Galva, IL: Restored Cities Service Gas Station, Foundry and Big River Resource Grain Elevator

Gas Station: (Satellite)

Cities Service Gas Station

Street View, Aug 2025

Trent Briggs posted three photos with the comment:

The restored former City Services gas station, located on the curve of West Division Street in Galva, Illinois.

Years ago, it was converted to a private residence and recently received a complete restoration of the building, returning it to its original 1923 look.

The building is now a popular B&B.

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It was still a residence in a Sep 2022 view. It was in the process of being restored in this view. I'm glad he could find some 1923 pumps. This curve is where US-24 turns south to 2nd Street, which is the road that leaves town to the West.

Street View, Aug 2023

Galva Foundry Company

Trent Briggs posted five images with the comment:

The Galva Foundry Company

Based in Galva, Illinois, The Galva Foundry was a major regional producer of iron and metal castings.

The Galva Foundry produced industrial metal castings for machinery, and served as a vital component of the local economy for many decades.

The company operated as a key employer in Henry County before permanently closing its doors and ceasing operations on December 6, 1991.

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The brick building on the right is the one in Trent's photos, and it was probably the office building.

Street View, Aug 2023

Dennis DeBruler commented on Photo 5
The sawtooth-roof building in the southwest part of the plant is also extant: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1q6R7HFr6mVE5t3S7.

A CB&Q branch and the Rock Island passed just north of the office building.

1953 Galva Quad @ 24,000 via Dennis DeBruler

The foundry was south of the tracks and west of 6th Avenue.

1938 Aerial Photo from ILHAP via Dennis DeBruler

The CB&Q branch went to New Boston on the Mississippi River.

1902

Grain Elevators

Satellite

I wonder what they now use the original elevator for.

Satellite

While researching the gas station, I found a big feed mill.

Satellite

RiverValleyCoop
River Valley Cooperative supplies quality bulk feed for swine and poultry throughout eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. Our two feed manufacturing locations produce an average of 1,700 tons of feed per day and use 10 million bushels of corn annually. Our customers rely on us day in and day out, and we’re committed to doing things right.   

Bonus

This bridge is not worth its own post, but I do want to save a photo of it.

Steven J. Brown posted
Milwaukee Road 261 pounds through Galva, Illinois over the ex-CB&Q main line on May 20, 2000.
Paul Jevert shared