French lick, IN
History
French Lick was originally a French trading post built near a spring and salt lick. A fortified ranger post was established near the springs in 1811. On Johnson's 1837 map of Indiana, the community was known as Salt Spring. The town was founded in 1857. French Lick's post office has been in operation since 1847.
The sulfur springs were commercially exploited for medical benefits starting in 1840. By the later half of the 19th century, French Lick was famous in the United States as a spa town. In the early 20th century it also featured casinos attracting celebrities such as boxer Joe Louis, composer Irving Berlin and gangster Al Capone.
Because of wartime travel restrictions, the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox held spring training in French Lick from 1943 to 1944; in 1945 the Cubs stayed in town while the White Sox moved to Terre Haute, utilizing Memorial Stadium. In order to conserve rail transport during World War II, 1943 spring training was limited to an area east of the Mississippi River and north of the Ohio River.
The French Lick Resort Casino was the focal point of most of the entertainment; the hotel remained open well after the casinos were closed down and the heyday of the town was well past. The resort closed for renovation in 2005 and re-opened in 2006.
Pluto Water, a best-selling laxative of the first half of the 20th century, was bottled here. It was also home to a large 7 Up bottling facility, which ceased operations in the mid-20th century.
Franklin D. Roosevelt announced his intention to run for president in June of 1931 at a National Governors' Convention held at the French Lick Springs Hotel.
In 2015, the Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort played host to the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship.
[Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Lick,_Indiana]
Notable People
Larry Bird, professional basketball player. Bird started at the high school team of Springs Valley High School, where he left as the school's all-time scoring leader; he became nicknamed "the Hick from French Lick"
Jerry Reynolds, former Sacramento Kings head coach
West baden springs, in
History
West Baden Springs is located in the vicinity of several mineral springs.[4] The town was founded in the 1850s, and named after the spa towns of Wiesbaden or Baden-Baden, in Germany. A post office has been in operation at West Baden Springs since 1861.
The town is home to these historical buildings:
Dixie Garage, First Baptist Church, Homestead Hotel, Oxford Hotel, West Baden National Bank, and West Baden Springs Hotel are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
[Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Baden_Springs,_Indiana]
Notable Persons
Larry Bird (Born and lived in WB), widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He is the only person in NBA history to be named Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.