The History of French Lick Resort

French Lick Springs Hotel

Nestled in the Hoosier National Forest, this valley has long been an attraction because of the many mineral water springs found here. The free-flowing mineral water left a residue of salt on the rocks surrounding the springs, which attracted animals such as deer and buffalo to lick the salt off the rocks. This natural phenomenon made French Lick one of the many "Licks" in what is now southern Indiana. Most historians agree that there were probably French fur traders and French missionaries in this area during the time Indiana was part of "New France." However, when the British and German settlers started coming into this part of the country in the very early 1800s, no other settlers were to be found. By 1812 there was so much tension between the settlers and the Native Americans that the governor of the Indiana Territory ordered blockhouses to be built in several locations as forts for the settlers to stay in when necessary, especially at night. One such fort was built at French Lick in 1812. When Indiana became a state, this area was thought to be a probable source of salt and was reserved for that purpose. When it became apparent that the quantity of salt was insufficient for manufacturing, the land was put up for public auction. In 1833 Dr. William Bowles, a physician from Paoli, bought 15,000 acres of land; he began to develop it and by 1845 had built the first "French Lick Springs Hotel." This was a wood-frame building of "peculiar architecture" that drew people from as far as 100 miles a way to partake in the "miracle waters." Some even carried the mineral water home in jugs and canvas containers.

The French Lick Hotel thrived under various owners, and two more buildings were added in 1888. One building was called the Clifton and had additional rooms for guests; the other building was called the Pavilion and was used for billiards, dancing, and had a casino on the second floor. In 1897 the original building, now called the Windsor, burned. The owners had very good insurance and rebuilt immediately. Tom Taggart, the mayor of Indianapolis, along with a small group of seven investors, formed the French Lick Hotel Company and bought the property in 1901.

It was under Tom Taggart's imaginative rule that the French Lick Springs Hotel rocketed to international prominence. First he enlarged the east wing, now known as the Spa Wing, using the famous yellow "French Lick Brick," scagliola (faux marble), and the Italian mosaic floors you now see. He also had the Monon Railroad lay a special spur and run daily trains between Chicago and the front entrance of the hotel. In 1907 he hired Tom Bendelow to design the resort's first championship golf course, formerly known as "The Valley Course" and, in 1917, had Donald Ross design and build what has been known as "The Hill Course." He modernized and expanded the baths and built a new bottling house to bottle "Pluto Water" in concentrated form for national distribution. After Mr. Taggart was named Democratic National Chairman, the elite of politics and society suddenly "discovered" French Lick Springs and its expansive and luxurious spa. It was at this hotel that, in 1917, the world famous chef Louis Perrin first served tomato juice. Mr. Taggart evicted the operator of the casino that was on the property shortly after purchasing the hotel and always disclaimed any connection with the gambling casinos throughout the valley. However, extensive illegal gambling existed throughout the French Lick area until the last casino was closed in 1949.

Mr. Taggart, who served briefly as a U.S. Senator by appointment, described himself as a family man first, a hotel man second and apolitical lobbyist third. He grew in stature until he was acknowledged as the power behind Democratic politics in the United States. Simultaneously, French Lick Springs Hotel developed a reputation as the unofficial headquarters of the Democratic Party. It was here in this hotel that, in 1931, Franklin D. Roosevelt rounded up support at a Democratic Governor's Conference for the party's presidential nomination.