It's always fun walking the hotels and grounds here, knowing that guests before us did the same 100 years ago — even as far back as 175 years ago when the first French Lick Springs Hotel was established. Some of the resort's classic features have been lost to time. But thanks to our photo archives, we can still take a little time-travel tour and get a feel for how folks lived the resort life in days gone by.
This is a good place to start. Anyone remember this beauty? The domed swimming pool was a staple at French Lick Springs Hotel for four decades. Built in 1965 and removed during the hotel's restoration era, the year-round pool could be closed in the winter months and opened in the summer.
And did you know there was once a pool on the front lawn of the hotel, too? The cabana pool, as it was known, existed during the Sheraton Corporation era in the 1960s through the mid-1970s. (Aerial view of the pool below.)
The Convention Hall, also known as the Grand Colonnade Ballroom, existed from the 1920s to the 1990s at French Lick Springs Hotel. It was used for a variety of events including meetings, conferences, banquets and other special events. This space is now The Grand Colonnade Restaurant.
A gentleman poses in front of the West Baden Springs Hotel Opera House around 1915. Built in 1892, the opera house was located in what is now the formal garÂdens — specifically, where the fountain sits today. With more than 700 seats, the theater hosted vaudeville acts, light comedy shows, dramatic plays, convention meetings and even boxing matches. A devastating fire in February 1917 destroyed the opera house, five other wooden buildings and the covered elevated walkway connecting those buildings to the hotel. Fortunately, fire crews were able to prevent the fire from reaching the hotel.
This is the Lithia Spring at French Lick Springs Hotel, and though it still exists today, it looks quite a bit different compared to this ornate area with steps, benches and walkways. The hotel's only freshwater spring, Lithia was used until the 1930s. The stream, stone steps and spring basin still exist today and are located in the gardens near the Pluto Spring House. Look closely in this photo from the 1910s, and you can see gentlemen drinking from the spring using dipper sticks holding glasses.
The seal fountain, nicknamed thanks to its unique seal centerpiece, was originally located in the center of the West Baden Springs Hotel atrium before being relocated outdoors and used as a roundabout in the brick road. The seal centerpiece was lost over time, and it remains a mystery what exactly happened to it. The good news is that the fountain remains here today, repurposed as a flowerbed displaying colorful flowers throughout the year.
The resort once featured a Skeet & Trap Club, located behind French Lick Springs Hotel. These photos are from the 1940s. The Skeet & Trap Club eventually ceased operations as the French Lick Villas are located in this area today, though sport shooting has returned as an option during your stay as our new sporting clays range opened to guests in 2020.
This is a postcard image of the two-level, wooden bicycle track that once stood east of West Baden Springs Hotel. Built in 1896, the structure was one-third of a mile around and had a baseball diamond and three tennis courts inside. The lower level was used for horse carts and pony rides. The second level was used by cyclists, and in the afternoon guests walked the promenade.
Postcard image of a sun parlor sitting area located in the Spring Wing of French Lick Springs Hotel. This area conÂnected the original main wing to the angled deluxe addition which was constructed in 1915. Seems like the ideal spot to relax the day away.
More interior photos of French Lick Springs Hotel from its Sheraton-owned days, including an elegant hallway and a guestroom. (Interior design has come quite a ways in the last 50 years...)
It would have been amazing to see the original spring houses at the hotels more than a century ago. The Bowles Spring House existed at French Lick Springs Hotel from the 1880s through the 1920s and was named after Dr. William A. Bowles, founder of the first hotel in French Lick built in 1845.
Postcard depiction of the natatorium at West Baden Springs Hotel after it was newly built in 1901-02. This building was removed in June 1923 because of structural problems. But the pool remained and became an outdoor pool.
You might recognize the building in the background. It's the Monon Railroad Depot (which still stands today), and the former "Lower Course" once existed in close proximity to the depot and the nearby French Lick Springs Hotel. In this photo from the 1920s, golfers are navigating the 17th green. The course was shortÂened to nine holes during the renovation and is now Valley Links Course.
