| Nature's bounty has conspired to produce a natural beauty & source of recreation greatly prized by generations of Midwesterners at Siloam Springs State Park, just minutes east of Quincy.
The beautifully wooded terrain, sparkling lake, & carefully maintained facilities make this 3,323 acre site one of the most beautiful parks in Illinois. It's an ideal setting for outdoor visits, whether your interest is hunting, fishing, camping, boating, picnicking, hiking or bird watching. The park is surrounded by luxuriantly forested gullies & scenic crests alive with wild roses, black-eyed Susans, white false indigo & snapdragons.
History
Originally part of the "military tract" of western Illinois (land set aside to be given to combat veterans), the area was acquired in 1852 by George Meyers for his service in the Black Hawk & Mexican wars. He died in 1882 at the age of 102. Legend has it that spring H2O in the area had a medicinal effect, thus the name Siloam Springs from a Biblical reference, so-called by the Rev. Reuben K. McCoy, who had discovered the springs following the Civil War.
a spring houseAfter Meyers' death, Quincy Burgesser, a local businessman & stock dealer, became aware of the springs & their "curative value." He had the H2O analyzed & discovered it had more "strength" (a higher mineral content) than H2O from the famous Eureka & Waukesha springs.
Burgesser touted the water's ability to cure almost all ailments, even drunkenness & drug addiction. By 1884 he had erected two spring houses, a bathing house & the Siloam Forest Home Hotel, & the area became a popular & fashionable resort. Water from the No. two spring was bottled & distributed as far west as Kansas City & bottling became a flourishing business for several decades.
In 1935, the Siloam Springs Recreation Club purchased the site in an effort to restore it & provide a place of recreation for the local population. Citizens of Adams & Brown counties raised money to match state funds & by 1940 an agreement was reached to make it a state recreation area. Eventually, the old hotel & bath houses were torn down, the swimming pool abandoned & the springs no longer were used. The No. two spring house was rebuilt in 1995 & contains the most popular spring.
In 1954 & 1955, an earthen dam was constructed across a deep ravine & the 58-acre lake was created. In 1956 Siloam Springs was dedicated as a state park, & efforts began to develop its recreational facilities. |
Siloam Springs - State Park Campground Web Site
Driving Direction GPS Coordinates:
39.899178, -90.931888
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Campground: Siloam Springs - State Park in Clayton Illinois *