Residents, businesses and visitors benefit from Galena's peaceful environment, easy access to major roadways, location on the Ohio-to-Erie Trail, and proximity to natural areas.Situated at the confluence of Little and Big Walnut Creeks, Galena was established in 1809 as a milling center. Galena's historic New England style downtown still boasts structures built in the 1820s. Much of the original town includes older homes, while newer subdivisions began being built in 2005. For a long time, the town was best known for the Galena Shale Tile and Brick Company which operated from the 1890s until 1983, and produced products that were shipped across the United States. Galena was incorporated as a municipal government in 1923.Galena is also popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Birdwatchers can find a wide array of bird species through the seasons with access to a variety of habitats via the Hoover Boardwalk, Ruffner Park along Big Walnut Creek, the bicycle/pedestrian trails, and the Little Walnut mudflats. Anglers have success to Hoover Reservoir, Big Walnut Creek and Little Walnut Creek. Bicyclists – both local and long-distance trekkers – enjoy the community's growing paved trail system. The Ohio-to-Erie Trail passes through Galena, which also makes for an easy trip to adjacent towns like Westerville and Sunbury.Galena's state-of-the-art water reclamation facility treats wastewater to the most stringent EPA standards. Its effluent is designed to meet EPA's drinking water standards. Furthermore, the plant's exterior appearance is uniquely designed to fit the town's historical character. Rather than looking like a typical plain, utilitarian wastewater plant, the outward appearance is fashioned after an historic mill that even has a working water wheel. The plant is designed to accommodate future population growth in the region.