Amongst the oldest (1836) houses in Galena, Illinois the Captain Harris Guest House is just one block from the famous shopping district of Galena, the town that time forgot.
Altogether the guest house welcomes guests to five romantic climate controlled guest rooms all with private bathrooms, ceiling fans and queen beds. Three of these have fireplaces, and accomodate more than two persons. Two of the rooms are secluded with their own entrances, private gardens, double Whirlpools and fireplaces. One of these is a detached cottage and the other is a five roomed suite on its own level. A full gourmet breakfast is served every morning in the dining room adjoining the comfortable living area of the house. The living room, recently refurbished and equipped with new mission styled and antique furniture looks out on a beautiful view of green lawns & trees stretching down to the Galena River.
Called Manitoomie (God's Country) by the native Americans, Galena became a major commercial center in the 1830's. Fortunes were amassed in lead mining and steamboating. Galena was home to Ulysses S. Grant and eight other civil war generals. When trains replaced steamboats, the economy of Galena declined, preventing buildings from being modernized or replaced. The Captain Harris Guest House was built by Robert Scribe Harris, a steamboat captain and lead mine owner. The home has retained the character of the past, but modifications, such as adding 50 leaded glass windows in the 1920's, have enhanced its beauty. The leaded glass windows were built and installed by a partner of Frank Lloyd Wright.