Voices of Vishnu Springs
Jennifer Washburn
Issue date: 10/23/09 Section: News
The Friends of Vishnu on Sunday invited the public to share their stories of Vishnu Springs and to visit the historic resort, which has been closed since the 1980s.
"We're trying to get stories," said Randy Powell, a volunteer with Friends of Vishnu. "We have people saying someone stayed here or their grandparents were here as babies in their parents arms."
Marla Vizdal, an archivist at the Western Illinois University Leslie F. Malpass Library, who works for Friends of Vishnu Springs, spoke about the history of the land and area. The Friends of Vishnu have been working with Western since 2003.
Vizdal explained that the history of Vishnu Springs goes back to the 1840s, when Ebenezer Hicks moved his family from Ohio to McDonough County. Hicks bought over 5,000 acres, one section being Vishnu Springs.
Hicks knew springs were likely on the property but never capitalized on them, while Dr. J.W. Aiken, from Tennessee, Ill., tried to capitalize on the mineral aspects of the water. Aiken hoped to sell the water from the spring to cure various medical ailments but did not make a substantial profit.
Hicks left the property to eldest son Darius, and it eventually ended up in the University's possesion. The Capitol Hotel has been on site since 1890, and is the only original structure remaining. There is a silo, but it is a mystery as to when it was built and for what use.
Stone work was done on the hotel in June 1889, and it was opened to the public in May of the following year. Thirty lots were sold for people to build on so Vishnu Springs could become a city.
The hotel has 20 guest rooms, each 8x10 feet, dining room, parlor and a ballroom.
Activities included a skating rink, a croquet court and a racetrack on a hill which required having to climb stairs to get there. There was also a horse-drawn merry-go-round. There was also a working photography studio/dark room.
Besides the merry-go-round and race track, there was also a spring house where people could sign guest books. The hotel was going to be torn down, but work was done so the hotel could remain on the property.
"We're trying to get stories," said Randy Powell, a volunteer with Friends of Vishnu. "We have people saying someone stayed here or their grandparents were here as babies in their parents arms."
Marla Vizdal, an archivist at the Western Illinois University Leslie F. Malpass Library, who works for Friends of Vishnu Springs, spoke about the history of the land and area. The Friends of Vishnu have been working with Western since 2003.
Vizdal explained that the history of Vishnu Springs goes back to the 1840s, when Ebenezer Hicks moved his family from Ohio to McDonough County. Hicks bought over 5,000 acres, one section being Vishnu Springs.
Hicks knew springs were likely on the property but never capitalized on them, while Dr. J.W. Aiken, from Tennessee, Ill., tried to capitalize on the mineral aspects of the water. Aiken hoped to sell the water from the spring to cure various medical ailments but did not make a substantial profit.
Hicks left the property to eldest son Darius, and it eventually ended up in the University's possesion. The Capitol Hotel has been on site since 1890, and is the only original structure remaining. There is a silo, but it is a mystery as to when it was built and for what use.
Stone work was done on the hotel in June 1889, and it was opened to the public in May of the following year. Thirty lots were sold for people to build on so Vishnu Springs could become a city.
The hotel has 20 guest rooms, each 8x10 feet, dining room, parlor and a ballroom.
Activities included a skating rink, a croquet court and a racetrack on a hill which required having to climb stairs to get there. There was also a horse-drawn merry-go-round. There was also a working photography studio/dark room.
Besides the merry-go-round and race track, there was also a spring house where people could sign guest books. The hotel was going to be torn down, but work was done so the hotel could remain on the property.
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…)
Post a Comment