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Bourbon Spring Historic Site: Riverside's Liquid Legacy

Discover the story of a spring, a militia, and a bourbon-infused celebration in Riverside, Illinois.

Bourbon Spring Historic Site marks the location of a natural spring that played a significant role in Riverside, Illinois' early history. It's named for an event in 1834 when local militia celebrated an election by mixing a bourbon-barrel punch in the spring. Today, a concrete cistern and bronze plaque commemorate the site's historical importance.

A brief summary to Bourbon Spring Historic Site

  • 141-133 Barrypoint Rd, Riverside, Illinois, 60546, US
Eve
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Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Bourbon Spring Historic Site.

  • Visit the nearby Quincy Street Distillery to sample their Bourbon Spring® whiskey, inspired by the historic site.
  • Take the WPA-built 20-step stairway down from Barrypoint Road for a slightly more historic approach to the monument.
  • Explore Scottswood Common, named after General Winfield Scott, located near the Bourbon Spring Historic Site.

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Getting There

  • Walking

    Bourbon Spring Historic Site is located in Swan Pond Park, near the intersection of Barrypoint Rd and Bloomingbank Rd in Riverside. From the intersection, walk northeast into the park. The monument is located about 20 feet below street level, near the pathway that runs through the east end of the park. Follow the short limestone wall to find the WPA-constructed steps leading down to the site.

  • Public Transport

    The Metra BNSF Railway line stops at the Riverside station. From the station, head north on Forest Ave, then turn right onto E Quincy St. Turn left onto Barrypoint Rd, and continue to the intersection with Bloomingbank Rd. The site is located in Swan Pond Park, on the northeast corner of this intersection. Metra train fare from Chicago to Riverside ranges from $2 to $6.

  • Ride Share

    From anywhere in Riverside, a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft can provide direct transport to the Bourbon Spring Historic Site. Input the address '141-133 Barrypoint Rd, Riverside, IL 60546' as the destination. The drop-off point is near the intersection of Barrypoint Rd and Bloomingbank Rd, giving you easy access to the park. A short trip within Riverside typically costs around $9.

Discover more about Bourbon Spring Historic Site

Bourbon Spring Historic Site, located in Riverside, Illinois, commemorates a natural spring that has a unique story tied to the early days of Cook County. The spring's name originates from an event in 1834. Following the election of Jean Baptiste Beaubien as the first colonel of the Cook County Militia, the newly formed militia celebrated by mixing a punch made with bourbon in a nearby barrel, which they then placed in the spring to keep it cool. From that day forward, the spring became known as Bourbon Spring.Before Riverside was established in 1869, the area held strategic importance. In 1832, during the Black Hawk War, General Winfield Scott assembled his troops near the spring, taking advantage of its water source. A tavern, established in 1827 by the Laughton brothers, was also nearby, making the area a popular stopping point for travelers. The spring even played host to Daniel Webster in 1837 when a Chicago delegation met him there.Today, the actual spring is covered by a concrete cistern, and a bronze plaque affixed to it tells the story of the spring's history. The site is located near the intersection of Barrypoint and Bloomingbank Roads, in the northeast corner of Swan Pond Park. While a portion of the monument has been damaged by vandals over the years, it still stands as a reminder of the area's vibrant past.

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