The town of Galena was created in 1863, and within a short time had a booming population.  The town started as a mining town, with the most productive being the Dutch Creek Mine.  The mines extracted lead and silver from the mines that amounted to $5,000,000.  The first of many lives began in 1863 as discoveries of silver and lead were made at Galena Canyon.  Over 100 people lived in Galena real estate by 1868 and, in 1869, the town was platted for a town-site.  The streets were soon crowded with businesses, saloons and mercantile stores.  In 1870, the population was booming and the first water system was constructed.  The population rose to 250 by the end of 1873 with 100 miners, four mercantile stores and two hotels along with two stage lines.  From the early to the mid-1870s, mining activity grew, but began to slow by the early 1880s.  Despite the reduction of mining activity, the census of 1881 showed over 340 residents in Galena. 

A fire destroyed the assay and mill office in 1889, putting a stop to mining until World War I.  During the 1910s and 1920s, there were three active mining companies in town.  In 1927, one of the mining companies folded.  There have been two revivals since then.  One happened before World War II and the other in late 1960.  Today, a few wooden buildings still stand from the early days and mining ruins can still be found.