History
Peoria's Mineral Springs is located on a site on the hillside of Peoria's Historic West Bluff. The cave-like barrel-vaulted brick reservoir, built about 1843, is concealed in the gentle slope of the hillside. The reservoir, built for Peoria's first water company, captures the flow of three individual springs. Since approx 14,500 years ago when the last vestiges of the great ice sheets still lingered in Northeastern Illinois, a perpetual spring has been flowing at this site. In 1843, five of the founding fathers of the city of Peoria Charles Oakley, Norman Purple, William Moss, Augustus O. Garrett and Lester O. Hurlbert were granted a charter by Illinois Governor, Thomas Ford, to establish the first water supply for the City of Peoria. A cave-like brick reservoir was built into the hillside to contain the three springs at the source and pipes were laid to carry the water as far as Hancock Street, about two miles away. The springs were the primary water source for the City of Peoria for
Specialties
Historical Landmark -Peoria Mineral Springs has been in existence some 14,500 years and is this area's last link with prehistoric water sources. Located on Peoria's historic West Bluff, the springs were the primary source for the first water supply for the City of Peoria. Governor Thomas Ford granted a charter February 20, 1843 for the establishment of this water supply. A reservoir was then built to contain the springs and pipers were laid to carry the water approximately two miles. At this time, Zealy Moss, Revolutionary War soldier, prominent citizen and owner of the property, built a home for himself on the property. The springs are still free flowing today.