Vishnu Springs

Vishnu Springs is a forgotten ghost town tucked into a secluded valley of the LaMoine River, near Macomb, IL.  It was founded in 1889 by Darius Hicks, was known through most of its short life as a health resort containing spring water with magical healing properties, and was abandoned in the 1920's after a brief second incarnation as a mobster hangout.  A couple restorative attempts of the Capitol Hotel followed, and Vishnu Springs was briefly a commune for hippie college students from nearby WIU in the 1970's.  Today it sits abandoned in its hidden valley, only a local legend even to most who live nearby.  Not much remains but the still-structurally-sound Capitol Hotel, though the fabled waters of Vishnu Spring still flow.  The property's present owners (Western Illinois University) specifically instruct would-be caretakers to let it rot.  Vishnu Springs is a beautiful, historic place that won't be around much longer without the intervention of those who love it.

Vishnu Springs - Complete History          Vishnu Springs - Narrative of Our Visit in '06          Vishnu Springs - Photo Gallery '06

 If you feel this is improper treatment of an historical site by an institution of higher learning, I'm sure WIU would be interested in hearing your thoughts.  You can email your comments to WIU's History Department Chair:  

Anyone who has questions (or answers!) about Vishnu Springs, please feel free to