"The Eighth Wonder of the World"

Several months ago, I saw an article on things to do and see in Indiana. I read it because we travel to this state at least twice a year and are always looking for fun things to do. One of the features was the French Lick Springs Resort. As I read, I became increasingly fascinated with the place's history and knew it would need to be included in an upcoming itinerary.  This Christmas trip was the perfect time; however, I also hoped for a large snow-covering to add to the ambiance.  That didn't happen but it was a memorable trip nonetheless.  Let me share it with you.

We allowed two days to travel from Plano, TX which was a great idea due to the horrific storms we encountered on both Sunday and Monday, plus the distance.  I had made dinner reservations at the Ballard Grill inside the West Baden Hotel Atrium for Tuesday night and we barely arrived in time to freshen up before dinner.  I was not disappointed with anything about this trip.

The Christmas lights took us back to the heyday of the early 1900s when this place was one of the most sought-after resorts in the country.  The history of this area is so fascinating and I will try not to bore you with too much detail.  Back in the early 1900s the small towns of French Lick and West Baden became a famed vacation and gathering place for wealthy and prominent society members.

In 1845, the French Lick Springs Hotel was built and drew guests from as far as 100 miles away to partake of the “miracle waters” from the sulfur springs that naturally surfaced in the area. 

In 1901, the French Lick Springs Hotel rose to international prominence after Indianapolis Mayor Tom Taggart purchased the property. He expanded the hotel, added luxurious furnishings and marble floors, designed two championship golf courses, and started bottling Pluto Water for national sale.

As part of Taggart's updates and expansion, more than $230,000 worth of gold leafing was used on interior surfaces throughout the resort, most notably within the French Lick Springs Hotel lobby.  It was truly a very luxurious entry.

During this time, Mr. Taggart became the Democratic National Chairman and French Lick Springs Hotel became the unofficial headquarters for the Democratic National Party. During the National Governor’s Conference at French Lick in 1931, Franklin Delano Roosevelt rounded up support for the party’s presidential nomination; a year later he became the official Democratic candidate and won the presidency in 1932.  As a result of this political connection, many prominent Hollywood stars and national leaders were seen regularly at the hotel.  It is still known for its fabulous spa and golf course.

In 1850, another doctor named John Lane saw the success of French Lick Springs Hotel and decided to build his own health resort just one mile up the road naming it Mile Lick Inn. He later changed the name of the hotel, and the town, to West Baden Springs after the famous mineral springs in Wiesbaden, Germany. 

Lee W. Sinclair transformed West Baden Springs Hotel into a sophisticated resort when he assumed ownership in 1888. After a fire ravaged the hotel in 1901, Sinclair used the opportunity to further transform West Baden Springs Hotel into a world-class facility. With a $414,000 budget and a one-year timeline, Sinclair erected a hotel modeled after the grandest spas of Europe, complete with the world’s largest free-span dome, which stretched 200 feet. Dubbed the "Eighth Wonder of the World," the hotel was a haven for celebrities and political figures.

While French Lick Springs Hotel remained a functioning resort over the next 100 years, the same could not be said for West Baden Springs Hotel. In 1923, the property was purchased by Ed Ballard and it became a gambling center.  In 1934, following the stock market crash of 1929, the hotel was sold to the Society of Jesus for $1. The Jesuits removed many of the building’s elegant appointments and operated it as a seminary for 30 years. Northwood College was the next tenant, from 1967 to 1983, and then the magnificent building sat unoccupied for 13 years.  In 1974 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and in 1987 earned the designation as a National Historic Landmark. 

When a 180-foot, six-story section of West Baden Springs Hotel collapsed in 1991, it crumbled further from its glory days. The once-lavish hotel was reduced to a pile of rubble. It now had a not-so-prestigious place on the National Trust’s list of 11 Most Endangered Historic Properties in the United States.

Luckily for the withering structure, help was nearby. Indiana Landmarks, the largest nonprofit preservation group in the nation, partnered with philanthropists Bill and Gayle Cook to make a permanent, positive impact on both the hotel and the depressed region around it. Through an anonymous contribution, it was purchased in 1996 for $250,000.

French Lick Resort was the ideal target. This multi-million dollar pledge for the stabilization and partial renovation of West Baden Springs Hotel led to a much more ambitious plan than anyone could have imagined. Their investment not only saved West Baden Springs Hotel, but also restored French Lick Springs Hotel to its former glory.

The refurbished French Lick Springs Hotel and its new casino officially opened in November 2006, and a large part of the restoration of West Baden Springs Hotel started the next day. When it was all said and done, it required about $600 million in renovations to create the resort you see today. More than a decade after “The Save of the Century,” tourism is once again thriving in the area. It was the largest privately funded restoration project in Indiana and one of the biggest in the country.

After checking into our room and doing a very rushed freshening up, we were driven to the West Baden Hotel for dinner in the Ballard Grill.  We were in awe!

This photo (not mine) is an overview of the immense size of the West Baden Hotel Atrium.

After our delicious meal, we toured the Atrium and Hotel.  

The flooring in both the lobby and the atrium consists of millions of pieces of mosaic stones. Gorgeous!

From the Atrium we went into the Hotel Lobby.  It is a beautifully appointed room with a tiled mosaic floor, gilded wall paintings, and classical statuary.

From here, we took the elevator to the sixth floor for an overlook of the atrium.  What an amazing view.

This is a close-up view of the expansive beams supporting the dome.

There is also a museum that shares the fascinating history of this place.

After walking up and down and all around, we still weren't ready to leave.  It was amazing how quiet it was even though there were people all around in small groupings.  There was delightful background jazz Christmas music and the beauty of this place held us spellbound.

So, we found comfy lounge chairs and enjoyed each other and our surroundings before being shuttled back to our room for a good night's sleep for the final drive north the next morning.

I cannot recommend this place enough.  Another interesting tidbit of info about French Lick is that it is the home of pro basketball Hall of Famer Larry Bird.

Here is a link for information about a Larry Bird tour.

Larry Bird's Home in French Lick, IN

A Red, White & Blue Hodgepodge

VOTE EARLY!

These are indeed perilous times and like Elon Musk boldly declared, this could be the last national democratic election if we elect the wrong party that supports Marxist policies.  Don't sit back and let others decide your future and that of your country and family for you.

Ok, that's my sermon for the day.  Now, go to Joyce's blog HERE, and see how she answered her own questions. 

1. Monday was National Apple Day...did you eat an apple or enjoy something made with apples on Monday? Do you like apples? Do you prefer your apples raw, baked, or in cider? Do you have a favorite variety of apple?

I am not a big apple eater and prefer my apples in a cider or cut up small in a Waldorf Salad.

2. Do you think there's any truth to the saying 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away'. Of the following healthy habits which do you find easiest to incorporate into your life and which is the most difficult for you to adopt-

adequate sleep, a balanced diet, plenty of water, eat breakfast, don't smoke, exercise, limit alcohol,  include fruits and vegetables in your diet, manage stress, limit screen time

I don't think the saying has particular relevance; however, I do try to incorporate all the above healthy habits in leu of eating an apple every day.  Getting adequate sleep is always a challenge for me as I deal with insomnia, and eating a balanced diet is getting harder for us because our desire for food is ever changing as we get older and older.

We try to include some fruits and veggies during the week; I don't have a lot of stress in my life but seem to manage what little might rear its ugly head, with prayer and a monthly massage.  Now, limiting screen time is still a challenge.  We were without WIFI for a couple days and I realized how much our life revolves around that essential connection to the world.

3. Who taught you how to drive? Do you enjoy driving? Would you rather be the driver or the passenger?  Do you have a favorite scenic drive near you? 

My dad taught me to drive and was an excellent and patient teacher.  I love to drive and am the primary driver.  I much prefer to be the driver at all times.  We don't have a favorite scenic drive near us, because all scenic drives can only be accessed by miles and miles of horrific city traffic.  Once out of the DFW Metroplex, there are beautiful drives in all directions if you don't mind wide-open Texas spaces.

4. What small habit has had a big impact on your life?

I'm not sure how big an impact it has had on my life except to alleviate stress, but I do not allow clutter.  There is a place for everything and nothing is left laying around.

5. Tell us about something nice that happened to you recently.

We had our Ladies Bible Study yesterday then went to lunch together.  These are the most godly women and such a blessing to me.  They are fun, encouraging, inspirational and simply a group of beautiful ladies.  It just doesn't get much nicer than that.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

WE VOTED EARLY!

There are already issues with voting machines in GA, TN and TX, so ask for a paper ballot and make sure it is registered before leaving.  And, be sure to thank the senior adult volunteers who are giving their valuable time to insure we have a safe and secure place to carry out our patriotic duty.

A Walk in the Fall Park

It is back to the Hodgepodge this week.  Check out how Joyce answers her own questions HERE

1. Thursday is National Walk To A Park Day. I know these celebratory days are mostly made up, but some are fun to think about. Do you live close enough to a park to walk to one on Thursday? Will you? The most famous park in the world is Central Park located in NYC. Have you ever been to Central Park? What did you think? If you haven't been is this a place you'd like to see?

 Yes, I am close enough to walk to the Arbor Hill Nature Preserve, but I choose to do my walking inside the beautiful natural trails and not on the streets to get there.  I will not be going there on Thursday, although a 6 a.m. walk would be wonderful.

I have never been to Central Park in NYC.

2. Something you've done recently that turned out to be a 'walk in the park'?

I haven't done anything lately out of the ordinary that was a challenge.

 

3. Can you parallel park? Do you have to do this often where you live? 

Yes, I can.  No, I don't have to do it often; however, there were several little Lake Michigan towns that we visited earlier in the year that required parallel parking.  I managed to get my big SUV in the space quite well.

4. The colors of fall...red, brown, russet, golden bronze, golden yellow, purplish red, light tan, crimson, orange red, and scarlet. Are these colors you like to wear? Is this your season in terms of color? What about your home? Would we see these tones in your home decorating?

Oh yes, these are my comfort colors and very evident in my closet.  They are also in my fall decorations right now.  I showed some of my favorite home decor on a blog this week that can be found HERE

5. What part of history do you find most interesting? Elaborate.

I love studying Biblical history.  The study of how God's plan for His people never changed even when they were a rebellious, sinful people and they experienced His wrath.  I especially enjoy studying about the Kings during that time and how they relate to the prophets and Jewish people.  After a period of silence, God through His Son, Jesus entered history to bring the redemption and the completion of all the Old Testament teachings.  Such a beautiful story.  It is also very relevant to what is going on in this day and time.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

These are a couple favorite items in my house that reflect my comfort colors year round and are repeated in other rooms.

HAPPY FALL, YA'LL

Loving My Fall Home

Doesn't everyone love fall decor?

If you're like me, we wait for September or, if you can put it off, October to put out those favorite little touches that remind us of autumn and cooler days to come.

My touches seem to get less and less every year; however, I need my favorites where I can see them and feel at home.  So, let me share these favorites with you.

This simple little grouping on our round table holds my little velvet pumpkins and a fall-scented candle.

I love the combination of these beautiful glass pumpkins with the heirloom antique books and Bibles.  The mixed texture and color contrasts speak to me and bring warmth to my otherwise cold stone fireplace.

The other end of the mantel is anchored with this more colorful grouping.

In a corner of the living room is this round table that is seasonally dressed for fall.  The plaid drape repeats the colors from the mantel and adds its own warmth to the room.

Baskets bring their own touch of fall to your decor and this faux fall arrangement is a favorite to use in various groupings.  I love the touch of this sweet little tea cup and saucer, a gift from a dear friend several years ago.  It's things like this that make a house a home.

The touch of teal is complimentary and breaks up the browns and oranges while bringing interest to the white sofa.  This color also repeats teal colors in original paintings on the walls.  

This snuggly throw was made by a favorite aunt many years ago and brings warm color to my little sofa in the sunroom.  I love throw pillows and especially these silk embroidery ones that were found at an antique store with my sweet sisters years ago.  It brings back special memories that are important to me.  That's being at home in the space you call home. 

Faux fur and animal prints also help say "Fall Is Here!" and bring a touch of class and warmth to a room.

This sweet vintage dish which contains a handmade candle by my granddaughter, Cassidy will always have a place in my home.  Remember, it doesn't have to be fancy, just meaningful.

So, this is my fall decor and I hope you have gotten a sense of warmth and love from visiting our little place that we love calling "HOME!"