[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 36 (Monday, February 24, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S1115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING 175 YEARS OF HOSPITALITY IN FRENCH LICK

  Mr. YOUNG. Mr. President, I rise to recognize 175 years of tourism, 
history, and hospitality that the French Lick Resort has brought to my 
home State of Indiana.
  In 1832, two Hoosier brothers, Thomas and Dr. William Bowles, 
purchased 1,500 acres of property near French Lick, IN. Part of the 
property's allure was the abundant mineral springs loaded with Epsom 
salt and sulfur. As a physician, Dr. Bowles became intrigued by the 
medicinal benefits that the mineral springs possessed, which famously 
turned into the Hoosier tonic Pluto Water. In 1845, the brothers 
welcomed their first guests after building a unique, three-story, wood-
framed hotel.
  In 1901, a small group of investors, including former Indianapolis 
mayor Tom Taggart, bought the property from the Bowles brothers. Mayor 
Taggart's vision and political expertise aided in the development of 
the hotel and the expansion of the Monon Railroad from Chicago to the 
front entrance, encouraging more tourists to ``take to the waters.'' By 
1905, the French Link Springs Hotel had become a grand destination, and 
its services were greatly sought after by all of Indiana society. Soon 
enough, it had gained worldwide recognition. With the hotel's stunning 
success, Donald James Ross, ``the Michelangelo of golf course design'' 
and a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, was hired to build the 
French Lick Springs Golf Course. In 1924, the course hosted a PGA 
championship, attracting more national attention and further success. 
By 1931, the hotel became the unofficial headquarters of the national 
Democratic Party and became the site for the 1931 Democratic Governor's 
Conference. As a socialite destination, numerous notable guests visited 
the springs, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Ronald 
Reagan, John Barrymore, and Howard Hughes.
  Because of its heritage of tourism and hospitality, in 2003 the 
French Lick Springs Hotel was added to the National Register of 
Historic Places--a distinction of notable merit. In 2005, the French 
Lick Springs Hotel and its former competitor, the West Baden Springs 
Hotel, were purchased by the Cook Group, Inc., a family-owned company 
headquartered in Bloomington, IN. After a complete 1-year renovation, 
the French Lick Resort was born, continuing its legacy of attracting 
visitors from the around the world to Southern Indiana with a variety 
of events.
  The French Lick Resort and its world-class amenities have served 
millions of guests and has greatly added to the cultural history of the 
United States. On behalf of the State of Indiana, I wish the resort 
continued success for another 175 years and beyond.

                          ____________________