[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25549]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRATULATING FRENCH LICK, INDIANA ON ITS SESQUICENTENNIAL

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                           HON. BARON P. HILL

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2007

  Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, 2007 marks the 150th anniversary of the town 
of French Lick, Indiana. Many of my colleagues in Congress may 
recognize the town's name as the birthplace of one of basketball's 
finest, Larry Bird. But, those of us who have had the pleasure of 
spending time in French Lick know it for much more. I am looking 
forward to celebrating French Lick's Sesquicentennial with its 
residents this coming weekend when the festivities commence on Friday, 
September 28, 2007. The celebration will feature an array of events, 
such as the Queen's Ball, Historic Home Tours, Commemorative Post Mark, 
Pumpkin Festival Parade, Carnival Rides, Historic Train Rides, Time 
Capsule Dedication, live musical performances, art show, and golf 
tournament.
  French Lick has a long and distinguished history. In the 1800s, as 
pioneers began settling the Indiana Territory, one of the few roads 
connecting Louisville and Vincennes was the buffalo trail through 
current day French Lick. Several pioneers established hotels and other 
business trades along the route, leading to the founding of French Lick 
in 1857. Some of these early residents included the likes of Dr. 
William Bowles, who constructed the first health resort sometime 
between 1840 and 1845; Charles Edward Ballard, the town's most famous 
entrepreneur known for his successful management of saloons and casino 
operations; and Ferdinand and Henry Cross, brothers whose artistic 
talents enriched the lives on travels to the town. Henry's work would 
later be used for the sketch of the buffalo on the United States 
nickel.
  The tourist demand for French Lick's magical, health-rejuvenating 
water led to the construction and remodeling of the French Lick Hotel. 
One of the hotel's most famous owners was a resourceful entrepreneur 
named Thomas Taggart. Taggart, who served in several elected positions 
including as Mayor of Indianapolis and as a U.S. Senator, also lead the 
State Democratic Party beginning in 1892 and the National Democratic 
Party in 1905. After fire destroyed part of the original hotel, it was 
Taggart that expanded and rebuilt the facility with its trademark 
yellow brick, 6 story front. Thousand of travelers flocked to the new 
hotel as a resort destination prior to traveling to other destinations 
or attending popular events such as the Kentucky Derby in nearby 
Louisville, KY.
  The mineral springs of the French Lick area brought many travelers to 
the region, but it was the gambling that established the Spring Valley 
as the leisure destination during the first half of the twentieth 
century. Although seen as a ``victimless crime'' to many, gambling was 
illegal and in the late 1940s raids on several casinos ended the 
practice in the area. The resulting loss of tourism to the area created 
an economic hardship in the region and the French Lick Hotel passed 
among several owners. It was in the late 1990s that residents of the 
town and surrounding region, aided by Historical Preservationist such 
as William Cook, began restoring the Grand Hotels of the area. Coupled 
with the legalization of gaming in 2003, the French Lick Springs Resort 
Hotel and town has returned to its formed grandeur as a resort and 
leisure destination.
  Congratulations French Lick on this historical occasion. All Hoosiers 
look forward to seeing how this unique and wonderful town develops for 
decades to come.

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