French Lick, Indiana

October 2005

M.P. D17.7 - 7th Subdivision - FL

Host of the 2005 Monon Railroad Historical-Technical Society's Annual Meeting And Convention

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There are a number of colorful stories concerning the origin of the town’s name but the most widely-accepted theory came from its early settlers. French Lick got its name from the early French settlers and the “mineral licks.” French traders came to the area and discovered the mineral springs bubbling from the ground in the vicinity of what is now French Lick. At the same time, they discovered the abundance of wildlife that flocked to them to lick the mineral deposits left on the ground and rocks. Around 1832, Dr. William Bowles, a nearby businessman, purchased a considerable piece of property around the most significant springs. Eight years later, Bowles and partner John Hursgate began a merchantile trade selling the water and they built a three-story guesthouse for the recovery of the water, they called Pluto Water after the Greek god of the underworld.

Postcard, circa 1908, of the Pluto Water spring at the French Lick Springs Hotel

Bowles chartered the town in 1857 and later died in 1873. His wooden hotel structure burned in 1897 and the property was then purchased by a syndicate fronted by Indianapolis Mayor and National Democratic Committee Chairman Thomas Taggart and he began construction on what is now the French Lick Springs Resort and Spa.

Left: The Springs Hotel, circa 1909. Right: Aerial view postcard of the Springs, circa 1939

As many as 14 Pullman train cars a day pulled into town, traveling mainly down the Monon and Southern Railway systems. In 1907 a limestone passenger station was built and in 1929 a brick freight station constructed to handle the influx of tourists, who didn’t only come to drink the water. At the turn of the twentieth century, tourists particularly came for the casino gambling, although it was illegal. Until 1949, Taggart had all the right political connections to avoid prosecution and as a result thousands of dollars were dropped at gambling halls like the Elite Club and the Brown. Not only did dignitaries like Franklin D. Roosevelt, Lana Turner, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope visit, but French Lick also produced its own notes of infamy. In 1917 the chef at the French Lick Resort ran out of oranges to serve for breakfast so he created tomato juice for the first time.

Left: House tracks in front of the Springs, circa 1930's. Right: Yard at French Lick, circa 1932. The freight house is in the background.

Steam operating on the French Lick branch. Left Local freight near the freight depot. Right: Freight coming through the yard at French Lick.

Left: French Lick, Indiana depot, circa 1964. Right: French Lick depot 1980 as the home to the Indiana Railway Museum.

French Lick and West Baden street car #1. Exact date unknown.

Left: Postcard depicting downtown French Lick, circa 1960. Right: French Lick Town Hall, circa 2004.

One of the street in French Lick bears the name of their most famous sons, basketball legend Larry Bird.

French Lick may boast a world class resort, the town however remain small town Americana. Pictured is the local phone company building.

French Lick Springs Resort

Today, French Lick Springs Resort rests on some 2,600 acres in the breath taking Hoosier National Forest. The current facility includes 470 rooms and boasts two superb golf courses, the Valley Course and the scenic, Donald Ross designed, Country Club Hill Course. Badminton, volleyball, horseshoes, shuffleboard, croquet, stables, and two swimming pools (including a spacious bubble enclosed one) are other activities offered. Additionally, horse stables, tennis courts, mineral baths and massages await the pleasure of guests.

French Lick Springs Hotel, circa 2004. The hotel is still in operation, although the tracks no longer extend to the front steps. Right: The end of the house tracks. This is all that remains of the house tracks in 2004. The former path to the front steps can still be seen running through the hotel parking lots.

The Pluto Water spring at the French Lick Springs Hotel.

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