A Funny Name for a Fabulous Resort

Indiana Tourism welcomes today’s guest blogger, Greg Seiter:

Indianapolis native Greg Seiter has served as AAA Hoosier Motor Club’s public affairs manager for more than 10 years. Within that position, the University of Indianapolis graduate works as the 400,000-member club’s official spokesperson, media relations contact and public relations representative.

Seiter’s passion is writing. In fact, the 20-year freelance veteran has written for a variety of local and national publications, including newspapers and magazines such as AAA’s Home & Away, SOUTH and numerous NCAA Championships programs as well as the 2008 and 2009 Indiana Travel Guides.

You can follow the AAA Hoosier Motor Club on Twitter at @aaahoosier

A Funny Name for a Fabulous Resort:

Okay, I have to admit it. Even to this day, as a somewhat-close-to middle-aged adult, I still can’t help but giggle a little when I hear something about French Lick, Indiana. Let’s face it, the name of the southern Indiana town where NBA legend Larry Bird grew up is unusual, to say the least, though its origins as a French trading post near a salt lick explains it.

However, while it’s almost expected that a spot on the road like French Lick (the town has a total area of 1.6 square miles) would be home to an out-of-the ordinary eatery or perhaps a beyond-the-norm antique shop, the fact that it’s also the address of a historic and world-renowned resort is unique in itself.

Established primarily as a destination for those seeking the advertised healing powers of the town’s sulfur springs, the Four Diamond French Lick Springs Hotel was first opened in 1845 and then later rebuilt on a much larger scale after a fire in 1897. Pluto Water wasn’t the only thing attracting patrons in those early years. In fact, the hotel rapidly became recognized as a popular getaway spot for the rich and famous, thanks in part to its reputation as a gambling destination.

Read the rest of the post on the AAA TravelViews blog.