. The property finally
transferred on April 1, 1984, for 3,000.00, the amount needed to reimburse the
Odd Fellows for repairs.


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The last members of the Galena Odd Fellows Lodge #404 were: Howard L. Bricker,
Charles "Doc" Bricker, Richard DeVore, Leo C. Jordan, and Lewis "Oakie" Potts.


Zoar Rebekah Lodge #887

The Rebekahs, also known as the International Association of Rebekah
Assemblies, and originally the Daughters of Rebekah, is an international service
oriented organization and a branch of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
(I.O.O.F.)

Zoar Rebekah Lodge #887 was instituted January 26, 1948, by the grand Lodge of
Ohio, with thirty-two women (to be known as Sisters) and five men (to be known
as Brothers) taking the Pledge of Odd Fellowship, which is as follows: We, whose
names are hereto subscribed, agree to abide by the Constitution and By-Laws of
the Rebekah Lodges adapted and approved by the Grand Lodge of Ohio, as it now
is, or may be hereafter legally amended.

The Brothers that were initiated on the date of January 26, 1948 resigned from
the Rebekah Degree on January 1, 1950.

The building at the corner Middle Street and Park Street in Galena was owned
by the Galena Odd Fellows, Lodge #404 until April 1, 1984, when it was deeded
over to the Zoar Rebekah Lodge #887, by the Grand Lodge of Ohio.

The Rebekahs place flags in Memoriam on the graves of deceased members
buried in the Galena Cemetery on Memorial Day every year.

Today the Zoar Rebekah Lodge #887 has eighteen members, solely women.
Meetings are on the first and third Mondays of each month at 1:30 in p.m. in the
Lodge Hall.

Darlene Sue Butterfield was an active member for over fifty years.

*The Galena Historic Foundation thanks Lorraine Saunders, Secretary of the Zoar
Lodge #887, for her invaluable help securing information of the Galena Rebekahs.



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The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (50)

Woman's Advance Club of Galena

On November 10, 1898, the Women's Advance Club of Galena was organized and
Federated.

Mrs. Davis "Grace" Dyer brought up the idea and called together three of her
friends: Mrs. Dora Griffith, Mrs. Bertha Campbell, and Mrs. Mary Bennett to start
the Club. They worked out a plan and invited twenty more people (mostly
Episcopalian women, the Predominant church at that time) to participate.
Initially, they wanted to have more members, but twenty-four was the limit.
Members pledged to be loyal to the Club as long as they were able to participate.

The Club's programs were always well planned, both musical and literary. At that
time, many members were excellent musicians. Miss Jessie Curtis and Mrs. Lucy
Hughes Curtis were accomplished pianists, and Miss Sarah Sallie Johnson had a
beautiful soprano voice. The meetings always included current local events and
topics of state and federal note and many fun things. They had an annual
banquet for husbands, which was always regal.

For the 80th anniversary on November 10, 1978, Hortense Dyer, daughter of the
Club's founder, was the speaker for the meeting. The oldest members present
were Mrs. Alga Grove from Center Village and Mrs. Grace Foster from Westerville.
Both were in their nineties. Marie Johnson also attended from Dayton.

In 1991, Carolyn Cooperider was the youngest member of the Club, 5th generation
to Mrs. Mary Bennett, one of the founders. Helen Campbell was the first Club
baby.

The members were always elite. When Marcella Palmer Tarbutton was four, she
learned her first society manners by passing the finger bowl. The Club met once
each month for lunch at a place designated by the hostess.

The 100th anniversary of the Women's Advance Club of Galena was held on
Thursday October15, 1998, at 7:00 p.m. at Galena United Methodist Church.
Virginia Ihle was the President, Phyllis DeVore was the Vice President, Margaret
Feazel was the Recording Secretary, Pat Reed was the treasure and Violet Miller
was in charge of Entertainments.

A lack of membership resulted in the Club ending a few years later.


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The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (51)

G & T Club

(Give and Take Club)

In 1914, a group of young ladies decided to form a club - just a friendly and
sociable get together for sewing and needlework enthusiasts. The charter
members were Myrtle Smythe, Leta Lides, Hazel Reed, Mae Mc Mahon, Bess Hoy,
Esther Van Fleet, Clara Van Fleet, Ethel Hancock, Clara Hancock, Kate Gabriel,
Florence Hancock, Anabelle Smythe, and Lucy Work. They met every two weeks.
Literary work was added in the 1920's, and that time a Club Constitution was
written.

The club sponsored the placing of the WWII memorial on the Galena Square,
which was dedicated on July 4, 1945. To cover the cost, club members solicited
money from business places, individuals, a public auction (on the Galena School
playground), and a Sally Flowers (local TV celebrity) program followed by a cake
auction in the school. Members in 1945 were Maud Barcus, Elsie Bennett, Doris
Bricker, Louise Cooley, Emma Louise Evarts, Louise Fissel, Hetty Harroun, Luella
Kinzt, Kathleen Lehman, Lille Shaw, Betty Sheward, Maud Shoaf, Esther Shultz,
Iva Souders, Jane Walker, and Ola Zimmerman, They filled the urns with flowers
on the village Square every Memorial Day and placed a wreath at Christmas.

In the 1953-1954 year, the meetings change to once a month in the evening
because so many members worked.

Over the years the members have traveled to many places and enjoyed each
other's company, interesting programs, good food, friendship, and fellowship.
Through the years, there have been generations of members. Edith Roof was one
of the first to have a daughter join, Barbara Goodrich. In 2017, Barbara
Goodrich's daughters Bev Zistl and Liz Thornton are members.

The final get together of the G & T Club was a dinner meeting held at Red Lobster
restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, in March of 2020. Members present were Melinda
Simmons, Beverly Zistl, Liz Thornton, Kathy Chandler, Joan Groom, and Barb
Lesieur.

the Galena Historic Foundation has many of the records of the Club's programs
and minutes through the years.


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The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (52)

Galena Police and Fire Department

Walter Goodrich was Village Marshall at the time Hoover Reservoir was
constructed. He served in this role until Galena's first Police Department was
organized in early 1972. The initial officers were Dave Potts, Charles Chandler,
Paul Preece, Verle Potts, and Bob Tschakert. Jesse Richardson was added to the
Force in 1982.

From 1984 until 1988 a number of individuals patrolled Galena serving as police
officers, auxilary officers, provisional officers, and part time weekend officers.
These public servants were: Jesse Richardson, Bob Tschakert, Alva Lundy, Ken
Frazier, Henry Friley, Eugene Hogg, Kevin Campbell, Chester Wilson, Ronald
Moore, Paul David Bagley, Joseph Evans, Karen VanNess, William C. Fergus,
Beverly Adair, Dan Leisure, William Ray Perry, Larry Lee Kauffman, and Mike
Decker, Officer Decker served the village from early 1989 until the fall of 1996
when the force was disbanded for financial reasons. Photos of these individuals
are on display in the Village Museum. The Delaware County Sheriff's office and
The Sunbury Police also served Galena during these years.

In the late 1990's, the Village of Galena contracted with the Sunbury Police
Department for law enforcement coverage. This arrangement was never
permanent, so the Village resorted to using the Delaware County Sheriff's Office,
who patrol Galena to this day. Currently, there has been some discussion about
reinstituting Galena's own police department.

While Hoover Reservoir was being built, Galena had its own all-volunteer fire
department which was organized on April 5, 1954. A fire truck and a tank truck
were acquired and housed at the Village's 170 Harrison Street building. This same
small building housed council chambers and the village maintenance department.

On October 1, 1980, The village of Galena Council passed Resolution 706 which
was an agreement with the Trustee of Berkshire Township, the Village of
Sunbury, and the Trustees of Trenton Township to create a fire department
known as the B.S.T. & G. Fire Department. The governing body of the department
consists of one elected official from each or Village. B.S.T. & G.
continues to serve Galena and is expanding its coverage area at this time.


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The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (53)

Galena Railroad


People Frequently inquire about trains in Galena. Trains ran through the
Village for over one hundred years, and though their history has little to do with
Hoover Reservoir, the public curiosity deserves a few answers in our book.

In May 1873, the tracks for the Cleveland, Mount Vernon, and Columbus Railroad
line were nearing completion in Galena. On September 1 of that same year,
passenger and mail trains started running along the line through Galena. the
name was later changed to the Columbus, Akron, and Cleveland line.

Water for the train came from the Little Walnut Creek at the site of the current
overlook on the bike trail between Walnut Street and Dustin Road.

Galena's first depot was completed in 1873, but it was destroyed by fire in 1898.
As soon as possible, a passenger car was adapted to serve as the depot and office.
The citizens of Galena strongly voiced a desire for a new depot, and on April 27,
1899, ground was marked off for the facility. Sherman Bolton and D.C. Lawson, a
carpenter, started construction. The new depot was constructed where the
parking lot now sits beside the Galena Cemetery.

Seventeen loaded freight cars were involved in a train derailment in the Village on
August 10, 1956.

Use of the Galena railroad tracks was so infrequent by January, 1983, that Conrail
approved abandonment of the line. The last rain came through the village in
1983, and the railroad tracks were pulled up in 1986.

Photo


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The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (54)

Galena's Growth

There were approximately one hundred homes in Galena after Hoover was built.
The village stayed this size for pretty much the rest of the twentieth century.
Slow and consistent growth and development increased the size and population
of Galena in the twenty-first century.

The homes in Heathermere (51 lots) were approved in 2002. In 2005 the Estates
at Blackhawk (69 lots) were planned. The Walnut Creek sub-Division (33 lots) and
the Miller Farms development (367 lots) were both approved in 2007. The Miller
Farms development has yet to be built. After a lull in development, in 2017 two
more subdivisions were approved: Retreat at Dustin (120 Units) and Arrowhead
Lake Estates (142 units). arrowhead has yet to be built. Other existing homes
around Galena have been annexed into the Village.

Finally just a few years ago, the Communities of Galena Sub-Division was built by
Pulte Development.

The growth of Galena has been a controversial subject for years. Some residents
oppose all new growth, while others support carefully planned growth. Our
Village is located in south-east Delaware County - the hot spot for growth in this
region, especially due to the building of the new Intel Plant which is expected to
be operational in 2025.


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The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (55)

Map


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The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (56)

Disclaimer


Most of the information in this book was obtained from records found at the
Galena Historic Foundation Museum. Additionally, there are many widely known
fact herein. We also plucked information from our memories and those of
helpful friends when no records existed.

Anytime you deal with such a massive array of information spanning so many
bygone years, it is possible some errors have been made. We may have
overlooked something, inaccurately reported it, or fell victim to faulty
recollections. we apologize for an mistake found herein and hope that any
corrections will be brought to our attention so that the history of our dear Galena
will be remembered and recorded accurately.


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The History of Galena, Ohio 1952-2022 (57)

This book was made possible by The Galena Historic Foundation

The Galena Museum is located at the lower level of the Galena Municipal
building.

109 Harrison St, Galena OH

The museum is open the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, 10am to 3pm.

The museum is closed the months of January and February.

We look forward to seeing you and hearing your stories of sharing our own.


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