Grant Home

<body background="usgrantmilitarypic1.jpg25912204169100_50.jpg" bgproperties="fixed"> <h5 align="center"><font color="#804040" face="Bookman Old Style"><big><big><big><big>Ulysses S. Grant Home</big></big></big></big></font></h5> <p align="center"><img src="granthome.gif" title="General Grant's home on Bouthillier Street." align="left" hspace="5" border="2" width="257" height="214"></p> <p><strong><font face="Book Antiqua"><small>On August 18, 1865, Galena celebrated the return of its Civil War hero General Ulysses S. Grant. Following a jubilant procession with much flag waving and speeches, a group of Galena citizens presented the General with a handsome furnished house on Bouthillier Street. The house is managed by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency as the U.S. Grant Home State Historic Site.</small></font></strong></p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"><font face="Book Antiqua" color="#804040"><strong>Grant in Galena</strong></font></p> <dl> <dt><img src="grantrenthouse3.JPG" title="Grant family rent house on High Street." align="right" hspace="10" border="2" width="205" height="171"><font face="Book Antiqua"><small><strong>Grant and his family arrived in Galena in the spring of 1860 and rented a small Federal style brick house (seen at the right). He had ended a fifteen year military career six years earlier, but had enjoyed little business success as a civilian. He hoped to reverse his economic misfortune by moving to northwestern Illinois, where he would work in the Galena store owned by his father and managed by his younger brothers, Simpson and Orvil. Grant was a clerk in name only; he spent considerable time away from the store, "travelling through the Northwest considerably during the winter of 1860-61. They had customers in all the little towns in south-west Wisconsin, south-east Minnesota, and northeast<small><font color="#004000">. </font></small>Iowa." Until he left Galena in the spring of 1861 to serve in the Civil War, Grant and his wife, Julia, rented a modest brick home on the west side of the river for approximately $100.00 a year.       </strong>        <small><font color="#004000">                    </font></small>                                                                                  <small><font color="#004000">.</font></small> </small></font></dt> </dl> <p><img src="grantfamily1_copy.gif" title="Grant Family." align="left" width="174" height="221"><font face="Book Antiqua" color="#804040"><strong>The Hero's Homecoming</strong></font></p> <p><strong><font face="Book Antiqua"><small>In 1861, at the outbreak of the Civil War, Grant left Galena to join the U.S. Army, ending a seven-year hiatus from the military. He was commissioned colonel of the 21st Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment and was promoted to progressively significant commands of Union forces. A strong and capable leader, Grant engineered the Union victory at Vicksburg in 1863, which helped turn the tide of the war. In March 1864 Grant was appointed lieutenant general and commanded the Union army to war's end. On April 9, 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his troops to Grant at Appomattox Court House, and Grant's image as a war hero was complete.</small></font></strong></p> <p><font color="#004000" face="Book Antiqua"><small><small>            Grant family, ca.1865</small></small></font></p> <p><strong><font face="Book Antiqua"><small>On August 18, 1865, the citizens of Galena greeted the return of its victorious General with a grand celebration. A "grand triumphal arch" spanned Main Street, and a holiday atmosphere prevailed with a jubilant procession, speeches, and evening fireworks. Julia Grant recalled that "there was a tremendous and enthusiastic outpouring of people to welcome him . . . After a glorious triumphal ride around the hills and valleys, so brilliant with smiles and flowers, we were conducted to a lovely villa exquisitely furnished with everything good taste could desire."</small></font></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Book Antiqua" color="#804040"><strong>The Grant Home</strong></font></p> <p><strong><font face="Book Antiqua"><small>The brick house, which was designed by William Dennison, had been constructed in 1860 for former City Clerk Alexander J. Jackson. Thomas B. Hughlett, on behalf of only a small group of local Republicans, purchased the house for $2,500 in June 1865 and presented it to Grant two months later. The house is typical of the Italianate style, which is characterized by well defined rectilinear shapes, projecting eaves supported by brackets, low pitched roof, and balustraded balconies over covered porches.</small></font></strong></p> <p><strong><font face="Book Antiqua"><small>Following his election as president in 1868 he visited only occasionally. In 1873 Grant commented that "although it is probable I will never live much time among you, but in the future be only a visitor as I am at present, . . . I hope to retain my residence here . . . I expect to cast my vote here always." The house was maintained by caretakers in anticipation of the President's visits, the local newspaper reporting that it was "in excellent order and ready for occupation at any time," adding that "visitors are always admitted."</small></font></strong></p> <p><strong><font face="Book Antiqua"><small>Grant made his final visits to his Galena home in 1880. At that time he found that several changes had been made - "a new sidewalk laid in front of the premises, the outbuildings repaired, the trees handsomely trimmed, a new and commodious wash house built and other improvements made." </small></font></strong></p> <p><font face="Book Antiqua" color="#804040"><strong>State Acquisition and Restoration</strong></font></p> <p><strong><font face="Book Antiqua"><small>In 1904 Grant's children gave the house to the City of Galena "with the understanding that this property is to be kept as a memorial to the late General Ulysses S. Grant, and for no other purpose." However, maintaining the Grant's home proved too costly for the city and the Grant Home Association, so in 1931 the city deeded the house to the State of Illinois</small></font></strong></p> <p><font face="Book Antiqua"><small><strong>A thorough restoration project was undertaken in 1955. Considerable research was undertaken as the house was returned to its 1868 appearance. Fortunately, much of the furniture used by Grant and his family remained in the house. Restoration of the home was returned to its appearance as pictured in the November 14, 1868, issue of</strong> <strong><em>Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper</em></strong>.</small></font></p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font face="Bookman Old Style">Ulysses S. Grant Chronology</font></strong></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>April 27, 1822: Hiram Ulysses Grant born at Point Pleasant, Ohio and was the son of Jesse and Hannah Grant.</strong></font></small> <small><strong><font face="Book Antiqua">Ulysses was the oldest of six children having three sisters and two brothers.</font></strong></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>May 29, 1839: Arrived at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. A mistake in the records changed Grant's name to Ulysses S. Grant, which he carried the rest of his life.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>June, 1843: Graduated from West Point.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>1846-1847: Fought in the American-Mexican War.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>August 22, 1848: Married<a href="julia_dent_grant.htm" title="Learn more about Julia Grant"> Julia Dent</a> of St. Louis, Missouri.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>May 30, 1850:<a href="frederick_dent_grant.htm" title="Learn more about Frederick Grant"> Frederick Dent Grant</a> born.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>July 22, 1852: <a href="ulysses_grant_jr.htm" title="Learn more about Ulysses Grant Jr.">Ulysses S. "Buck" Grant Jr.</a>, born.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>June 11, 1854: Grant resigns from the army. The letter of resignation was written on the same day he was promoted to Captain and was accepted by the Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>July 4, 1855: <a href="ellen.htm" title="Learn more about Ellen Grant">Ellen "Nellie" Wrenshall Grant</a> born.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>February 6, 1858:<a href="jesse_grant.htm" title="Learn more about Jesse Grant"> Jesse Root Grant Jr.</a>, born.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>Spring, 1860: Grant arrives in Galena, Illinois.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>April 18, 1861: Fort Sumter fired upon by Confederates.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>June 17, 1861: Grant becomes a colonel for the 21st Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>February 17, 1862: Lincoln signed the papers for Grant's promotion to major general of volunteers.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>April 9, 1865: General Lee surrendered the Army of Norther Virginia to Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, ending the American Civil War.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>August 18, 1865: Returns to Galena as a hero and is presented his new home on Bouthillier Street.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>July 25, 1866: Grant appointed general of the armies of the U.S.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>August 12, 1867: Appointed Secretary of War.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>November 3, 1868: Grant and Schuyler Colfax elected President and Vice-President.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>March 2, 1872: Signs a bill which make Yellowstone the first National Park.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>November 3, 1872: Grant and Henry Wilson elected President and Vice-President.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>March 4, 1877: Retires from the White House.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>May 1877: Ulysses, Julia and Jesse Grant travel on a world tour. They return on September 20, 1879 at San Francisco. They return to Galena in November of that year.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>December 1882: President Arthur appointed Grant to negotiate a commercial treaty with Mexico. The treaty, however, was rejected by the U.S. and Mexico.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>June 16, 1885: Grant family moves to a cottage at Mount McGregor, New York.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>July 19, 1885: Finishes his personal memoirs.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>July 23, 1885: Ulysses Grant dies at age 63 of throat cancer at Mt. McGregor, New York.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>April 27, 1891: Ground is broken for the construction of Grant's Tomb, Riverside Park, New York City.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="left"><small><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>April 27, 1897: Grant's Tomb is dedicated.</strong></font></small></p> <p align="center"><big><big><font face="Book Antiqua"><strong>For more information about Ulysses S. Grant try visiting our <a href="Books%20on%20Grant2.htm">Books on Grant</a> section.</strong></font></big></big></p> <p align="center"><big><font face="Book Antiqua" color="#004080"><strong>Site Information</strong></font></big></p> <p align="left"><font face="Book Antiqua"><small>The U.S. Grant Home is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed New Year's, Martin Luther King, Jr., Presidents, Veterans, General Election, Thanksgiving, and Christmas day. Group reservations are recommended. <strong>Suggested donation: </strong>$3 adults, $1 children. For additional information, write to:</small></font></p> <dl> <div align="center"><center> <dt><strong><font color="#800040"><small><small>Galena State Hist. Sites</small></small></font></strong></dt> </center></div><div align="center"><center> <dt><strong><font color="#800040"><small><small>P.O. Box 333</small></small></font></strong></dt> </center></div><div align="center"><center> <dt><strong><font color="#800040"><small><small>Galena, IL. 61036</small></small></font></strong></dt> </center></div><div align="center"><center> <dt><strong><font color="#800040"><small><small>(815) 777-3310</small></small></font></strong></dt> </center></div><div align="center"><center> <dt><a href="mailto:granthome@granthome.com" title="Email Us"><font color="#0000FF"><strong><small><small>granthome@granthome.com</small></small></strong></font></a></dt> </center></div> </dl> <p align="center"><font face="Bookman Old Style"><strong><a href="index2.htm">Home </a>   <a href="grant_home.htm">Grant Home</a>     <a href="washburne_house.htm">Washburne House </a>   <a href="market_house.htm">Old Market House</a>   <a href="information_center.htm">Information Center</a>  </strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Bookman Old Style"><strong><a href="site_information.htm">Site Information & Special Events</a>  <a href="contact_us.htm">Contact Us</a></strong></font></p> </body>