Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site

The Ulysses S. Grant Home in Galena, Illinois is the former home of Ulysses S. Grant, the Civil War General and later 18th President of the United States. The house was designed in the Italianate style by William Dennison. Typical of buildings done in that style, the home featured well defined rectangular shapes, a roof with a low pitch, balustraded balconies extending out over covered porches, and projecting eaves.

The home was given to Grant by residents of Galena as thanks for his war service in 1865, and has been maintained as a memorial to Grant since 1904.

Grant lived at the house until his election as President in 1868. He and his family were so fond of some of the furnishings that they took them with them to Washington. Grant continued to make occasional visits to the area, staying at his house while in town. His final visit took place in 1880.

Following Grant’s death, his children donated the house to the city of Galena in 1904 on the condition that it be maintained as a memorial to Grant. The city, finding that maintaining the home was too costly, transferred ownership of the house to the state of Illinois.