Galloway Log House

Original Location: Goes Station

Current Location: Church St. in Xenia, Ohio

The historic Galloway Log House was relocated twice in the 20th century to protect it from industrial demolition and integrate it into Xenia's preserved historical center

The 1936 Relocation: Escaping Industrialization

The Origin Site: Built in 1799 near a bend in the Little Miami River (near Goes Station on U.S. 68), the cabin spent over a century on its original plot.
The Threat: By the early 20th century, the land had been swallowed up by industrial operations, eventually owned by the Hercules Explosive Corporation. When operations ceased, preserving the cabin became an urgent priority.
The Preservation Push: In 1934, Miss Emma King donated a plot of land at the corner of Second and Monroe streets to serve as a county museum. Alice Galloway Eavey subsequently purchased the cabin and donated it to the newly formed Greene County Museum Association (now the Greene County Historical Society).
The Move: In 1936, crews successfully transferred the white-oak cabin to the Second and Monroe lot, where it was meticulously restored and opened to the public
The 1965 Relocation: Consolidating the Museum
- The Catalyst: After nearly three decades at its second location, the Greene County Historical Society expanded and relocated its main operations to a unified museum complex on West Church Street.
- The Move: In November 1965, the 166-year-old cabin was put on wheels and rolled through town. Locals watched the massive timber structure navigate down East Main Street and North Detroit Street.
- The Destination: It was placed at its current permanent location at 74 West Church Street, completing a unified hub for local historical preservation

Learn more

Pvt James Galloway Sr. Veteran

Birth: 1 Mar 1750 Cumberland County, Pennsylvania

Death: 6 Aug 1838 (aged 88) Xenia, Greene County, Ohio

Burial: Stevenson Cemetery‍. Wilberforce, Greene County, Ohio

‍ ‍

Trebein-Flynn

The Galloway Family

The Galloway family history in Xenia, Ohio centers on pioneer James Galloway Sr., his wife Rebekah Junkin, and their historic 1799 log house that became a landmark of early Greene County. Originally constructed by James and Rebekah Junkin Galloway in 1799 near what is now Goes Station.

Early Settlement and Public Service

Arrival: James Galloway Sr. and his wife Rebekah (Junkin) moved their family from Kentucky to Greene County, Ohio, in 1798, first building a small cabin and then a two-story white oak log house in 1799 near Goes Station by the Little Miami River.
Revolutionary War: James Sr.’s served as a hunter during the American Revolution, providing game meat for the army.
Local Government: James Sr. served as Greene County’s first treasurer from 1703 until 1819, while his son, James Jr., served as the first county surveyor.

Relation with Tecumseh

Friendship: The Galloway homestead sat near a Shawnee settlement, leading to a close friendship with the famous Shawnee leader Tecumseh.
Education Legend:Local history and tradition state that the Galloway’s daughter, Rebekah, taught Tecumseh how to read and write in English

The genealogies and histories of the surviving children who lived in early Xenia and Greene County include:

1. Major James Galloway Jr. (1782–1850)

Role: He served as the first County Surveyor of Greene County and was a prominent local figure, helping map out the early roads and boundaries of Xenia and the surrounding townships.
Military: He attained the rank of Major, serving during the War of 1812.
Note: The suffixes "Sr." and "Jr." became essential in early local records to distinguish between him and his father due to their extensive overlapping public service.

Rebekah Galloway (1791–1876)

Role: She is famously known as the daughter who befriended and allegedly tutored the Shawnee leader Tecumseh. Historical accounts indicate Tecumseh admired her greatly and even proposed marriage, which she declined due to his refusal to adopt a Western lifestyle.
Marriage: She later married her cousin, George Galloway, and spent the remainder of her life in Greene County.

3. Joseph Galloway (1781–1842)

Life: Born in Kentucky, he moved north with the family as a teenager. He worked the local lands and established his own household in the expanding Greene County pioneer community.

4. William Galloway (1785–1823)

Life: He was another of the older sons born during the family's residence near Lexington, Kentucky. He helped clear the original homestead near Goes Station but died relatively young at age 38.

5. Samuel Galloway (1787–1851)

Life: Born in Kentucky, Samuel was part of the initial generation of children who helped transition the wilderness of the Little Miami River valley into functional farmland

6. Andrew Galloway (1796–1864)

Life: Andrew was the youngest child born in Kentucky before the family packed their belongings and crossed the Ohio River into what would become Xenia Township.

7. Ann Galloway & Anthony Galloway

Life: These were the two youngest children, unique for being the only siblings born after the family settled permanently in Greene County, Ohio.