Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2010 16:45:00 GMT 10
Hidden away in a secluded valley along the Lamoine River in McDonough County, Illinois is a secret place - a place long forgotten by the outside world. It was once considered a magical valley by those who came here seeking peace, serenity and the healing waters of the springs. Today, it is an abandoned village of which no homes, streets or residents remain. Only a once-stately three-story hotel remains here as testimony to days gone by.
But while Illinois history has forgotten Vishnu Springs - Vishnu Springs has not forgotten the history that once took place here. It lingers behind as ghostly echoes from the past.
As the years have passed, the old hotel has continued to deteriorate and today it is little more than a crumbling shadow of its former self. Despite the interest of local societies and historic groups, the valley remained private property until the death of the last member of the Post family. Since that time, the status of the land has remained in limbo and the ultimate fate of Vishnu remains a mystery.
And perhaps it is this very mystery, as well as its isolation, that has been the source of the legends that have come to be told here. As the town fell into ruin and the houses collapsed and were covered with weeds and brush, those who ventured into Vishnu came away with strange and perplexing tales. The accounts spoke of a woman in black who roamed through the abandoned streets. Who this woman may have been is unknown, but she was said to vanish without a trace when approached. Visitors also told of sounds from Vishnu’s past, echoing into the present. They were the sounds of voices, laughter and music, as if glory days of Vishnu were still being lived out - in a world just beyond our own.
And apparently, the sounds of everyday life continue here as well. One visitor, David Grindstaff, told me personally of visiting the hotel and hearing the sound of someone pounding on metal coming from outside. It would not be until I showed him an old map of Vishnu that he realized the sounds were coming from the direction of the old livery barn and blacksmith shop. No trace of this building remains today and no hammers and anvils can be found among the ruins of Vishnu
Is Vishnu Springs a haunted place? Perhaps not in the traditional sense, as aside from the legendary woman in black, there are no ghostly apparitions to be found wandering in the darkness. Nevertheless, how do we explain the eerie sounds that have been reported by several generations of visitors to this quiet place? Can they be anything but echoes of a time gone by?
So yes, Vishnu is haunted by the ghosts of the past and it remains a part of Illinois history that most have forgotten. Sadly, vandals have caused more than their share of damage here and unfortunately, Vishnu and the Capitol Hotel have been abandoned to their mercy. The state of Illinois has already declared that the hotel is not old enough or important enough to be considered significant and for this reason, is beyond their protection. Thankfully though, the isolated location of the valley manages to keep the worst of the curiosity-seekers away
But while Illinois history has forgotten Vishnu Springs - Vishnu Springs has not forgotten the history that once took place here. It lingers behind as ghostly echoes from the past.
As the years have passed, the old hotel has continued to deteriorate and today it is little more than a crumbling shadow of its former self. Despite the interest of local societies and historic groups, the valley remained private property until the death of the last member of the Post family. Since that time, the status of the land has remained in limbo and the ultimate fate of Vishnu remains a mystery.
And perhaps it is this very mystery, as well as its isolation, that has been the source of the legends that have come to be told here. As the town fell into ruin and the houses collapsed and were covered with weeds and brush, those who ventured into Vishnu came away with strange and perplexing tales. The accounts spoke of a woman in black who roamed through the abandoned streets. Who this woman may have been is unknown, but she was said to vanish without a trace when approached. Visitors also told of sounds from Vishnu’s past, echoing into the present. They were the sounds of voices, laughter and music, as if glory days of Vishnu were still being lived out - in a world just beyond our own.
And apparently, the sounds of everyday life continue here as well. One visitor, David Grindstaff, told me personally of visiting the hotel and hearing the sound of someone pounding on metal coming from outside. It would not be until I showed him an old map of Vishnu that he realized the sounds were coming from the direction of the old livery barn and blacksmith shop. No trace of this building remains today and no hammers and anvils can be found among the ruins of Vishnu
Is Vishnu Springs a haunted place? Perhaps not in the traditional sense, as aside from the legendary woman in black, there are no ghostly apparitions to be found wandering in the darkness. Nevertheless, how do we explain the eerie sounds that have been reported by several generations of visitors to this quiet place? Can they be anything but echoes of a time gone by?
So yes, Vishnu is haunted by the ghosts of the past and it remains a part of Illinois history that most have forgotten. Sadly, vandals have caused more than their share of damage here and unfortunately, Vishnu and the Capitol Hotel have been abandoned to their mercy. The state of Illinois has already declared that the hotel is not old enough or important enough to be considered significant and for this reason, is beyond their protection. Thankfully though, the isolated location of the valley manages to keep the worst of the curiosity-seekers away