Galena, Oregon facts for kids

Galena is a small, quiet place in Grant County, Oregon, United States. It's about 20 miles (32 km) from Austin Junction in the beautiful Blue Mountains. You can find it along the Middle Fork John Day River inside the Malheur National Forest. Today, Galena is known as a ghost town, which means most people have moved away, and it's not a busy place anymore.

Galena: A Mining Ghost Town

Galena started as a busy gold mining camp. It was settled in 1865 by people hoping to find gold. The town is located right on the Middle Fork John Day River. This is where Elk Creek also joins the river.

Early Days as Susanville

When the town was first settled in 1865, it had a different name. It was called Susanville. The town was named after one of the very first people to live there, a woman named Susan Ward.

How Galena Got Its Name

The name Galena came about in 1901. A group of miners wanted the local post office closer to their mines. They managed to get the Susanville post office moved about two miles up Elk Creek. This new post office was named Galena. It was named after a type of ore called galena that was found in the area. Because of the new post office, the town's name also changed from Susanville to Galena.

Mining Activity in Galena

The mines around Galena were very active for many years. People were digging for gold and other minerals as early as the 1860s. Even as late as 1940, the mines were still being worked. Over time, as the mining slowed down, people moved away, and Galena became the ghost town it is today.