Meet the Illinois Makers of Galena Country

Are you up for handcrafted? Illinois is a land of pioneers and a fair share of them are found in Galena Country! The Illinois Made program is an Illinois Department of Tourism initiative. It showcases Illinois makers, creators and artisans – the craftspeople, artists, family-owned businesses, small-batch breweries, distilleries, foodies, and farmers that make Illinois thrive.

Each maker has a captivating story to tell, whether it be a rich history, unique origins, or a pioneering spirit. Meet the Galena Country makers and creators who are proud to be recognized as Illinois Makers:

Blaum Bros. Distilling Co.

After the brothers quit their day jobs (Mike worked for the Department of Defense; Matt dabbled in nuclear medicine), the Bros. settled in Galena, a town steeped in distilling history, and took their passion for good booze to a higher level. Blaum Bros. has quickly become a popular tourist attraction in Galena. Read more

Dittmar Farms and Orchard

Owned and operated by the Dittmar family since 1854, this farm specializes in sweet corn, pumpkins, and apples. The pumpkin patch started when they decided to have an annual pumpkin party; now it is famous for offering U-pick pumpkins for five to six weeks in September and October. They also offer hayrides, handmade donuts, a corn maze, and lots of family fun. Read more

Eshelman Pottery

Each piece, from cups to plates to serving dishes, is inspired by Paul Eshelman’s vision of bringing everyone together around a dinner table. His works reflect an artful expression of everyday, bold, innovative, austere, and practical; or as Paul deftly segments on his website masthead - Eat, Drink, Serve, Pour, Arrange. Read more

Galena Bakehouse

Husbands Geoff & Alex Arroyo-Karnish moved to Galena from Manhattan in 2019 to manage the historic Inn at Felt Manor. In returning to their midwestern roots, they quickly fell in love with the picturesque charm of Galena's Historic Main Street. Galena Bakehouse was created from a dream to provide quality homemade food to everyone in Galena in a quick, convenient setting. Read more

Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery

With craftsmanship in mind and family at the root of this Galena winery, Galena Cellars has taken home the Winemaker of the Year Award by the Grape Growers and Vintners Association, along with many other notable mentions. Keeping with the tradition of the tannins, the third generation of Lawlors are currently learning the art of winemaking as their parents did, ensuring the business remains close to home. Read more

Galena Canning Company

After moving to Galena in 1993, Chef Ivo noticed that in this wonderful old town, no one was making Grandma’s old-fashioned canned goods and after many people asked him to bottle his sauces, salsas, and jams, he decided to give it a try! After selling his goods at fairs and markets, the demand grew and grew, and now Galena Canning Company is a flourishing business, winning many awards! Read more

Great American Popcorn Company

The Great American Popcorn Company was established in 1994 by Dave and Cathie Lewis. This local pop shop features an average of 50 different popcorn flavors daily. These popcorn flavors range from decadent, old-fashioned caramel to savory, spicy Italian. The Lewis’s have created over 350 delicious flavors since opening the store over 20 years ago! Read more

Galena Spoon Co.

Galena Spoon Co. offers a wide variety of hand-carved wooden spoons, kitchen boards, hand-turned bowls, and other high-quality kitchen accompaniments and home decor. Enjoy in-store spoon-carving demonstrations and so much more at this charming shop at the corner of Hill & Main in the heart of historic downtown Galena, IL. Read more

Marie's Wood Carving

Marie's wood carvings are original designs handcrafted from hardwoods such as walnut and cherry, or exotic woods like purple heart and rosewood. Each artisanal piece has been hand-carved, sculpted and finished with intricate detail. Marie McDonough has been carving in her "spare time" for over 20 years. Learn to carve a Comfort Bird in one 4-hour beginner's class! Read more

River Bend Gallery

As a person born with Down syndrome, Geoffrey has found a special connection with photography as a means of self-expression. His artwork, often technically difficult, catches elusive light that the eye sees but that cameras often miss. After graduating from Community College, Geoffrey decided to pursue a full-time career as an artist. In the spring of 2016, River Bend Gallery was launched on Galena’s famous Main Street, housing his entire photography collection. Read more

There's so much more to explore in Galena Country. Browse the latest visitors guide to learn why this area is Forever Original! 

*A portion of the above text is from the Illinois Office of Tourism website.*