A Day at the Spring Grove Fish Hatchery

One man was there because he was afraid there wouldn't be many people there.

Another woman remembered seeing them "Fish Squeezin'".

Small cups of Goldfish crackers were being given out. I thought that was a nice touch.

I was there because even though I have now lived nearly 15 years in Spring Grove, and have the property taxes to show for it, I have never toured the actual grounds of the fish hatchery. I read at the website of the new and very popular effort by American Express Partners in Preservation and the National Trust for Historic Preservation to give away $1 million to projects in the Chicagoland area.

The Spring Grove Fish Hatchery was the state's first functioning hatchery, built in the early 1900s. Fish from here helped stock Illinois rivers and lakes as far south as Springfield and east to Lake Michigan. Lack of funding forced its closing several years ago.

The Village of Spring Grove hopes to turn this into a park for everyone to enjoy. No plans are for reinstating the fish hatching, however.

Today, the holding ponds are overgrown and it appears some of the grounds were also overgrown judging from the thick stalks of the freshly cut grass.

It will by a beautiful spot to visit when funds are acquired to accomplish it. The main house was built in 1913 and still stands, but is in need of restoration after all these years. There are still troughs and other machinery for the newly hatched fish downstairs and, evidently. the pumps still work.

The Chicagoland site with the most votes will receive the full amount of their request and the rest of the million dollars will be doled out to the others. Right now, the Leong Merchant Building in Chicago's Chinatown is in first with 14% of the vote. The Spring Grove Fish Hatchery is in 19th place with 2%. We need your help!!! Please vote every day until October 10th.

As far as the man worrying about attendance, he didn't have to worry. Parking was at a premium and lots of people were touring the house and grounds.

The woman with the "fish squeezing" was referring to the method for getting the eggs out of the female fish. Very high tech, indeed.

You can vote at http://www.partnersinpreservation.com/

Get Out There and Vote and Vote Some More. --RoadDog