Galesburg became known as a railroad town. Galesburg is one of the few cities to have two Amtrak depots, both the Burlington Northern Railroad and the Santa Fe Railway provide service. In September 1995, Burlington Northern and Santa Fe railroads merged. Perhaps Galesburg's most famous son was the Pulitzer prize-winning poet and historian, Carl Sandburg. He was born is a small cottage on January 6, 1878.
Newcomers are often surprised at the depth and quality of local programs in the fine arts.
The range of activities is exceptional for a community the size of Galesburg. Galesburg has met its responsibility with their fine public and private institutions. Excellence has always been the goal of school administrators, who have consistently sought to keep the quality of the teaching staff and the curriculum high.