Once again, I’m going to have to miss it this year. But if you’re looking for something to do this weekend, and an excuse to be outdoors, you should think about attending the “open house”—(a.k.a permission to visit legally)—at the property once known as Vishnu Springs.
As loyal readers know, the legend of Vishnu Springs—a once-bustling little resort that became a ghost-town, an invisible-from-the-road spot in the remote-est of places in McDonough County—has long been an obsession of mine.
But before you go, could I please offer a[nother] piece of unsolicited advice?
I encourage you to steep yourself in the idea of the place first.
This week, a co-worker (formerly a suburbanite) asked me if she and her kids would get anything out of the event. I thought I should answer honestly that, once you find the place, there really isn’t all that much to see.
(more below, after the photos I took when I was **definitely not trespassing there** in 2007)
Vishnu Springs Capitol Hotel backside (north)
But, if, like me, you get the chills from standing in a certain spot—an almost entirely forgotten spot—and thinking about all that once took place there, you’ll get more from the experience.
In other words, think about the fact that out in the middle of nowhere, there was once a town so popular, it included a railroad stop that brought tourists from Chicago. That it was rumored to be a hideout for Al Capone. That WIU students from the counterculture era made their way out there to live communally and play music and…do other things. And that every person who spent time there, all those years ago, thought his/her own time in the world was just as important as believe ours to be.
So yes, I think anyone who has an interest in history and ghost towns and local legends can “get something out of it.”
Here are the open house details (from the Facebook event page, where one respondent—perhaps reflecting the spirit of his time there in a certain previous decade—wrote that even though he can’t be there, “Smoke one for me!”
The second opportunity for the public to visit Vishnu Springs (Ira and Reatha T. Post Wildlife Sanctuary). A short historical and educational update will take place at 1:30 pm. Take this opportunity to come visit Vishnu without the risk of having to “trespass” to do so. More information about Vishnu Springs is at www.vishnusprings.org.
Tags: Al Capone, Colchester, events, IL, Illinois, landmarks, local news, local_history, Macomb, McDonoughCounty, nature, places, rural legends, Vishnu_Springs, WIU
Alison, this is actually my first time ever reading your blog because I never knew about it before. I happened to see that you posted about Vishnu Springs on facebook, and I LOVE hearing stores about Vishnu Springs (I have seen it a few times myself, also NOT trespassing…). Now that I have read through a few of your blogs, I will continue keeping up with what you’re writing about. I enjoy midwestern Illinois history! Thanks for taking time to write this blog. Next time you’re in Carthage, maybe I’ll see you at The Wood.
does anybody have pictures from the inside??
Wow, Jared, thanks! So glad you found something interesting on here.
Also, apparently I missed you riding the mechanical bull in Hancock County last weekend??:)
Oh, and, I have a question for you, as Chamber prez, can you help me find out who wrote the story about John Dillinger in Carthage, the one in the new brochure at Carthage businesses? i really want to know more about this!
Check out the ones I took in the basement. But also I think there are some on that web site, vishnusprings.org. If I find more I will post them.
Sorry, just had a chance to read through your posts from the week. I’ll see if I can find out more information about the John Dillinger story. You’re welcome to email me at the email address that I have provided. I know who to talk to, so I’ll send him an email to see what I can find out.