A Town of Many Names

Located at the intersection of Maryland Routes 213 and 290 with early prosperity fueled by its proximity to the Sassafras River, Galena was a crossroads vital to travelers and attractive to businesses and visitors. In fact, the town was originally known as Down’s Cross Roads in recognition of William Downs, who built and Inn and Tavern which became the heart of Galena’s early village. The inn was vital to travelers who were often left weary by carriage rides and needed a place to replenish their horses, seek lodging and stop for a meal. Even George Washington visited the inn on his way to Mount Vernon enroute to and from the first continental congress. He traveled through Galena on his eight visits to Kent County. For a brief amount of time the town was later known as Georgetown Cross Roads.

In 1858, Chapter 373 of the Maryland Statutes included “An Act to change the name of the Town of Georgetown Cross Roads to that of Galena and to incorporate said Town.” Galena is said to have been named after a type of silver that was found in a mine near the town in 1813.