history navigator...

• introduction

  • the overland journey
  • first settler
  • galva on the “q”
  • building boom
  • the name is gefle

• galva and the railroad

  • the first train
  • flagmen at “q” crossings in 1888
  • the interurban
  • the western airline/american central
  • the dolly

• the founders

  • William L. Wiley and the First National Bank
  • Incorporation of Galva

• trustees meet

  • the original school building
  • private offices
  • engine house
  • city hall

• utilities

  • water mains, fire hydrants and indoor plumbing

history of galva

galva firsts...

Robert Bonham: first occupant in the area

1854: Galva was laid out. M. N. Emery hauled the first logs used for ties on the railroad from Moline, IL.

1854: first house built by Bishop Hill Colony

1854: first store built in Galva, the C.F. Bodinson Grocery

First station agent: Colonel E. Fuller

1855: first child born to Mr. and Mrs. David Emery who named their newborn daughter Galva. She was born during a January blizzard during which the city was snowbound.

First boy born in Galva to Mr. and Mrs. Absolom Woods during 1855.

1855: first death in Galva when Mr. O. P. Bigelow expired 12 September.

The first fire occurred in Galva 8 November, 1855. There was no organized fire department at the time. A hastily organized bucket brigade drew water from the city's few wells to combat the blaze which destroyed six businesses.

1855: the first public school in Galva was built by the Wiley brothers, it measured 12' X 20' until three rooms were added in 1876.

1855: first hotel built by J. E. Wolever.

Methodist Church organized 26 June, 1855.

Congregational Church organized 15 September, 1855.

Swedish Luteran Church organized in 1869.

Baptist Church organized 14 August, 1855 in the local school house.

Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church organized 5 January, 1866.

1857: first newspaper published, the Galva Watchman. The paper was disontinued in 1859.

Galva resident D. L. Wiley became the first County Supervisor in 1857. He was replaced in 1859 by Galva resident A. G. Hathaway.

The first grocery store (not to be confused with the first store (Bodinson Grocery) was opened by Galva's first postmaster, Mr. George Farr.

Galva's first doctor was Mr. Asa D. Babcock.

Mr. Isaac Seeley opened the first drugstore in Galva.

Mr. Hiriam Bigelow was the first lawyer to reside in Galva.

Mr. Thomas Guthrie opened the first machine shop and foundry in Galva.