Chicago Great Western Museum

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Chicago Great Western Museum Elizabeth IL. 1888 Chicago Great Western Railroad Depot, Caboose and History House tours Open Saturdays and Sundays: May-Oct. Facebook message us.

Times: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.Week day visits by appointment. Free Admission to both buildings!

Galena: Once Bigger than Chicago. Wonderful video created by River Ridge CUSD #210 Wildcats students in 2011-2012.Fun...
10/14/2026

Galena: Once Bigger than Chicago. Wonderful video created by River Ridge CUSD #210 Wildcats students in 2011-2012.

Fun facts about Galena:
--Did you know that Galena once had a population of 14,000 at the same time that Chicago's population was 4,000.
--1819--first lead shipped out of Galena.
--Galena, as a tourist destination, receives 1 million visitors annually. Second only in the state to Chicago.

Students: Brett Brown, Ben Freed, Gavin Kloss, Jacob Krug, Cody Landwer.

Interviews provided by: Diann Marsh--local author and historian
Phillip Jackman--local historian

Assisted by: Michael Dittmar and Judy Tippett

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v0VQQg_ODnwizX4BJeErq6gvp2TjVz1V/view?usp=drive_link









ELIZABETH WEEKLY NEWS: Wednesday, October 24, 1984Consolidation, sports, pancake supper, Hullabaloo, Methodist Church T...
10/14/2026

ELIZABETH WEEKLY NEWS: Wednesday, October 24, 1984
Consolidation, sports, pancake supper, Hullabaloo, Methodist Church Turkey dinners, weather, harvest....lots of articles indicating FALL!

Happy Sunday! Using Facebook to identify an image on an unknown cabinet card has led to a presentation! As the flyer i...
10/12/2026

Happy Sunday! Using Facebook to identify an image on an unknown cabinet card has led to a presentation! As the flyer indicates, a presentation about the first African American Catholic priest in the U.S. and his visit to Elizabeth, Illinois will happen on Sunday, November 15 at 2:00. Linda Sprecher Schoenmann will present. Her knowledge of Father Augustus Tolton is fascinating! No RSVPs needed. Show up and learn about how Elizabeth was a part of this national story.


With Veterans' Day approaching, the Elizabeth Historical Society's Wall of Honor team is busy building a display honorin...
10/11/2026

With Veterans' Day approaching, the Elizabeth Historical Society's Wall of Honor team is busy building a display honoring our local Veterans! Each veteran will have a 4x6 inch card with his/her photo, name, years of service and branch of military.

In the past, a tree honoring our veterans with their cards of service was proudly on display in our History House. With the renovation and expansion, EHS is able to expand beyond a tree. What started with 80 cards from the tree has grown into 300 submissions as our team reached out to veterans asking if they would like to be a part of our project.

The response has been OVERWHELMING! We are humbled to hear their stories of service.

The inspiration for this project stems from Terry Miller's Veteran of the Day post. In Terry's honor, we are creating a book of his posts to recognize our area veterans as well.

We are also reaching out to ask if there are any Elizabeth, Illinois or area veterans we have not contacted who would like to be part of this project. We are also looking for River Ridge CUSD #210 Wildcats graduates who have served.

If anyone is interested, they can reach us through Facebook--, Messenger, email: [email protected].

Name, photo of veteran in uniform, years of service and branch military.

Thanks to all who serve and have served. Your willingness to serve and your service are greatly appreciated!

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Happy Thursday! Happy Train day! More photos of Rick Burns' train images from the 1960s.
10/08/2026

Happy Thursday! Happy Train day! More photos of Rick Burns' train images from the 1960s.







Happy Tuesday! Thank you Elevated Roofing! Our roofs look great! Customer service is excellent! Workmanship superb a...
10/06/2026

Happy Tuesday! Thank you Elevated Roofing! Our roofs look great! Customer service is excellent! Workmanship superb and work ethic impeccable!








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Happy Monday morning! Enjoy these old photos of Apple River and Hanover. Posted to Galena Gazette Oct. 2, 2024. Write...
10/05/2026

Happy Monday morning! Enjoy these old photos of Apple River and Hanover. Posted to Galena Gazette Oct. 2, 2024. Write up by
Steve Repp.

Happy Sunday! Wanted to show you how wonderful the youth of the community in Elizabeth is! These River Ridge CUSD #21...
10/04/2026

Happy Sunday! Wanted to show you how wonderful the youth of the community in Elizabeth is! These River Ridge CUSD #210 Wildcats are volunteers in the Student Leadership Program. Kevin and Emily Nicolin are their advisors. Students approached the Elizabeth Historical Society and offered to help in the renovation. HELP is an understatement! They came to our rescue! Their energy and young muscle is responsible for moving the large display cases, artifacts and other necessities required to clear 4 rooms and get ready for new flooring! Thank you so much to the entire group of young people! Thanks to the Nicolins for their great mentorship!








Happy Saturday! Beautiful day to explore Elizabeth, Illinois! Lots to see and do! Whether you are entering or exiting ...
10/03/2026

Happy Saturday! Beautiful day to explore Elizabeth, Illinois! Lots to see and do! Whether you are entering or exiting town, stop and pick apples at Terrapin Orchard. Then visit the Chicago Great Western Museum , Apple River Fort Interpretive Center. Visit the replica of the fort! Stop by the Bicycle Museum. Stop for a beverage in the old Presbyterian Church! Do some shopping on Main Street! Grab a bite to eat! Spend the day with us in Elizabeth! A small town with a huge heart!








Our face on Friday is of a proud man showing off his Model T (is it?) License plate is 11859 and the back of the postca...
10/03/2026

Our face on Friday is of a proud man showing off his Model T (is it?) License plate is 11859 and the back of the postcard says Summer 1920. Notice the rubber tires and dirt road. Does not look like a comfortable ride. Anyone know who the gentleman is? Post card is part of the collection of Joanne Wand.





Address

111 E Myrtle Street
Elizabeth, IL
61028

Opening Hours

Saturday 11am - 3pm
Sunday 11am - 3pm

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