In 1895, a man named Adam Channing hand-dug a well and got a little more than he bargained for. Channing unknowingly launched an artesian aquifer. It’s still flowing today, producing water that is not only refreshing but is also rumored to offer some unique health benefits that could roll back the clock. Is this the fabled Fountain of Youth, hiding in plain sight in Wisconsin? Or is it simply a roadside park with free water? Read on about the Clover Valley Artesian Well and be the judge.
The Clover Valley Artesian Well is located in a picturesque park that’s maintained by the Town of Whitewater. It’s about four miles from Whitewater in an area of tree-dotted farmland. Kettle Moraine State Forest is just east of the well and is a favorite destination for campers and hikers.
When Adam Channing dug the well back in the 1800s, he used his hands and a trowel. When he reached a depth of 55 feet, he hit the water table, and everything changed. The water he reached was under immense pressure, so it immediately began bubbling to the surface.
After 125 years, the water is still flowing! The water is fresh, clean, and completely unprocessed: a bountiful gift from Mother Nature. It’s believed that there are health benefits too, including reducing acidity and free radical damage in the body. Could a glass of this water be the first step toward a longer life?
Whether or not drinking this refreshing water can extend anyone’s life remains to be proven, but regardless, the water tastes great. People arrive with jugs and bottles to take some of this magical water home.
The landscape surrounding the Clover Valley Artesian Well is flat and open, and there are benches and tables nearby where you can picnic beneath the red oak trees with your freshly collected spring water.
If you think bottling up some artesian spring water from this historic well in Wisconsin might not be reason enough to take a road trip, the countryside around the well is incredibly beautiful. You can work up a big thirst by drinking in this Wisconsin scenery!
There’s no charge or admission to visit the park. The site is well-marked, but it’s located on a back country road, so the directions found here will be helpful to get you to the right spot.
Have you visited this flowing well in Whitewater, Wisconsin? Is the water as refreshing as it sounds? If so, we'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.
Once you’ve quenched your thirst in Whitewater, here’s another remote and beautiful destination in Wisconsin that's just waiting to be discovered.
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