This county got it's name from Albert Gallatin. He was the secretary of the Treasury, a statesman and financier, Representative in Congress from Pennsylvania, Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, and Minister to France and England. It was established on September 14, 1812. The court house is located in  Shawneetown Illinois. It is on the Ohio River and is bordering Kentucky and Indiana. Shawnee National Forest is in Gallatin County also.