West Baden Springs Hotel became the dream hotel that original owner Lee W. Sinclair envisioned. When an early-morning fire struck in 1901, the entire Mile Lick Hotel burned down in just two hours (thankfully all guests and the Sinclair family made it to safety). Sinclair used the loss of the hotel as an opportunity to bring his grand ideas to life in a new structure. Sinclair's goal was to make this new circular hotel fireproof and available again to the public within a year after the fire. Construction began on West Baden Springs Hotel in October 1901 and was completed within a year of the fire by June of 1902.
After Sinclair passed in 1916, his daughter Lillian and her husband continued to run the hotel's operation and began a massive renovation to the hotel and grounds. With the majority of the renovations turning a century old this year, we want to show you the dramatic atmosphere Lillian designed. Much of which can still be seen today when walking through the West Baden Springs Hotel and the gardens.
Take a look through the visual journey of the hotel's past and present as we conclude our 100th year of celebrating these remarkable renovations.
After Sinclair passed in 1916, his daughter Lillian and her husband continued to run the hotel's operation and began a massive renovation to the hotel and grounds. With the majority of the renovations turning a century old this year, we want to show you the dramatic atmosphere Lillian designed. Much of which can still be seen today when walking through the West Baden Springs Hotel and the gardens.
Take a look through the visual journey of the hotel's past and present as we conclude our 100th year of celebrating these remarkable renovations.
Atrium Seal Fountain
The Sinclair family (left to right: Charles Rexford, Carolyn Persise Sinclair, Lillian Sinclair Rexford and Lee Sinclair) relax in the atrium of West Baden Springs Hotel with their dog Rex in 1912. As shown in the photo, the fern-filled fountain (situated in the center of the atrium) is now located outside as a roundabout at the hotel's back entrance.
As seen today, the atrium fountain was removed and installed as a road roundabout. The seal centerpiece was lost over time and it remains a mystery as to what exactly happened to it. While no longer used as a fountain, it has a second life as a flowerbed displaying colorful flowers throughout the year.
Double Arch Entrance
Construction for the double-arch entry began in early 1914, erected by the International Steel and Iron Company of Evansville, Ind.
Above: The archway as seen in the late 1910s. Below: The arches as they are seen today.
Formal Gardens
A 1925 postcard highlights the Formal Gardens at West Baden Springs Hotel, the Billiard and Bowling Pavilion (which opened on Christmas Day 1917) can be seen to the left and the Hygeia Spring Pavilion on the right.
This 1923 postcard view was taken from atop the Billiard and Bowling Pavilion in the Formal Gardens. From left to right: Hygeia Spring Pavilion, the former Our Lady of the Lourdes Catholic Church on the hill above, West Baden Springs Hotel, Apollo Spring Pavilion and the former Sprudel Pavilion. Our Lady of the Lourdes Catholic Church was torn down in late 1933 due to structural problems having been built on the steep hillside, and the Sprudel Pavilion was demolished in 1974 by what was then Northwood Institute.
The gardens as they are seen today.
Hygeia Spring
The Hygeia Spring was originally named Spring No. 1. Hygeia refers to the Greek goddess of health. Built in 1917 in the neoclassical style, the pavilion features art glass windows and an octagonal center portion, which is very acoustical. The spring was capped soon after the Jesuits took ownership of the hotel in the 30s.
The Hygeia Spring as it's seen today.
Apollo Spring
Apollo Spring
Originally named Spring No. 3. Lillian renamed this spring after the Greek god Apollo. Apollo was god of the sun, prophecy, music, medicine and poetry.
Note the railings that line the steps down to the spring basin. Also visible is the carved name of the spring that formally adorned the base of the pavilion above the steps.
The Tuscan-columned Apollo Pavilion structure as seen today. The spring was capped off in the 1940s and the stairs leading to the basin below filled in.
Pendant and Medallion Shield
The pendant and medallion shield were added to the atrium hub's base during the 1917 renovation. The pendant is 12 feet long and the medallion shield is 27 feet in diameter. Both were essential to create the Pompeian style Lillian was looking for in the atrium.
West Baden Springs Hotel's atrium is a stunning spectacle and was converted to the Pompeian Court using Greco-Roman decor and furnishings.
Atrium
In this pre-1917 photo of the atrium, notice the brick columns, abundance of ferns and wicker furniture.
After Lillian's 1917 renovations, she used mostly wood and fine furnishings:
Atrium floor was tiled in marble, first floor wall was covered in marble wainscoting, light fixtures were placed at the base of the atrium's 24 columns, underside of the atrium's dome roof was decorated with panels of artistic devices, columns were smoothed with plaster, painted canvas and bordered by decorative panels.
The atrium received new furnishings including marble flooring and columns during its complete makeover with Lillian.
A current stunning view of the atrium.
Rookwood Fireplace
The Rookwood fireplace surround as seen today. The ornately detailed surround was installed in 1917 by owner Lillian Sinclair during her grand renovations to the hotel. Despite the West Baden Springs Hotel being in disrepair for over two decades, the fireplace surround remained in incredible condition during that time. Although dirty, it required little work during the restoration.
.Apollo and the Muse Statues
If you look closely, two of the four classical Grecian statues can be seen in the Pompeian Court. A close-up view of each of the statues is below. From left to right: Apollo, the leader of the Muses, is located between the main lobby and the Rookwood fireplace. Clio, the Muse of History, is found between the main lobby and the entrance to the gardens. Polyhymnia, the Muse of Sacred Song and Poetry, is located between the garden entrance and the main entrance. Thalia, the Muse of Comedy, is found between the main entrance and the Rookwood fireplace.
These four statues are still a sight to see in West Baden Springs Hotel's atrium. With everything the West Baden Springs Hotel has been through in the last 100 years, it's a wonder how these statues survived. During the restoration, wooden boxes were placed over them to ensure they were carefully protected from the work being done in the atrium.
Fun Fact: Did you notice? The Greek god Apollo actually appears twice in Lillian's extensive 1917 renovations. Apollo's statue can be found inside the atrium, and Lillian renamed Spring No. 3 after him as well.
We are fortunate that the majority of Lillian's grand 1917 renovations have survived the last 100 years and hope they survive 100 more! We have much more history to celebrate with you in future blogs!
The mammoth atrium fireplace, faced with a simple red brick surround, as it appeared from 1902-1917. The fireplace opening is quite large and can accommodate logs six to eight feet in length. While no longer used as a heat source, in the early 1900s guests would gather around the massive fireplace to socialize and relax in the atrium.
.Apollo and the Muse Statues
Fun Fact: Did you notice? The Greek god Apollo actually appears twice in Lillian's extensive 1917 renovations. Apollo's statue can be found inside the atrium, and Lillian renamed Spring No. 3 after him as well.
We are fortunate that the majority of Lillian's grand 1917 renovations have survived the last 100 years and hope they survive 100 more! We have much more history to celebrate with you in future blogs!