The Illinois town of Galesburg symbolizes the past and, specifically, the peace and fulfillment that ostensibly comes from life in a time before the 20th century. Galesburg’s simplicity and peace makes it a prime destination for Charley as he attempts to travel back to 1894, since he views both Galesburg and the 19th century as settings free from the isolation and coldness of modern life. As it turns out, he's correct in this regard; when Sam finally makes it to 1894 Galesburg, he tells Charley that he loves it there due to the kindness of the neighbors and his simple life as a shopkeeper. In this way, Finney makes Galesburg almost synonymous with 1894 in that they function as an escape from modernity into the simplicity of the United States before the World Wars.
Galesburg, Illinois Quotes in The Third Level
Have you ever been there? It’s a wonderful town still, with big old frame houses, huge lawns and tremendous trees whose branches meet overhead and roof the streets. And in 1894, summer evenings were twice as long, and people sat out on their lawns, the men smoking cigars and talking quietly, the women waving palm-leaf fans, with the fireflies all around, in a peaceful world. To be back there with the First World War still twenty years off, and World War II over forty years in the future … I wanted two tickets for that.
My friend Sam Weiner disappeared! Nobody knew where, but I sort of suspected because Sam’s a city boy, and I used to tell him about Galesburg—I went to school there—and he always said he liked the sound of the place.
Charley, it’s true; I found the third level! I’ve been here two weeks, and right now, down the street at the Daly’s, someone is playing a piano, and they’re all out on the front porch singing, “Seeing Nellie home.” And I’m invited over for lemonade. Come on back, Charley and Louisa. Keep looking till you find the third level! It’s worth it, believe me!
I found out that Sam bought eight hundred dollars’ worth of old-style currency. That ought to set him up in a nice little hay, feed, and grain business; he always said that’s what he really wished he could do, and he certainly can’t go back to his old business. Not in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1894. His old business? Why, Sam was my psychiatrist.
Galesburg, Illinois Symbol Timeline in The Third Level
