(PL-30) Kinmundy Zoological Garden (photo taken Oct. 1909)

(PL-31) Kinmundy Zoological Garden

(PL-40) Snyder Springs (located in Kinmundy Township, Sec 12, north of Route 37) ["Schneider Springs"]

On page 30 of the Kinmundy Centennial book:  “Snyder Springs was the favorite place for Sunday School picnics for many years. 

The trip was made on a hay wagon or in your buggy or surrey.  A trolley ride which stretched from the grove down to the springs

below was the favorite amusement.  A pulley wheel, with a cross bar to hold on to traveled on the wire,

you hung on and whizzed through space to the bottom of the hill.”

(PL-41) Snyder Springs

(PL-42) Snyder Springs

                        FS-1 Herman Schneider, Sr and Lena (Knauer) Schneider                                                                                                            FS-2 Schneider Home

Christian Schneider was born March 29, 1815 in Gradshaw, West Germany.  He died December 1, 1876, and is buried in the St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery.  In 1839, he married in Prussia to Rosalie Beata Walcholz.  She was born March 17, 1821 in West Germany and died March 1909.  She is buried in Farina Cemetery.   Their children were Herman, Julius, Emil, Heneritta, Alwine, and Wilhelm Henry.  Christian Schneider and his family settled in Staunton, Ill., where Wilhelm was born.  Wilhelm was 9 years old when his parents moved to the St. Peter area.  Their first night in Fayette county was spent in a two story brick house on Rt. 40, east of Bluff City.  Christian owned land in Macoupin and Fayette County.  Christian and Rosalie’s first son, Herman Julius Frederick Schneider, was born Sept. 9, 1855 in Pantau Co., West Prussia, Saaben, Germany.  In 1862, he came to America with his parents.  He was confirmed Apr. 10, 1870 in the Evangelical Church. 

Herman Schneider and his family later moved to Fayette Co. in 1876.  In Oct. 10, 1878, he married Lena Knauer in Lone Grove twp.  They lived where Glenn and Mae Sigrist once lived, which was just across the Fayette Co. line  Herman Jr. was born here and they later moved to the large home north of Kinmudy where they finished building the inside of the house.  This is the location of the famous SCHNEIDER SPRINGS that Herman and Lena developed where people came from churches and around for their Sunday picnic.

                Herman and Lena had 5 children to die from T.B. within a five year period. Herman died from apoloxy at the age of 74.  Funeral services were held at the Evangelical Church in Farina, Illinois.  Their children: Herman Wilhelm Emil Schneider, Matilda Alwine Emma, William Henry, Ida Emilie, Bertha Rosa, Minnie E., Adolph J., Lena Louise Maria, Emma Rosalia Caroline and Freida.  On Dec. 5, 1878, Herman bought land from William and Harriet Neeper from Maxon Co., Kentucky for the sum of $560.  On Feb. 15, 1879, they bought 160 acres from William and Harriet Neeper from Kentucky, for the same amount of $560.  Herman purchased 85 acres for $2000 on Jan. 27, 1883 from Thomas and Mary Meagher from Centralia, Illinois.  Herman lived at a Kinmundy address at this time.  They were from Fayette county when they made the first two purchases.

                By the early 1930’s, the springs area was no longer used for picnics.  This particular piece of land later belonged to Herman Jr. and Lillie Mae Barbee Schneider.  However, they did not live at the same location as the parents.  Herman and Lillie lived along R. 37 all their married lives.

                Herman and Lillie’s son Merle owned and raised cattle on this homestead until his death on Oct. 31, 1992.

Herman and Lillie’s children: Clarence Herman,  Naomi Tillie Lena;   Hilda Emma Marie;   Edna Mae Alvina;   Merle Willis;  Ervin Henry;  Dorothy Alice Frieda; Betty Jean Ella Mae;  Arlene Lillie Rose

(Information and family photos provided by Rena (Crain) O'Dell)

                                    Stephen A. Forbes State Park

(PL-50) Stephen A. Forbes State Park located near Omega, Illinois - early arial photo

(PL-51) Stephen A. Forbes State Park located near Omega, Illinois - later arial photo

(PL-52) Stephen A. Forbes State Park boat dock - ca 1960's

PL-52) Stephen A. Forbes State Park boat launch - ca 1960's

(PL-53) Stephen A. Forbes State Park boat dock - ca 1960's

(PL-54) "3,019 acre Forbes State Park and it's mushrooms coming alive"

Park Ranger Fred Miselbrook, at left, stands near a plot of ground devoted to native prairie grasses at Stephen A. Forbes State Park.  Many state parks

have such plots which require periodic burning as part of their maintenance.  The native prairie grasses are burned off every two to four years in order to

duplicate the fires on the original prairie which were started by lightening.  Fires on the original prairie prevented any trees and such from establishing themselves

through the vast prairies that once existed over the flatlands of central Illinois where today the farm's plow has exposed the black earth.  Miselbrook said studies

have shown that the prairie grasses are quite fragile and cannot sustain themselves if cultivated or even grazed upon with any intensity.  The map pictured at the

right is located outside the park ranger's office.  It locates some of the many public offerings the park has awaiting visitors.  Camping, fishing, boating, mushroom

hunting, and many other activities are available to park visitors.  The park is located just 14 miles northeast of Salem and is named in honor of a gifted Illinois

scientist who lived in the late 1800's and early 1900's.

(PL-56) Dwight Ingram and Leslie Eblin

(PL-57) Stephen A. Forbes State Park entry sign

(PL-58) Constructing the beach at Forbes State Park

(PL-59) Constructing the beach at Forbes State Park

(PL-60) Forbes State Park beach - and looking toward the dam

(PL -61) Fishermen at Forbes State Park

(PL-62) Forbes State Park restaurant 'The Leaky Bucket"