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Weldon Springs State Park facts for kids

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Weldon Springs State Park
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
Weldon Springs State Park is located in Illinois
Weldon Springs State Park
Weldon Springs State Park
Location in Illinois
Location DeWitt County, Illinois, USA
Nearest city Clinton, Illinois
Area 550 acres (220 ha)
Governing body Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Weldon Springs State Park is a cool place to visit near Clinton, Illinois. It's a big state park that covers about 550 acres (223 hectares). The park is built around Salt Creek and a special lake called Weldon Spring Lake. This lake was made by damming a smaller stream, also called Weldon Springs. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources takes care of this park.

The Amazing Geology of Weldon Springs

Weldon Springs is a very special spring in the flat area of central Illinois. A spring is a place where water flows naturally out of the ground. This spring reminds us of a giant, ancient river valley, called the Teays River, that was once as big as the Mississippi River.

During the Ice Age, thick layers of dirt and rocks called glacial till covered this old river valley. But even today, water flowing underground is pushed to the surface by these buried features. This is how Weldon Springs was formed! It became a wetland where you can even find bald cypress trees. These trees are usually found much farther south, making them a unique sight in Illinois.

Weldon Springs Through the Years

In the 1800s, Weldon Springs was a favorite fishing spot for Judge Lawrence Weldon, a well-known local person. In 1900, Judge Weldon rented the springs to a company that wanted to turn it into a special gathering place. They raised money to create a Chautauqua.

From 1901 to 1921, Weldon Springs was a famous stop on the Chautauqua circuit. A Chautauqua was like a traveling festival with speakers and entertainers. For ten days each year, famous people would come to the park's outdoor stage. Important national leaders like William Jennings Bryan, Helen Keller, Carrie Nation, Rev. Billy Sunday, and even President William Howard Taft visited Weldon Springs.

As more people got cars and movies became popular, the Chautauqua events slowly stopped in the early 1920s. In 1936, the Weldon family gave the springs to the town of Clinton. Then, in 1948, it became a state park. Today, it's the main part of Weldon Springs State Recreation Area.

Exploring Weldon Springs Today

Did you know that a historic schoolhouse is part of the park? In the 1860s, a one-room school called the Union School was built in nearby Logan County. It was named "Union" because Illinois supported the Union during the American Civil War. Around 1950, the school closed, and the building was moved to Weldon Springs. Now, it's the park's museum and visitor center!

From the Union School, you can explore over 7 miles (11 km) of trails. Hikers can see some of the biggest trees in the Salt Creek area, including the largest tree in the park, a huge silver maple. The 1.3-mile (2.1 km) Schoolhouse Trail leads to a restored tallgrass prairie. This prairie is home to more than 30 different kinds of butterflies. Over 80 birdhouses are also kept here to provide homes for bluebirds.

Weldon Spring Lake is a great spot for fishing. The lake is filled by springs and is managed for fish like largemouth bass and channel catfish. You can also find other smaller fish called panfish. To keep the lake peaceful, only electric motors are allowed on boats; gasoline-powered motors are not permitted.

The park still uses the campgrounds and outdoor stages that were part of the Chautauqua days. These areas are ready for visitors to enjoy today.

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