Voices of Vishnu Springs
Jennifer Washburn
Issue date: 10/23/09 Section: News
People living at Vishnu Springs couldn't make a living with the photography studio and a trading post because it is in a highly isolated area. The property was abandoned following the death of Hicks in 1908 until Ira and Reatha T. Post bought it in 1935.
After the death of Ira Post in 1951, Reatha kept the hotel open until 1954 when it was closed due to vandals. It was re-opened again in the early 1960s but failed to prosper until the 1970s when students moved in and took care of the hotel and property.
In 2003, Post's granddaughter deeded the property to the Western Illinois University foundation. She wanted the university to adequately use it as a wildlife foundation. The Friends of Vishnu got involved to help preserve the history of the area, as well as the College of Arts and Science Environmental Studies program being allowed to do research on the grounds.
One of the things the Friends of Vishnu wanted to do was document stories that people have of the area. Michael Thompson, a volunteer with the organization, wandered around to find people who had any memory of being at Vishnu Springs.
One volunteer to share their story was Brenda Wetzel Sage from Carthage. Sage remembers walking down to Vishnu Springs with her mom in the '70s. The hotel was in excellent condition, the well was still standing and there were goldfish in the pond.
"I see Manson (on the walls of the hotel), and I want to scrape it off," Sage said, noting that the hotel is currently painted with various names and phrases, as well as Greek letters.
Joe McRaven, from Macomb, also told of his experiences at Vishnu Springs. He visited several times between 1963 and 1966.
He joked that "if you were not caught by the farmer, you could have a good time."
"A friend from Blandinsville, Ill., the Homecoming queen and I all came down here," McRaven said. "We partied. They were going to make an announcement that the queen was supposed to attend (a Homecoming event). We woke up about three in the morning, and she had missed her announcement."
Martha Logan Gray, from the Macomb area, remembers going to Vishnu Springs as a child. She spent her 80th birthday there. One of the last times Gray was at Vishnu Springs was in the '60s, She took a fur coat up to the ballroom on the top floor of the hotel and started dancing around.
"I try to give a little money when possible," Gray said.
The Friends of Vishnu want to respect the wishes of Ira Post and keep it a wildlife sanctuary, where no animals are harmed. The current caretaker of Vishnu Springs is Morris Wells, who helped get people to and from the parking area.
McDonough County sheriff Johnny Carson was also on site to help. He estimated that throughout the six hours that Vishnu was open to the public, roughly 1,000 people attended.
After the death of Ira Post in 1951, Reatha kept the hotel open until 1954 when it was closed due to vandals. It was re-opened again in the early 1960s but failed to prosper until the 1970s when students moved in and took care of the hotel and property.
In 2003, Post's granddaughter deeded the property to the Western Illinois University foundation. She wanted the university to adequately use it as a wildlife foundation. The Friends of Vishnu got involved to help preserve the history of the area, as well as the College of Arts and Science Environmental Studies program being allowed to do research on the grounds.
One of the things the Friends of Vishnu wanted to do was document stories that people have of the area. Michael Thompson, a volunteer with the organization, wandered around to find people who had any memory of being at Vishnu Springs.
One volunteer to share their story was Brenda Wetzel Sage from Carthage. Sage remembers walking down to Vishnu Springs with her mom in the '70s. The hotel was in excellent condition, the well was still standing and there were goldfish in the pond.
"I see Manson (on the walls of the hotel), and I want to scrape it off," Sage said, noting that the hotel is currently painted with various names and phrases, as well as Greek letters.
Joe McRaven, from Macomb, also told of his experiences at Vishnu Springs. He visited several times between 1963 and 1966.
He joked that "if you were not caught by the farmer, you could have a good time."
"A friend from Blandinsville, Ill., the Homecoming queen and I all came down here," McRaven said. "We partied. They were going to make an announcement that the queen was supposed to attend (a Homecoming event). We woke up about three in the morning, and she had missed her announcement."
Martha Logan Gray, from the Macomb area, remembers going to Vishnu Springs as a child. She spent her 80th birthday there. One of the last times Gray was at Vishnu Springs was in the '60s, She took a fur coat up to the ballroom on the top floor of the hotel and started dancing around.
"I try to give a little money when possible," Gray said.
The Friends of Vishnu want to respect the wishes of Ira Post and keep it a wildlife sanctuary, where no animals are harmed. The current caretaker of Vishnu Springs is Morris Wells, who helped get people to and from the parking area.
McDonough County sheriff Johnny Carson was also on site to help. He estimated that throughout the six hours that Vishnu was open to the public, roughly 1,000 people attended.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
john s
posted 10/24/09 @ 3:59 AM CST
as a former resident in the 70s it's good to see the old hotel getting a little positive press. Keep up the good work & good luck.
disgusted by WIU
posted 10/26/09 @ 12:05 PM CST
OMG Why all the publicity? The state has already wrote it off as NOT historic,NOT worth saving.
The a$$holes at the University, SUPPORTED BY OUR TAXES, arrest you if you go to Vishnu. (Continued…)
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