Galva

Picture submitted by Janine Crandell

The founders of Galva were William and J.M. Wiley. In 1853 the two gentleman were making a trip from Peoria to Rock Island. When they stopped at a spot where the town is now, they were amazed at the beauty and the fertility of the land. Stopping their buggy one of them stated "Let us buy this ground and lay out of a town"

The plan was accepted and ere long the land was entered. The CB&QRailroad was surveyed through this section and the Wileys opened negotiations with the company for the purpose of having a station at this point.Satisfactory arrangements were made and a year later in 1854 the town was platted.In December of that same year the trains began running and the town began.

The Wileys bought about 50 acres of land, on the south side of the town, from George Farr and eventually sold the undivided interest in a certain number of lots to the Bishop Hill Colony then in their prosperous days and afterwords a large number of lots to Jacob Emery. Both of these parties gave their money and influence to help the new town.

Owing to the large purchases of the Swedish Colony in the new town, they were granted the privilege of being it's sponsor in baptism and bestowing upon it the name which is now known by. Olof Johnson one of the earliest settlers, named it Gefle,the name of a prosperous town in Sweden. This Swedish name translated is pronounced Galva.

Fountain in Galva

Painting by Jordan Murray

History Schools Churches Press George Swank and The Galva Historical Society

A Fire in Galva Railroads Past Businesses Pictures

Galva Swedes

Emigrants

Galvas sister city Gavle Sweden

(Click for larger view)

Picture submitted by Janine Crandell

Illinois Ancestors