Honest-to-Goodness Indiana LogoHonest-to-Goodness Indiana Black and White Logo
Favorites
  • Things To Do

    Attractions

    • Museums
    • Historic Sites
    • Entertainment
    • Music, Art & Theater
    • Cities & Downtowns
    • Tours
    • Zoos
    • Sacred Places
    • Casinos & Gaming
    • Spas

    Outdoors & Sports

    • State Parks & Gardens
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Farms & Orchards
    • Lakes & Water Sports
    • Trails
    • Motorsports & Sports Teams
    • Golf
    • Water & Theme Parks
    • Ziplining
    • Camping
    • Horseback Riding

    Shopping

    • Made in Indiana
    • Antiques & Flea Markets
    • Sweet Treats & Food
    • Home & Gifts
    • Downtown Shopping
    • Outlets & Malls
    • Artisans & Handcrafts

    Agritourism

    • Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries
    • Seasonal U-Picks
    • Trails & Tours
    • Farming, Growing & Eating

    On a Budget?

    • Discounts
    • FREE Things to Do
  • Lodging

    Lodging

    • Hotels / Motels
    • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns
    • Campgrounds
    • Cabins
    • Resorts / Lodges
    • Vacation Rentals

    On a Budget?

    • Lodging Discounts
  • Food & Drink

    Food & Drink

    • Casual Dining
    • Fine Dining
    • Wineries
    • Breweries
    • Food Tours
    • Fresh Markets
    • Distilleries

    On a Budget?

    • Discounts
  • Events

    Events & Festivals

    • Holiday & Season Celebrations
    • History & Cultural Festivals
    • Fairs & City Festivals
    • Music & Dance
    • Arts & Crafts
    • Theater & Movies
    • Food, Beer & Wine
    • Nature & Outdoors
    • Sports & Competitions
    • Vehicles & Collectors
    • Antiques & Shopping
    • Families & Kids

    On a Budget?

    • FREE Admission
  • Trip Ideas

    What You Like

    • Everything!
    • Winter Wonderlands
    • Delicious Trips
    • Summer Fun Trips
    • Family Fun
    • Outdoor Rec & Sports
    • Rural Destinations
    • Art & Culture
    • Romantic Retreats
    • Girlfriend Getaways
    • Casinos & Entertainment

    Where You Want to Go

    • Anywhere in Indiana
    • North
    • West
    • East
    • Central
    • South Central
    • South
    • Multi-region
  • Discounts

    Discounts

    • Things To Do
    • Food & Drink
    • Lodging
    • Lodging Packages (lodging & attraction bundles)
    • Visit Indiana Week
  • Best of Indiana

    Best of Indiana

    • See the Winners

    Featured in the Indiana Travel Guide

    • One State, 6 Ways
    • Don’t-Miss Destinations
    • INsider

    VLOG

    • Katie's Home-State Adventures
  • Brochures
  • Vlog
  • Blog
  • Contests
  • Local Info
  • About Indiana
  • Contact Us
  • Email Subscribe
  • Home
  • Home
  • Indiana Insider Blog
  • Destination Atrium: West Baden Springs Hotel

Destination Atrium: West Baden Springs Hotel

By Chris Flook on January 22, 2019
Back
The atrium at West Baden Springs Hotel.

One of my favorite places to visit and stay in Indiana is the West Baden Springs Hotel in Orange County. While the nearby French Lick Springs Hotel draws visitors for their splendid casino and restaurant scene, I’m drawn to the historic architecture, atmosphere, and grounds at West Baden Springs Hotel.

West Baden Springs Hotel

On a recent trip to the historic hotel, I stayed exclusively to take advantage of the atrium. For writers (and readers), the atrium provides an excellent venue to whittle away the the day writing and with a good book, unlike any place else in Indiana. The ‘ghosts’ of so many famous visitors and the historical ambiance are quite palpable in the air. Every Hoosier should stay here at least once in their lives. In the colder months of the year, it’s a great place to stay if you are looking to relax inside!

The dome.

The uniqueness of the hotel is due to the sheer enormity of the structure, once affectionately known as the Eighth Wonder of the World. The 200 foot dome covering the atrium first opened (along with the rest of the hotel) to the public in 1902. From that year until 1913, it was the largest free-spanning dome in the entire world. In the United States, it held that title until 1955 when the Coliseum opened in Charlotte.

The road in.

The West Baden Springs Hotel is the third such structure to exist on the property. The first hotel (Mile Lick Inn) was opened in 1852 when West Baden Springs was known as Mile Lick. Around the time of the Civil War, the hotel became known as West Baden Springs Hotel after Mile Lick changed names to West Baden Springs, in honor of Wiesbaden, Germany.

Cleaning up after New Year’s.

Eventually, the hotel and property came under the control of Lee Sinclair and E.R. Rhodes. In 1891, the first hotel was lost in a fire. A new structure was built, but it too was destroyed in a fire in 1901. Sinclair built a third structure in less than a year, which was completed in 1902.

The grounds are lovely any time of year.

In the earliest years, the dome drew many visitors, but the facility also had golf courses, horseback riding, a bank, and a baseball diamond. After another fire, the hotel was significantly remodeled around the time of the First World War. It remained an active resort, popular with the well-to-do (also mobsters) until the Great Depression. The current owners have done a fantastic job of letting the 1920s permeate the atmosphere of the whole building. It’s like being in The Shining’s Overlook Hotel, but without the malevolent spirits.

Gardens at West Baden Springs Hotel

After the Great Depression ruined the business, then owner Edward Ballard sold the hotel to the Jesuits, who opened a seminary on the property. The Jesuits operated the seminary from 1934 until 1966, when they sold it to a private college, which opened the Northwood Institute.

…found in the atrium.

In time, the school closed and the property passed into the hands of several investors. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987 and by the early 1990s, the hotel was in such bad shape that the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed it on their most endangered list. Indiana Landmarks made efforts in the early 1990s to preserve the structure as much as possible.

Like the ‘Overlook,’ but with nice spirits.

In 2005, the Cooke Group, Inc. bought both the West Baden Springs and French Lick Springs hotels and restored both facilities. By 2007, West Baden Springs Hotel reopened to the public.

The Dome

Back to the atrium – it’s just a great place to hangout, write, read, play games, and have a drink. I spent six days here and finished four books and about 10,000 words (including the ones you are reading). When crowds became large in the afternoon, I retreated into the fabulous library to continue work, or up to my room for a nap. I would frequently stay in the atrium until 2 or 3 AM when it was totally quiet.

Off to the casinos!

If you need a break with a bit more excitement, a quick trolley ride over to the casino in French Lick Springs Hotel, or one of the bars in town are worth the trip.

Want to learn more about things to do in French Lick & West Baden? Read about French Lick Winery, the cute town of Paoli, the nearby ski resort Paoli Peaks and the upclose encounters you can experience with elephants, giraffes and now bears!

Map

West Baden Springs Hotel

Shown On Google >

Related Posts

This Uniquely Beautiful Courthouse is the Centerpiece of the Quaint Small Town of Paoli This Historic Site Near Evansville is a Must See for All Hoosiers The Amazing Getaway You Won’t Believe Exists in Southern Indiana 10 Unforgettable Adventures Awaiting You in Indiana The Dunham House: President Barack Obama’s Ancestral Connection to The Hoosier State

Related Topics

  • 50 Things Every Hoosier Must Do
  • Arts & Culture
  • French Lick
  • Historic Sites
  • Historical Sites
  • History
  • Indiana
  • South
  • Things To Do

Featured Post

Rebuilt & Reinvented: This Small-Town Favorite is an All New Restaurant

Featured Trip Idea

Couples: Top 8 Indiana Getaways

SIGN UP FOR UPDATES

Follow Along the Indiana Insider Blog

Get the latest blog posts to your inbox

SAVINGS

DISCOUNTS

Coupons and Special Deals

THINGS TO DO

THINGS TO DO

Plan Your Getaway

Explore VisitIndiana.com
  • Things to Do
  • Lodging
  • Food & Drink
  • Events
  • Trip Ideas
  • Discounts
  • Discounts
  • Best of Indiana
  • Brochures
  • Enter Contests
  • Local Contact Information
  • About Indiana
Other Links
  • About IOTD
  • Contact Us
  • For Media
  • For Travel Professionals
  • For Teachers
  • VisitIndianaGolf.com
  • Film Indiana
Blog Disclosure

This blog reflects the opinions of those writing and commenting and not necessarily the view opinions or endorsements of the Lieutenant Governor of the Stat of Indiana.

 

FTC Disclosure

Follow Us

Indiana Office of Tourism Development

 

One North Capitol Suite 600, Indianapolis, IN 46204
(800) 677-9800

 

© Copyright 2014-2018

 

Privacy Policy