The Steamboat House

The history of our Galena bed and breakfast inn, The Steamboat House, and its famous owner are an integral part of the town's history. One of Galena's most important landmarks, The Steamboat House is a Gothic Revival historic mansion built by steamboat captain Daniel Smith Harris and his wife, Sarah. Although making an initial fortune in lead mining, Daniel is best known for his illustrious career in steamboating. Daniel built the first steamboat ever launched in Galena. He was known as the King of the Upper Mississippi River and captained many boats, being an owner/partner in several steamboat companies. His most famous boat, The Grey Eagle, (designed by Daniel on the front porch of the mansion) held a steam speed record for travel on the Mississippi, which was not broken until 1945.