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The Springs of Western Springs

There really was a spring for which the village of Western Springs was named.  It was Alcyone Springs.  Its water were told to have great healing powers.  The waters had been used for a long time by local Native Americans.  It flowed at a rate of 40 gallon per minute.  Visitors traveled from Chicago and other places to drink the spring water.  At one time the water was bottled and shipped by the "Alcyone Mineral Spring Company" via the Aurora-Chicago railroad line for consumption elsewhere.

In the 1890s the village determined it needed to establish a complete water works.  The firm of Williams and Williams (see Edgar Williams and Benezette Williams ) had already formed an engineering company with John Nichol and George Huss.  The Williams' were the principal architects for the village's  entire water works system, including both a water tower, sewage system and wells for fresh water.  Three 1,800 foot-deep-wells were dug.

Very soon the natural spring dried up!

There was no longer a spring in Western Springs!

Today there is a park at the northwest corner of Central Avenue and 47th Street.  After parking in the lot, walk to the southwest and we find this stone marker...

...with this plaque...

The stone was was given in memory of Robert W. McNeily, a past village president, by his family and friends

 


The primary sources of information for this entry is the book:

Last Modified:  04/28/2003