754 Park Ave Galena, IL 61036

Perfect weekend getaway home. Located on historical Park Ave with short walk to Grant Park and the walking bridge to downtown Galena. Home has been updated with new drywall, new electrical wiring, bathroom and kitchen. Going out the back door with historical brick pavers from Park Ave you will find a charming patio and garden shed. If you looking to buy a full time rental home this one is in high demand and was renting for $700 a month. Michael McDermott, miner, and his wife Mary Kelly, from Glin, Ireland, bought the property in mid 1800's, ( from A.G.S. Wight, who took over the Ferry and Trading Post Business when Francious Bouthillier died.) Michael's sister-in-law, Margaret Murray took over property and sold to George Melville, a cousin of Herman Melville, who visited the family in Galena before he wrote Moby Dick. The history of the property was very interesting as I documented 1840's ledgers, the Melville family tree, and all the people I could find that lived there. There were Thom. L. McDermott, 50 years with the railroad and William Garvey, a depot master Perhaps my favorite was Jack Winters, an old man that saved his neighbor's family, including 4 little girls, from being split up. He invited the family of 6 into his tiny cottage and changed their lives. A local rock band called it "The Hut" in the 60's, according to their Facebook. Finally, finding Michael and Mary's 3rd great grandson, Seumas McDermott, from Pa, and meeting him in Galena and sharing our stories, completed the story of the tiny Irish miner's cottage. More information is available. (ds11)