Iron Spring Arbor, Washington Park

In October 2010 the Washington Park Iron Spring was reopened after months of reconstruction. The details about that are in the Springfield Journal Register story:

Reopened Iron Spring

The new Arbor is faithful to the original -- including the lampost. I wonder if the previous one was gas?

This postcard was mailed from Springfield in 1908. Below is the new Arbor.

Click on the arrow below to hear the spring!  Enlarging it will show even more detail!

While I was there several families came to see the Spring, even on a 90 degree day! They were not from this area of town. Aren't we lucky to have the Historic Park in our back yard?

Bungalow that belonged to Naturalist - Virginia Eifert

The home shown above was owned by the naturalist and bird lover Virginia Eifert. It is on the 700 block of West Vine. One of her books was published by the Illinois State Museum.

This home has wonderful bungalow elements. Ms. Eifert made some changes on the windows to bring in more light.

Washington Park Pavilion - A special bungalow!

These images show the bungalow architecture of the Washington Park Pavilion!

The top postcard contains this message handwritten on the front:
"Remember the afternoon we all spent here!"

Many residents of the West Side Neighborhood Association are active visitors to our wonderful Washington Park and its bungalow inspired pavilion. The Springfield Park district says this about the Pavilion:

"The Washington Park Pavilion was built around 1900 as an elegant cobble stone event lodge complete with a grand ballroom, kitchen and dining room. Originally, there was an oval balcony upstairs that overlooked the ballroom complete with finished wood railings and beautiful wood floors. The two story pavilion has an open, oversized portico with a scenic view of the duck pond."

The Irons Spring is going to be restored: Click on the link below to read the story in the State Journal Register-

Restoration of Washington Park Iron Spring