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French Lick Springs Hotel Reopening


roadmaven
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After being closed for over a year for renovations, the French Lick Springs Resort Hotel is set to reopen, this time with a casino on the grounds. Since Indiana's backwards gaming laws force casinos to be "in water", a large pond had to be built so the "riverboat" casino could be built. As you can see by the picture in this New York Time article, the boat's not going far. Regardless, this should revitalize Indiana's poorest county. Also, look for French Lick Springs' next door neighbor, the West Baden Springs Hotel, to welcome guests in the future. And please remember: Gamble responsibly....it increases your odds. ;)

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  • 5 months later...

Just bringing this topic back up to date. The West Baden Springs will re-open this coming June. There's a nice story on a local TV station about the progress. As someone who saw this place in 1986 as a rundown shell of its former self, all I can say is that the one time "8th Wonder of the World" ranks right up there as the save of the century....as their video they sell would attest!

 

West Baden Springs

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The pictures of both have always been intriguing. Another file to start for a future trip. I will need to live a long time to visit all of my projected trips...

 

Thanks for the heads up.

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  • 1 month later...

Sure was...that was the only reason I recognized the name French Lick. Always wondered what their High School Mascot would have been...

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Wasn't Larry Bird from French Lick?

 

Here's a cool shot of the garage at the house where he grew up: Larry Legend

 

As for that nickname, well, he didn't attend "French Lick High" (since it didn't exist), but as a Blackhawk at Springs Valley High is where he earned a basketball scholarship to play for Bob Knight at Indiana, only to drop out less than two months later to transfer to Indiana State. The rest, as they say, is histree! :bowdown2:

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Always wondered what their High School Mascot would have been...

They say that the most common excuses for getting lost in Indiana are that South Bend is in the north, North Bend is in the south, and French Lick ain't nothing like it sounds.

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They say that the most common excuses for getting lost in Indiana are that South Bend is in the north, North Bend is in the south, and French Lick ain't nothing like it sounds.

 

I imagine there is a book somewhere that uses the name French Lick in its many possible contexts, and your observations have only whetted my appetite for more.! But before Mom and Dad step in here and remind me of the rules, I want to add an item that might be of interest.

 

Is this the French Lick Hotel of which you speak, and who or what is Pluto?

 

ARFrenchLick.jpg

 

This comes from a 1913 Automobile Blue Book. The numbers on the map are route numbers, not mileage. On request I will scan the detailed route descriptions, if anyone wants one or more.

 

Keep the Show on the Road!

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Is this the French Lick Hotel of which you speak, and who or what is Pluto?

 

That is the place! "Pluto" was the, for a better word, mascot at French Lick Springs. The Valley was known for its sulphur springs, many of which were on the grounds of the French Lick and West Baden Hotels. People drove for hundreds of miles to drink "Pluto Water", which was believed to "cure what ailed ya". There was a rail line from Chicago that dropped off guests daily.....Al Capone being one its more notable guests. The springs are now capped off, but some of the limestone gazebos that were around the various springs are still there, and the smell of the sulphur is very prevelent.

 

Both the FL and the WB Hotels are worth touring. Now that the WB has reopened, I believe tours are scaled back. However, if any of you can get your hands on their video "Save of the Century", it is not only fascinating, but gives inspiration to those of us like minded preservationists. If the WB can be brought back to life, anything can. Me thinks our next American Road forum gathering (midwest region!) might have to be at French Lick/West Baden. Not only are the hotels there, but the Indiana Railway Museum has a nice train riide that takes you through a 1500 foot tunnel.

 

Anyone interested??

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Here's a cool shot of the garage at the house where he grew up: Larry Legend

 

As for that nickname, well, he didn't attend "French Lick High" (since it didn't exist), but as a Blackhawk at Springs Valley High is where he earned a basketball scholarship to play for Bob Knight at Indiana, only to drop out less than two months later to transfer to Indiana State. The rest, as they say, is histree! :bowdown2:

 

 

Where thousands of shots were launched on that backboard. Where is the hoop? In a museum, or some fan's basement?

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[ Me thinks our next American Road forum gathering (midwest region!) might have to be at French Lick/West Baden. Not only are the hotels there, but the Indiana Railway Museum has a nice train riide that takes you through a 1500 foot tunnel.

 

Anyone interested??

 

 

If next spring's AM cruise is to this area, count us in......Bliss

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  • 3 months later...
[ Me thinks our next American Road forum gathering (midwest region!) might have to be at French Lick/West Baden. Not only are the hotels there, but the Indiana Railway Museum has a nice train riide that takes you through a 1500 foot tunnel.

 

Anyone interested??

If next spring's AM cruise is to this area, count us in......Bliss

 

 

GREAT idea! :D

Becky

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Me thinks our next American Road forum gathering (midwest region!) might have to be at French Lick/West Baden. Not only are the hotels there, but the Indiana Railway Museum has a nice train riide that takes you through a 1500 foot tunnel.

 

Anyone interested??

 

 

Have dates been established? I know we have already booked one vacation in March, and another in May, so timing would be a major factor in deciding...

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Me thinks our next American Road forum gathering (midwest region!) might have to be at French Lick/West Baden. Not only are the hotels there, but the Indiana Railway Museum has a nice train riide that takes you through a 1500 foot tunnel.

 

Count us in, too, depending on actual dates.

 

We're already planning a trip down the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Planning ... yeah, that's a good one. Actually, the better half said she wanted to see the B.B. King concert at French Lick that day; that I was to order tickets and that I would be taking her. There wasn't any planning to it. I just follow orders. :D

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