The Parker

The Parker is an 80+ acre "Planned Unit Development" (PUD) that has recently been approved in Galena, Illinois. The US Marine Hospital, built in 1858 by Ely Parker and shown here, will be the focal point for the first of four phases. Eventually, the entire property will be dotted with cabins, trails, restaurant, vineyard/winery, and hotel/event center.

Below is a summary of the proposed project, as well as links to more detailed information posted on the City of Galena website.

There is a lot of interest in this project in the community, and this page provides just a few details for the curious. It is not a paid advertisement, and it is not meant to be comprehensive. If you'd like to learn more, I encourage you to seek more information.

The Land

Zoning map showing outline of property; present day photo of the hospital built in 1858.

The Parker is proposed for the site of the old Marine Hospital (built by Galena's own Ely Parker, hence the name) and the adjacent farm. The building has been neglected for a long time, originally used as a hospital for maritime accidents, later a school for German Americans and eventually abandoned.

If you'd like to learn more about the history of the Marine Hospital, see The Galena Foundation.

The "farm" has been used for non-food purposes (subsidized corn, don't get me started), and provides acres of woodland to accomplish the "eco-tourism" niche that The Parker will help to fill in our community. Eco-tourism has been on the rise for the last 20 years, and has been a focus of the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, as well as other groups in Jo Daviess County.

The Structures

"Apart from the Marine Hospital, the project buildings (Main Building, Café Building, And Winery) will be contemporary structures designed to relate to the wooded and rural nature of the site. The cottages will be designed as small (500 to 800 square feet per unit, some will be double-room units at about 1,600 square feet), simple, modern structures set into the wooded and rural landscape."

The Marine Hospital after rehabilitation

Sample cottage structures - actual designs will be submitted at the appropriate juncture.

Phase I

"Phase 1 will include a complete rehabilitation of the Marine Hospital (incorporating 4-5 lodging rooms, check-in area, coffee bar/lounge, and exhibit area), 32 guest cottages, planting of a 6-acre vineyard, Phase 1 roadway development including access off of Blackjack Road, parking places as required to meet the standards, and Phase 1 walking trails. Phase 1 may also include construction of the Winery Barn shell structure."

Phase I will include 32 guest cottages

Phase II

"Phase 2 involves the addition of 40 guest cottages, a maintenance building, the installation of a retention pond, Phase 2 roadway development, and parking places as required to meet the standards."

The Parker after completion of Phase II

Phase III

"Phase 3 will include the construction of the Main Building (which includes the resort restaurant, outdoor pool & spa, event center for 300 people, and 20 guest rooms, the planting of 4 acres of gardens with a wedding ceremony gazebo, construction of a café building, Phase 3 roadway development, and parking places as required to meet the standards."

The Parker after completion of Phase III

Phase IV

"Phase 4 includes the construction of the winery, 40 additional guest cottages, 8 mini silo guesthouses, Phase 4 roadway development, parking places as required to meet the standards, and Phase 4 walking trails (including a ravine bridge)."

The Parker after completion of Phase IV