I was to attend a high school event at the “West Baden Springs Hotel in 1977; upon arriving to the hotel, I was in awe of the size and the impressive entrance. The steps, the porch, and lights were just so grand, but at second glance the property was in much need of upkeep. Entering the hotel was extremely shocking, the hotel looked to be in ruins. We enter directly into the atrium it was really in a devastating state. How could we have an event here? The atrium had light fixtures hanging off the walls, lighting cords everywhere, wallpaper coming off the walls. Just a complete mess and certainly dangerous for anyone in there. Needless to say, the event was moved to another location. This was my first visit to the “West Baden Springs Hotel”. But yes, this place had a left a lasting thought; we had only seen the atrium, what about the other areas of the hotel?
So back to the history my friends- The different colleges obviously did not keep up with care of the hotel and the hotel was sold again in 1985 to a real estate investment firm. That firm soon filed for bankruptcy and the hotel was a part of that filing.
In 1974 the hotel became a National Historic Landmark. The hotel was eventually closed due to the neglect and failed upkeep in 1989. The “Indiana Landmarks” historical preservation society worked to stabilize and renew the hotel for potential investors. Eventually, the hotel was sold again to different investors. The Cook family of The Cook Group, Inc. a medical group out of Bloomington, Indiana stepped into fund the restoration of the hotel and brought it back to the grander of its original beginnings in 2007.
Tomorrow, “The Springs” and my new visits.
Source: frenchlick.com
