Part of Our Route 66 Everytown Collection – Galena Edition
Crafted from ultra-soft 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, this unisex jersey tee combines everyday comfort with the rugged energy of Route 66. Featuring the bold "Entering Cherokee County" slogan, it celebrates Galena, Kansas - the very first Kansas town along the Mother Road and one steeped in mining history. Once a bustling boomtown, Galena remains a gateway into Cherokee County and a reminder of the grit that shaped the region.
Perfect for Mother Road explorers, history buffs, or collectors of our exclusive Route 66 Everytown Collection, this tee captures Galena's enduring legacy. From its lead and zinc mines to its iconic bridges and roadside landmarks, Galena is a town where the stories of Route 66 and the American Midwest come alive.
Celebrate Galena: a lively Route 66 hub famous for its mining heritage, the historic Galena Viaduct, and the restored Kan-O-Tex Service Station, home to the tow truck that inspired Disney Pixar's Cars character Tow Mater. Galena's unique blend of history and pop culture makes it a standout stop on the Mother Road.
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About Galena, Kansas: Gateway Into Kansas on Route 66
Galena sits proudly along the 1926-1985 alignment of Route 66 in Cherokee County, marking the eastern entrance of the Mother Road into the state. Founded in 1877, the town exploded into prominence during the lead and zinc mining boom that defined the Tri-State Mining District. Its name, fittingly, comes from the mineral galena - the natural form of lead sulfide - which built both the local economy and Galena's reputation as a true mining town.
With the arrival of Route 66 in 1926, Galena became more than just a mining center, growing into a key stop for motorists traveling westward. The 1923 Galena Viaduct, a concrete bridge built over abandoned mine shafts, is one of the town's most enduring engineering landmarks and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Downtown Galena, lined with brick storefronts and historic architecture, still carries the atmosphere of its boomtown past, welcoming travelers with a mix of nostalgia and small town hospitality.
One of Galena's most famous attractions today is the restored Kan-O-Tex Service Station, a classic roadside gas station turned visitor center and gift shop. Parked out front is a 1951 International boom truck, nicknamed "Tow Mater," which served as partial inspiration for Tow Mater in Disney Pixar's Cars.
Together with annual Route 66 celebrations organized by the Kansas Historic Route 66 Association, Galena continues to embrace its mining heritage, quirky roadside culture, and vital role as the gateway to Kansas on the Mother Road.
Product Features:
- 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton for premium softness
- Side seams for added structure and durability
- Tear-away label for comfort
- Classic crew neckline with a flattering unisex fit - true-to-size for all day comfort (see size chart for details)
- Fulfilled in the USA
Care Instructions:
- Machine wash: cold (max 90°F / 30°C)
- Tumble dry: low heat
- Non-chlorine bleach as needed
- Iron or steam: medium heat
- Do not dry clean
