West Baden Springs Hotel-Eighth Wonder World: "West Baden Springs Hotel in Southern Indiana is anything but ordinaryit is an extraordinary experience. You will be captivated and stand...

SHOOTR Loc: Hoosier State

"West Baden Springs Hotel in Southern Indiana is anything but ordinaryit is an extraordinary experience. You will be captivated and stand in awe once you step foot inside this National Historic Landmark (NHL) built in 1902. With its one-of-a-kind domed atrium spanning 200 feet, it has been called the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Rooms rise in six tiers around the dome, and balcony rooms provide a panoramic view of the atrium". The history of the hotel is complex. The town of French Lick, next door also has a National Landmarks Hotel and a modern casino. French Lick is the hometown of NBA and Boston Celtics all star, Larry Bird. Although not easy to get there, a visit to this area is an experience.

AK Dreamer Loc: Alaska & Nevada

This is truly a magnificent structure. My grandmother was born and raised in French Lick and her father (my great grandfather) had a haberdashery (sp?) in the hotel. My grandmother and her sister used to pick the flowers off the hotel's property and sell to the hotel's visitors until she was caught by her father. A train used to bring people (shady types and others) from Chicago to stay at the West Baden. Thanks for posting the photos and allowing me to recall a couple of family stories.

SHOOTR Loc: Hoosier State

AK Dreamer wrote:

This is truly a magnificent structure. My grandmother was born and raised in French Lick and her father (my great grandfather) had a haberdashery (sp?) in the hotel. My grandmother and her sister used to pick the flowers off the hotel's property and sell to the hotel's visitors until she was caught by her father. A train used to bring people (shady types and others) from Chicago to stay at the West Baden. Thanks for posting the photos and allowing me to recall a couple of family stories.

Most welcome! Lots info if you Google the West Baden Springs Hotel.

daledo Loc: Billings, MT

Wow.

SHOOTR Loc: Hoosier State

daledo wrote:

Wow.

Quite a history to this place.

tlbuljac Loc: Oklahoma

Great photos...I've been to French Lick but it was before the casino..have yet to take in West Baden..maybe someday

Namwife Loc: Midwest

Awesome photos...I've been to West Baden ..I was there before they began remodeling to save it..I'm so glad they did ..there is a lot of history there and it is quite a spectacular place...Thanx so much for sharing, makes me want to go back and see it again.....

affleckgray Loc: Eatontown, NJ

Dear SHOOTR,
Now that is one hell of a hotel lobby, and very well photographed as well. I especially like the overhead and on-the-level shots. (The ones with sharply converging lines are too much.)

A strikingly similar lobby can be seen at the Palace Hotel in Madrid, built about 1912.

I have been to French Lick as a kid growing up in Indiana, but I don't remember this place. I have stuck it on to my "maybe" list. Thanks for bringing it to us.

Again, an excellent job with the pictures.

Michael

SHOOTR Loc: Hoosier State

affleckgray wrote:

Dear SHOOTR, br Now that is one hell of a hotel lo... (show quote)

Thanks! Hope your "maybe" list becomes a reality.

SusanW Loc: Huntington, Indiana

Beautiful photos! We toured the West Baden Hotel during their remodeling several years ago. We sat on the grounds and watched the helicopters put the domes on. That was an awesome experience.

SHOOTR Loc: Hoosier State

SusanW wrote:

Beautiful photos! We toured the West Baden Hotel during their remodeling several years ago. We sat on the grounds and watched the helicopters put the domes on. That was an awesome experience.

You should return and see it now. BEAUTIFUL!!