A visit to Council Hill Station is one of my most highly anticipated experiences. It's a uniquely beautiful and unusual experience. It's beyond my capabilities to adequately describe the place. It's a historic landmark with remarkable charm. But perhaps it's most unique and delightful feature is the proprietor, he is a most charming and charismatic person. He shares his many interesting stories of his musical career And he often will pick up a guitar, harmonica or sit at the piano and thrill you with amazing songs and his impressive musical skills. not to be missed. read more

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We've been coming here a long time and I don't know of any place as significant and unique as Council Hill. We made it out there in the winter time because we were with friends who had never been there. We had to practically drag them away. The vibe and the patrons make it really special. Drop in musicians and impromptu jams in a groovy, historical place .... Nothing else like it. read more

Ok. Weirdest thing ever happened to us at Council hill Station. I was lookin forward to some live music so we roll up at about 630pm on a Sunday, while we were visiting Galena, to no more than 2 cars in the parking lot and about 8 people on the porch of an original general store . With my BFF and hubby in tow, I politely ask if there's music and it turns out we missed it as the band only performed til about 5. Dang it. So I asked if my party of three can go in and see the place since we made the trip and that's when a real nice lady brought us in for a tour and the gentleman in the rocker asked us what we'd like to drink! Now we're talkin'!! We were shown around the store, the old post office, we were told stories about the history of the place and the jail in the basement and toured the rest of the property outside. There is an old grist mill, a wooden silo, a couple barns - one of which is used as the music hall. Not used currently due to covid, but it is an enormous space with mismatched chairs and tables, a bar and every surface of the walls were covered in ink from previous patrons. An outdoor stage sits on the riverbed. Lawn chairs are strewn about. This place looks like it would be a real fun time! We went back in and the owners each picked an instrument to perform a few tunes for us before we left! We had fun chatting with them and singing along. We left after dark, VERY dark in those parts but those bright stars look real nice in the country! Do yourself a favor and stop on by. You'll be glad you did! read more

We walked in early on a weekday and were greeted with one of the most memorable owners ever! We had coffee and bloody Mary's and the most enjoyable 2 hour conversation. It was well worth the trip and a story for the telling. read more

After losing myself in winding roads and walls of cornstalks, and wondering if I'd really found a new shortcut to Wisconsin, I ended up in the paved roads of Council Hill; and a few elusive signs lead me down a big hill, and across the tracks to the station. Arriving here is part "Northern Exposure," and part "Am I in Alaska?" Actually, there was a big bound Atlas on my table here opened up to Alaska. and Diana, one of the proprietors, gave us some Alaska travel advice, having lived there in a past life. She is a warm and engaging story-teller and hostess. You cannot help thinking that this old railroad stop has not changed much in the last 100 years. Diana and Jamie greet you. Dan road his Harley up here from Rockford. We talked of Swedes and road trips. Dave and Josh pop in all camouflaged from hunting deer with bow and arrow. They had nothing to show for today's efforts, so they came here for a couple of beers. There's an old guy from Dubuque and his gal singing corny old songs, and Jamie plays some beautiful piano. Council Hill Station is more like an evolving party (even on a Saturday afternoon) than a foodie destination. I ordered a very decent pulled pork sandwich to ease my late afternoon hunger. And it hit the spot. It is a candy store of beer choices. I did the "when in Rome" thing and drank mine from the bottle-too shy to ask for a glass. And it's just the kind of place where you feel just fine doing that. I've never been to a place like Council Hill Station, and I'm happy it's just up the road a piece from me now. I was even happier to find a shorter route back home. Hope to come back for the evening music jams. The big potbelly wood stove will be a welcome friend in winter. read more

Council Hill Station - Where do I tie up my horse? - Performing Arts Near Me - Scales Mound, Illinois

We have lived in the Tri-State area the majority of our lives so when we came across this gem I was shamed that I had never heard of or been there before! After a day of checking out Galena with family visiting from Germany during lunch a server recommended this place. A great recommendation indeed! The highlight of our day! This is a must see for all and don't forget to leave your mark on the barn door, they have sharpies lined up for you to sign off on. The wife and their adorable little dog Kujo were the best of the best Hostesses. She was so hospitable and a wealth of knowledge. Be sure to ask her why they decided to buy the land. I can't wait to take the rest of my family back there! read more

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You're out riding around in the middle of nowhere northern Illinois. All of a sudden you come across something that looks like an old time general store from the 1920s and the place seems to be rather busy for it's location. You just have to stop and check it out, and you won't be disappointed, that's exactly what the group I was riding with did. The parking is a gravel lot, so if you're on a motorcycle, make sure you have a way to brace your kickstand. Upon entering it looks the same on the inside as it does on the outside, an old stage coach stop, except this one has been preserved in a museum like state. There are pictures, antiques, displays of various memorabilia of times past. It's almost like stepping into the past itself. They had a blue grass band playing out back when we arrived. Based on the fliers on the wall it looks like they have live music there all the time. They have large help yourself coolers where you choose what you want and take it to the counter where you order your food. We placed our orders and then took our time looking around while we waited for it to be cooked. I had the chicken salad and some chips. My companions all ordered various things off the menu from burgers to brats. I wish I could say the food was excellent, but it really was just okay. Nothing spectacular. The burgers appeared to be frozen patties and the brats seemed to be your standard frozen bulk ones you get from stores. But it's not the food you go to Council Hill Station for, it's the atmosphere. Yes, it's a little out of the way, but if your up for the adventure, it's well worth checking out. read more

This is by far one of the strangest and coolest places I have ever been to. Was driving and found it by accident! Such a quaint little place! Located right next to the train tracks, it's an old train station. They have no less than 20 different beers to choose from. The best part was when we walked in and the guy behind the counter said "just go ahead and grab a beer, keep track of how many you drink, then pay the lady on your way out!" So nice that they trust everyone to be honest. There is live music, but the musician was taking a break while we were there. We spent most of the time just roaming around outside and walking down by the creek. This place is about 15 minutes outside of Galena, but it's worth the trip! Especially if you're a train geek like me! read more

Very interesting place full of good times and history. Stop for a snack or stay for the evening entertainment. You will feel like you going back to a simpler time when things were easier. read more

We stopped in on a trip to Galena and this place will always be a must-stop in the future. The hubby and wife owners are super friendly and the ambiance cant be beat. We were greeted with smiles and a tour upon arrival. We were admittedly a bit hungover and to my joy, they pour Zing Zang bloody mary mix with a few special additions to make ti their own, delicious! For beer, you just grab what you want from the cooler (huge craft section) and keep track what you drink. They accept, cash, check, and IOU's, seriously IOU's! "we've never been ripped off" said Jamie who also pays a mean piano. When we declare we had to head out, he told us we can leave without playing us a song. So he jumped on the piano and ripped 2 songs for us before we left. They have a sweet little dog named Cujo that loves to love. I will be back here whenever I am back to the middle of nowhere, thanks guys! read more

Meeting place out of the way and unique, walk in help yourself to drinks in the cooler and pay on your way out. Go out back and sit by the creek and enjoy the view!!!! read more

Council Hill Station is on our "Must Stop" list for any trip to Galena. My wife enjoys Gourd Art, & there was a regional event there last weekend with about a dozen artists gathered to share tips/techniques & stories. The folks that run the station are friendly & welcoming with their own quirks. It used to be a rail road depot/station, & every time the train goes by the guy runs for the piano, straps a harmonica on, & starts playing this 'train is coming through' song. He really sounds pretty good & can't be interrupted until the train's gone through (we saw a few people try). The wood burning stove is original from the 1850s, & the wide plank floor seems solid & looks authentic. The display case by the cash register is full of candy bars, & looks like it would have been full of penny candy in my grandmother's time. They have music every weekend (2 - 3 folks w/ a banjo, guitar, & big bass). This weekend there was a Native American Story Teller, who was very interesting, but she was part of the gourd folks. The $2.00 hot dogs from the DuBuque Pack are thick, juicy, & very tasty! The pulled pork sandwiches were generous, & delicious. It took longer to figure out how much the pulled pork sandwiches cost than it did to order one & have it in my hand. The fridge is about 8' wide & stocked full of craft, & recognizable import beer w/ a few domestics. There's a little river walk with a creek that winds through the property, an old barn & silo that look like they are 2 & 6 (respectively) good storms away from being ready to visit the wood burning stove, & a large shed that would be comfortable in a county fair setting. I'm not sure how much activity is out there when there's not a gourd festival going on, but wouldn't be surprised to find other art related doings. Council Hill Station is well worth the 15 - 20 min. it takes to get there from Galena. read more

So much fun!! It's a great place to visit with the owner payoff the piano and singing! Thank you!!

Love this place. As a biker you want to find places that have some character. Basically you walk in grab your own bottle of beer out of the stand up refrigerators and walk into another room to tell somebody that you need to pay for them. Out back is a huge barn and when they have events it is a great time. They have food, nice people and it sits on a river bank. read more

Can't get more country than this. A historical gathering place with a huge selection of beer and a bit of food. Be prepared to be social as there is no "bar." Crawdads in the creek and bands in the barn on Sunday's in the summer. The proprietor will play music for you if you ask. The store/station is preserved and feels as though the 1800's are alive again. A wood stove in the Station is functional and throws one back into the 19th century. A must see if you are traveling in the area. Can be a little tricky to find so get out your GPS, stop at a visitor's center in Galena, or call the Station. read more

Perhaps the glowing reviews here for Council Hill Station had given us unrealistic expectations,but we found the place less than great.It was Labor Day and it was busy.We did arrive at 2;30,so the food part had wound down-in fact besides seeing a sign for $5 burgers and $4 pork sandwiches,I'm not sure where you were even supposed to get it.There is a bar there,as well as a cooler with a good selection of beers. I suspect on a busy day there are quite a few that walk out the door not paying for those beers perhaps.The music was not going till late in our visit,and seemed to be fine.There really isn't much to do there and see,but it is out of the way,so if you are from the big city,you might find it appealing.We ended up driving back to Elizabeth and had a lot better time going to antique stores and having a great sandwich and draft beer from Dually's.I'm not trying to trash the place,because its "remoteness" has appeal and the drive there is beautiful,but there just isn't a whole lot to do-in our opinion.... read more

This place is HORRIBLE! Its incredibly hard to find. The owners (Jaime and I can't remember her name) were not personable at all. The barn which is down below the small little bar is cool and the music was good, but the "bartenders" were never behind the bar and we waited for drinks for SO long. I also was talking to some musicians and they were saying that the owner took the tips and kept them for himself after they played for several hours! The thing that upset me was that I tipped the musicians thinking they were getting the money. I wasn't aware that the owners were going to take all of it for themselves! We stayed around to listen to the music so the least they could do was let them keep their tips. I got a burger, my wife got a brat, both were undercooked and took forever to get. Over all, it was a horrid experience although the musicians salvaged some of the experience. I would strongly suggest to stay away from the sketchy, little place. read more