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Visitors Guide to the
Siloam Springs State Park is a 3,323-acre park set in the wooded terrain of western Illinois. The park contains a lake and carefully maintained facilities and offers camping, boating, picnicking, hiking, bird watching, fishing, and hunting opportunities. The acreage was one part of the "military tract" of western Illinois, which was set aside as payment to military veterans. In 1852 by George Meyers acquired land in the area for his service in the Black Hawk and Mexican wars. After the Civil War Reverend Reuben K. McCoy discovered the springs which were reputed to have a medicinal effect and were given the name Siloam Springs after a spring of the same name in the Old Testament. When Meyers died in 1882 at the age of 102 the land was acquired by Quincy Burgesser, a local businessman and stock dealer, who had become aware of the springs and their "curative value." He had the water analyzed and discovered it had more "strength" (a higher mineral content) than water from the more famous springs in Eureka, Arkansas and Waukesha, Wisconsin. Burgesser touted the water's ability to cure almost all ailments and by 1884 he had erected two spring houses, a bathing house, and the Siloam Forest Home Hotel. The area became a popular and fashionable resort. Water from the No. 2 spring was bottled and distributed as far west as Kansas City and bottling became a flourishing business for several decades. In 1935, the Siloam Springs Recreation Club purchased the site in an effort to restore it and provide a place of recreation for the local population. Citizens of Adams and Brown counties raised money to match state funds and by 1940 an agreement was reached to make it a state recreation area. Eventually, the old hotel and bath houses were torn down, the swimming pool abandoned and the springs no longer were used. The No. 2 spring house was rebuilt in 1995 and contains the most popular spring. In 1954 and 1955, an earthen dam was constructed across a deep ravine and the 58-acre lake was created. In 1956 Siloam Springs was dedicated as a state park, and efforts began to develop its recreational facilities.
Siloam Springs State Park offers a wide variety of recreational
options. The Old Siloam picnic area provides visitors with four
shelters, charcoal grills, rest rooms, shaded tables and playground
equipment. In addition, there are several other smaller areas
scattered along the park entrance road providing tables and grills.
The 58-acre Crabapple Lake is stocked with largemouth bass,
bluegill, redear and green sunfish, carp, crappie, channel catfish
and rainbow trout. Row boats, canoes and paddle boats may be rented
at the concessions stand on a seasonal basis, and there is a
launching ramp for private craft. Only electric motors are allowed,
no outboards. There are about 12 miles of scenic hiking trails that
go from valleys to flatlands throughout the park, including a
combination 6-mile hiking and backpacking trail. Most trails are
easy, but Hoot Owl at 1.5 miles and Red Oak backpack trail at 4
miles are moderate. Four primitive camp sites are also available for
those who wish to hike to them. There are 98 Class A camp sites
featuring rest rooms, showers and electricity and 84 Class B camp
sites featuring showers and rest rooms. There is a centrally located
shower facility available to all campers. The park contains
equestrian trails totaling 23 miles, covering ridgetops and steep
wooded valleys. There is a separate camping area for riders and
their mounts, with water and limited electricity. Horse rentals are
not available. Winter activities include ice skating, ice fishing,
cross-country skiing and sledding.
Visiting Siloam Springs State Park
Siloam Springs State Park - Official site of Siloam Springs State Park
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