Long time lurker, not sure if anyone has covered the West Baden Springs Hotel before. Pictures really don't do this gem justice. West Baden is essentially French Lick Ind. There is also a Casino in the same complex.

The resort is world class and pricing is very reasonable. If you gamble, they comp very liberally.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

West Baden Springs Hotel Makes Conde Nast Traveler List

 

Read more at Suite101: West Baden Springs Hotel Makes Conde Nast Traveler List http://www.suite101.com/content/west-baden-springs-hotel-makes-conde-nast-traveler-list-a250474#ixzz1BJq5onoi

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Baden_Springs_Hotel

 

http://www.frenchlick.com/hotels/westBaden/index.jsp

 

Excellent photos, Kyle, and welcome to Urbanohio.com.

 

The restoration of that building is astonishing considering its size and the condition before work started. It had been abandoned for many years and the interior had been heavily vandalized. It was pretty much a ruin; a large part of the back wall had collapsed, and the four cupolas on the towers had been removed long ago when the building was used as a convent.

 

Local fundraising efforts to preserve the building never got up enough momentum to do anything. A massive injection of cash from the Cook Group, medical device supplier, was what it took to get the job done, and it was done better than I could ever have dreamed.

 

For those who don't know about the place, in the early 20th century French Lick was well known for its hot mineral springs that essentially were strong sulfur water. The famous and infamous came from great distances to rejuvenate themselves there, and the owners bottled the water and shipped it far and wide. To make sure that it was effective in restoring regularity, the bottled product was generously laced with epsom salts. The brand name, Pluto Water, evoked images of the lord of the underworld.

 

The French Lick Springs Hotel still maintains its pools of naturally-heated mineral spring water. The area surrounding them smells of sulfur (rotten eggs). The hotel still is maintained with elegance and is a popular conference venue. I'm told it offers very good golfing.

 

 

I've always wanted to check out this building just to see the huge interior.  One thing I don't like is the dome portion.  Its appearance seems a bit postmodern and out of place.

Rob is right about the restoration.  They did an excellent job.

 

I was fortunate to see the building back in the 1970s, when it was some sort of school.  They had the grounds and rotunda open to the public and it was quite impressive and a suprise, given how low-key and backwoods this part of Indiana is.

 

If I recall right a railroad museum used to run an excursion train here from French Lick?

I haven't been in years but it's an amazing site.

Thanks for the nice welcome Robert,

I usually visit 2-3 times a year.

and regarding more,

http://www.indianarailwaymuseum.org/

http://www.frenchlick.com/golf/  (3 Courses)

http://www.frenchlick.com/recreation/HikingandBiking/

http://www.michaelkoryta.com/so-cold-the-river.php (Fiction book, with some facts mixed in)

I've always wanted to check out this building just to see the huge interior.  One thing I don't like is the dome portion.  Its appearance seems a bit postmodern and out of place.

 

So far as I know, the dome is an authentic as-built restoration of what was built in 1902. It was the largest free-spanning dome in the world 1902 - 1913.

 

If I recall right a railroad museum used to run an excursion train here from French Lick?

 

There was a small antique trolley, the real kind that ran on tracks and drew power from an overhead wire, that ran back and forth between West Baden Springs and French Lick Springs Hotel, but I don't know if it still runs. I saw it on my most recent visit to the area in 2002. The excursion trains run from the station near the French Lick Springs Hotel to Cuzco and back, about a twenty-mile round trip. They once used a steam locomotive, but they're diesel-powered now.

I was fortunate to see the building back in the 1970s, when it was some sort of school.  They had the grounds and rotunda open to the public and it was quite impressive and a suprise, given how low-key and backwoods this part of Indiana is.

 

Ditto that!  I went there a couple times as a kid in the 70s as well and remember it being a school too with students hanging out in the open area.  We went back again about 6 years ago and checked it out as well.

This has to be the U.S. version of the spa/casino/springs at Weisbaden Germany, though it's not mentioned in the "History" section of their website. The Indiana one seems much larger, though.

french lick -- birthplace of larry bird!