23 days ago
- Galena, Kansas, is named after its lead sulfide ore (galena), discovered in 1877, which led to a mining boom for use in ammunition, plumbing, paint, and silver extraction.
- The region was part of the "tri-state mining area" with Missouri and Oklahoma, peaking at over 30,000 residents, supported by the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (MKT) for transporting workers, goods, and ore.
- Mining lasted nearly 100 years until deposits were exhausted in the 1970s, with the MKT scaling back operations from the 1950s and ending freight service by the mid-1980s.
- The decommissioned MKT depot was relocated to Route 66 in 1983 and reopened in 1984 as the Galena Mining & Historical Museum, showcasing photos, illustrations, antique clothing, and ephemera to highlight mining life and history.
- Post-mining decline reduced Galena's population to less than 3,000, but it remains a unique Route 66 destination with a 13.2-mile Kansas stretch, emphasizing industrial history beyond tourist attractions.