If drinking water from a mystical source could reverse the aging process, wouldn’t that be nice? Some people think it already exists.
While many different countries have their own myths about the fabled water source, the precise location of the “fountain of youth”—a legendary water spring that is said to grant eternal youth to anybody who drinks from it—has never been established.
Most Famous “Fountain of Youth” Legends are Connected with Florida
The most well-known connection to this fabled spring of water, according to the Fountain of Youth Florida website, is the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León, who is said to have looked for it in what is now Florida, USA, in the early 16th century.
Ponce de Le n’s true motivation for exploring Florida was probably related to increasing his money and territory, and this story is usually regarded as a fable.
“Holy Water” Coming from Hand Pump in Illinois Forest Preserve?
If you’re wondering why there’s a line of people in an Illinois forest preserve waiting to collect free water from a hand pump, it’s because some people think drinking it will help them.
Furthermore, this water source has long been known for its purported therapeutic qualities.
According to Wikipedia, the Schiller Woods Forest Preserve constructed a public water pump in 1945. By 1957, the water supply had become so well-liked that the park superintendent would be notified within an hour if the handle broke.
Despite being installed almost 80 years ago, the “Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump” is still a popular destination, particularly for local Catholics who “believe that the pump was blessed by Pope John Paul II when he visited Chicago in 1979,” though Wikipedia claims there is no evidence that any pope has ever been there.
Is Hand Pump Water Safe to Drink in Illinois?
Although the water at the pump is untreated and comes from a natural aquifer that is between 31 and 85 feet deep, officials at the forest preserve regularly test it to ensure that it is safe to drink.
“Compared to Chicago tap water, it has less copper and scant iron, with slightly higherpHand high levels ofdissolved minerals,” says Wikipedia.
An similar hand pump that uses the same aquifer is located directly across the street, although it is never used as frequently as the “magic water” pump.
