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Welcome to
The DeSoto Dispatch
April, 2024
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From
The DeSoto House Hotel
"Illinois' Oldest Operating Hotel"
Since 1855
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Stay with us at the DeSoto House Hotel and enjoy the beauty of spring in Galena!
~ Check out our Midweek Packages ~
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Join us for Mother's Day Brunch! | |
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Midweek Dinner Package
Sunday - Thursday
One-night stay
$50.00 Dinner coupon
$199.00
Generals' Restaurant Dinner Menu
Subject to availability
Prices good through April 30, 2024
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Midweek Breakfast Package
Sunday - Thursday
One-night stay
Breakfast for two
$174.00
Courtyard Restaurant Breakfast Menu
Subject to availability
Prices good through April 30, 2024
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History Museum Package
Sunday - Thursday
One-night stay
Breakfast for two
Tickets to the Galena Grant History Museum
$199.00
Courtyard Restaurant Breakfast Menu
Subject to availability
Prices good through April 30, 2024
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Best Available Rate
One-night stay
Starting at $99.00
Subject to availability
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Everyone loves a cocktail or two... | |
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Stay with us Sundays through Thursdays and enjoy a complimentary cocktail from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, in one of our fabulous restaurants.
Then join us for dinner!
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Scenic Art Loop's Monthly Art Drive
Friday, April 5, 2024 - Sunday, April 7, 2024
(See downloadable map below for specific times)
Various Artist Galleries
Galena, IL 61036
Drive the hills and valleys of the Driftless Region’s most scenic counties. Take a laid back self-guided tour experiencing art from inception to fulfillment.
Visit talented artists’ in their studios & galleries, while enjoying artisan libations such as food, wine craft brews, and spirits, and discover the region’s hidden talent. Interact and enjoy with unique individuals along your personal tour.
Each month our artists come together to host the Scenic Art Loop by ARRT’s Monthly Art Drive.
Join us on the first full weekend of each month for a new experience. A new map is created monthly to ensure artists’ availability.
For a downloadable map and more information click here.
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Wolf Wood Burning Class
Saturday, April 13, 2024
12:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Galena Center for the Arts
971 Gear Street
Galena, IL 60136
It looks difficult, but is really quite simple...you will be amazed at how much fun you will have bringing this wolf to life.
This beginner’s 3.5 hour wood-burning class will teach the basics of wood burning.
Instructor will provide everything needed to complete the project: the rough out of the wolf and use of a detailer wood burner with three different interchangeable tips.
For more information and to register click here.
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The Forest Stone
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Sunday, April 14, 2024
2:00 PM
Galena Center for the Arts
971 Gear Street
Galena, IL 60136
Join the Wise Old Owl and woodland creatures to help save the forest from the Wicked Queen Trasha, her husband Kind Dither, and her henchmen, the Bumblies.
This 50-60 minute interactive play, written and directed by Lee Adami, is designed for Earth Day awareness. It was previously produced by The Magic Owl Children's Theatre of Timber Lake Playhouse.
Family-friendly performances.
Ticket prices: Adults $10, Students $5
For more information and to purchase tickets click here.
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Sunday, April 14, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Sunday, May 26, 2024
Sunday, June 9, 2024
Sunday, June 23, 2024
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Shenandoah Riding Center
200 N. Brodrecht Road
Galena, IL 61036
What do horses eat? Do they need special diets or vitamins? What do we do if a horse needs to see the vet? These are just a few examples of things we will discuss during your visit.
Come and join us and get a glimpse into what Shenandoah Riding Center is all about.
This is a perfect experience for families or groups that have kids too young for our trail rides. This is also a great choice for those who want to interact with horses without having to get into the saddle or ride in an outdoor environment.
Over the course of your visit, we will engage in several different horse-related activities, and meet with many horses both big and small. We will groom, tack, and lead the horses around the property.
Our horses absolutely love attention and are a great way to interact with equines for younger or more apprehensive humans.
We will also tour our barn and meet with whoever may be inside that day while learning about the functioning of the farm and what it takes to care for these amazing animals.
For more information and to register click here.
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Friday, April 19, 2024
Friday, May 3, 2024
Friday, May 17, 2024
Friday, May 31, 2024
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Shenandoah Riding Center
200 N. Brodrecht Road
Galena, IL 61036
Silver Saddles is an interactive horse experience for individuals ages 55+.
The program contains many elements to allow a relaxing bonding experience between the horses and the seniors.
Seniors are invited to brush the horses, groom them, feed them treats, and lead them around the property!
For more information and to register click here.
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Grant Home Lamplight Tour
Friday, April 19, 2024
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site
500 Bouthillier Street
Galena, IL 61036
Immerse yourself in history with an exclusive tour of the Grant Home, led by reenactors in period attire.
Step back in time as these costumed guides bring the stories of the Grant family and the era to life, providing a unique perspective on this historic site.
Explore the beautifully preserved rooms and furnishings, and gain a deeper appreciation for the life and legacy of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States.
This tour offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the Grant Home in a whole new light and connect with the rich history of Galena.
Price: Suggested donations.
For more information click here.
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The Haunted Galena Conference
Friday, April 19, 2024 - Saturday, April 20, 2024
Haunted Galena Tour Company
304 S. Main St., Galena, IL 61036
Join us in one of the oldest and most haunted small towns in the Midwest, for our third annual Haunted Galena Conference!
The conference is held at the historic DeSoto House Hotel.
Embrace the darkness with us...
The Haunted Galena Conference features speakers and workshops on hauntings, dark history, ghosts, mediumship, and various aspects of the paranormal
You will also get to experience specialty exhibitors and vendors.
There are also optional special after hours events (additional registration required), including paranormal investigations with regional research group Transcendent Paranormal Society.
For more information and to purchase tickets click here.
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Kiwanis River Trail Run
Saturday, April 20, 2024
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
91 Bouthillier St.
Galena, IL 61036
(under the bridge)
The Kiwanis Club of Galena invites you to sign up for their annual Run for the Parks with proceeds benefitting the parks in Galena Country's Community.
The Galena River Trail is a scenic, forested trail that begins at the Galena Depot Park adjacent to the old Galena Depot Railroad Station.
Runners and walkers will travel south along the trail and the backwaters of the Mississippi River on an out-and-back trail course. The trail is crushed limestone with a few sections of asphalt pavement. The course is primarily flat, with a few rolling inclines.
All registered participants receive a racing shirt, bib numbers, and pins.
There will be prizes for the overall winners (male and female) in each race, as well as age-group winners for each race.
For more information and to register click here.
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Monday, April 22, 2024
3:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
1:00 PM - 8:00 PM
DeSoto House and Green Street Plaza
230 S Main St
Galena, IL 61036
The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival (JDIFF) will host a pre-event in Galena sponsored by the Galena Country Tourism.
The main event is April 24th - 28th in Dubuque, but JDIFF will host a pre-event in Galena.
Enjoy early screenings of feature films, documentaries, and short films that will be at this year’s festival!
These independent films will be seen around the world and this is your chance to see them first!
For more information click here.
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JDCF Annual Frog Walk
Friday, April 26, 2024
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Meeker Street Footbridge
Galena, IL 61036
One of the first signs of spring is the sound of frogs waking up and calling.
Bring the kids down to learn about what the frogs they are hearing. After a short walk down the Galena River Trail towards the Buehler Reserve, families will have a chance to try to find and catch the frogs themselves!
Will it be a Spring Peeper or a Leopard Frog?
JDCF staff will help you identify what you find, and have some tadpoles on hand to view the frog life cycle in progress.
This is a free event open to the public.
Please dress appropriately for the weather.
Rain date: May 3rd – Check JDCF website for updates.
Photo (c) Rich Mattas.
For more information click here.
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Grant's Home Front Reenactment & Encampment
Saturday, April 27, 2024 - Sunday, April 28, 2024
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Depot Park
91 Bouthillier St.
Galena, IL 61036
Learn about life in the 1860s through the Encampment and Civil War Battle.
Over 3,000 people visited this event last year!
Shop the Sanitary Fair (a Civil War Ladies Bazaar supporting our troops) with beautiful handmade items.
Battles each day: Saturday at 11:30 am, Sunday at 1:30 pm
This is a family friendly event with the chance to interact with reenactors portraying both military and civilians in the 1860's during the war.
Meet General Grant and his staff, see a medical demonstration, and have your child "drill" with the troops!
Watch history come alive in Galena Country.
For more information click here.
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Saturday, April 27, 2024
10:00 AM
10:45 AM
12:15 PM
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
Shenandoah Riding Center
200 N. Brodrecht Road
Galena, IL 61036
We welcome Jim and Cindy Meldrum of TDR Carriages out of Aledo, IL to Shenandoah Riding Center.
Jim and Cindy and their driving team will take you and friends/family for a 30 minute horse-drawn wagon ride around Shenandoah Riding Center!
Cindy and Jim will share their wealth of knowledge and even play western music to keep you entertained on your ride.
Please note, dates and spaces will be VERY limited.
For more information and to purchase tickets click here.
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Honey Tasting 101
Friday, May 3, 2024
Friday, June 7, 2024
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Galena ARC
11084 W US HWY 20
Galena, IL 61036
Did you know that there are over 300 flavors of honey in the United States? Yet, many people have only tasted clover honey from the grocery store!
Come and explore the fascinating world of honey!
At this one-hour guided honey tasting, your "bee-rista" will start out with some fun and engaging honey and bee trivia to start the "buzz."
Next, you will hear from the beekeeper to learn a bit about the magic of how bees make honey, and then you will move to the sweet stuff - the honey tasting! You will taste a variety of honeys ranging from light to medium to dark color profiles. You will use a honey flavor wheel and a honey color chart to explore the wide variety of aromas, colors and flavors of honeys, as you try to put words to what you see, smell, and taste.
Each attendee will track their impressions of each honey on a scorecard, and we will compare and discuss these. You will also get to experience a variety of textures, including creamed and crystalized honeys, and honey direct from the comb.
This is a fun and engaging experience to enjoy with friends, as couples, or with your whole family!
For more information and to purchase tickets click here.
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2024 Ride the Ups & Downs
Saturday, May 4, 2024
7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
CTE Academy
950 US Hwy 20 W.
Elizabeth, IL 61028
The G.O.A.T.S. Cycling Club of Galena is hosting the annual "Ride the Ups & Downs" Event.
This self-paced, bicycle ride is a one-day tour of beautiful Jo Daviess County, Illinois that features hilly terrain, spectacular ridge top panoramas and long valley views.
The registration and start are at the CTE Academy.
Choose one of three clearly marked routes on rolling, low traffic, paved roads throughout our rural setting.
For more information and to register click here.
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Star Gazing
Saturday, May 4, 2024
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Saturday, June 8, 2024
8:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Saturday, July 6, 2024
8:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Saturday, August 3, 2024
8:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Saturday, September 7, 2024
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Saturday, October 26, 2024
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The Galena Territory Association Owners’ Club
2000 Territory Drive
Galena, IL 61036
The Galena Territory Association and The Galena Astronomical Society holds its public observation sessions in the parking lot of The Galena Territory Association Owners’ Club.
Share your knowledge or start your star-gazing adventure.
Check out the stars and night objects with a telescope.
A clear sky with no prominent moon, once properly dark-adapted, is a beautiful thing.
Depending on the time of year, a subtle band of smoky light constitutes the outline of our galaxy, and away from bright town and city lights is a showy splendor with bright spots, voids, and intricate rivers of light.
Dress warmly and bring a blanket or comfortable chair as you enjoy the beauty of The Territory’s night skies.
Bring your telescope or share one of ours.
This event is weather dependent.
People of all ages are invited to attend.
For more information click here.
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Galena Main Street Sidewalk Sale
Saturday, May 11, 2024 - Sunday, May 12, 2024
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Main Street
Galena IL 61036
It's time to shake off the winter blues and welcome the warmth of spring with a shopping spree on Main Street! The merchants are clearing out their inventory, and you're the lucky winner!
Browse through the various sales taking place both on the street and inside the stores. Whether you're in the market for new clothes, home decor, or just looking for a great deal, you're sure to find something that catches your eye.
With so many options to choose from, you'll definitely work up an appetite. Luckily, Main Street is home to some of the best restaurants around. Take a break from your shopping spree and refuel with a delicious meal before hitting the shops again.
So, mark your calendars and head to Main Street for a day of amazing deals and delectable cuisine.
With spring in the air and bargains galore, you won't want to miss out on this exciting shopping event!
Presented by the Galena Downtown Business Association
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In addition to browsing through Galena’s 19th-century downtown with more than 100
storefronts, here are some other ways to enjoy our beautiful area:
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The Galena River Trail offers 8.0 miles (one way) of scenic hiking, biking or cross-country skiing.
Galena River Trail
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Enjoy scenic outlooks with views across three states at the Horseshoe Mound Preserve.
Horseshoe Mound Preserve
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Enjoy panoramic views of the Mississippi River from Casper Bluff Land and Water Preserve.
Casper Bluff Land & Water Reserve
| Be sure to visit the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation website for a list of more places to see under the "Visit Our Preserves" tab. | Other great places to visit in addition to our local historic attractions and museums are: | |
Take a break and stop by our Quiet Room on the Main Street level of the hotel to view these videos:
The DeSoto House Hotel
"The Largest Hotel in the West"
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Galena: Steamboat Capital of the Old Northwest
Both videos are about 15-20 minutes in length and run continuously.
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You can learn more about the history of the DeSoto House Hotel here. | There's always plenty to do in scenic, historic Galena! | |
Create your dream wedding... | |
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Call to make your dreams come true!
815.777.6818
Sales Department
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Reserve your getaway now!
Make your reservations by calling
815.777.0090 or 800.343.6562
Check out our website . . . DeSotoHouse.com
| Consider us your home away from home! | Keep more informed and become a Facebook Friend of the DeSoto House Hotel. | | |
DeSoto House Hotel Gift Certificates
make perfect gifts!
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Michael Steinhoff
General Manager
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230 South Main Street
Galena, IL 61036
815.777.0090 or 800.343.6562
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