The Geico lizard. The Energizer Bunny. Dos Equis beer's "Most Interesting Man in the World."
It's advertising at its best. From Subway and its $5 footlongs to iPhone spots with their minimalist visuals and catchy tunes, we're surrounded by masterful marketing. It's hard to imagine that existing 75 to 100 years ago. But how else do you explain the fact that people planned entire vacations around visiting French Lick and West Baden to drink the sulphur-based water with that, um, interesting taste?
Make no mistake, they knew their marketing stuff back then. We uncovered some old advertisements from back in the day, and they're a fun blast from the past in revealing how they sold guests on the French Lick/West Baden experience decades ago.
This one from the 1940s is a classic. We're not exactly sure what a "friend wife" is. Or if we'd be willing to try a Pluto Highball (even if it only cost a dime). Maybe sulphur-based mineral water and liquor will be one of those funky retro cocktails that comes back in style...
(Courtesy of "Pluto in the Valley: The History of the French Lick Springs Hotel" by Patrick O'Brian)
Always amazing to see the rates from back in the day. A week's stay with premium accommodations for 35 bucks? Yes, please.
Actually, in this era a week's vacation might have been considered a short stay. Since French Lick Springs Hotel built a reputation as being the place to rest and rejuvenate, extended visits were the norm and the average length of visit at the resort was two to six weeks.
"Pluto Water cureth a multitude of ills." Interesting how some of French Lick Springs Hotel's attractions (golf, horseback riding, outdoor recreation) haven't changed from nearly 100 years ago, yet "sanitary arrangements" were a feature worth touting back then.
French Lick Springs Hotel garnered the type of reputation that made products like Meadow Gold butter want to associate themselves with the French Lick brand.
Here's some help with the fine print at the top of the ad:
"Here in the untroubled atmosphere of a gorgeous country estate, you enjoy the good rest and good fun of a world-famous spa. What food that makes gourmets gather from everywhere on earth! Naturally in a setting like this you find you're served Meadow Gold Butter. And Meadow Gold Butter is yours to enjoy at home, too; for it's as near as your neighborhood food store! Try a wonderful treat today. Try Meadow Gold, the butter French Lick serves!"
French Lick and West Baden gained a national footprint even before the rise of commercial aviation: Note the train service from New York City.
The "magic" of Pluto Water, explained. (It was promised as non-habit forming. Fortunately.)
There's more where these classic ads came from. We dug up a few more to share in another blog, so check back soon for the second wave!
It's advertising at its best. From Subway and its $5 footlongs to iPhone spots with their minimalist visuals and catchy tunes, we're surrounded by masterful marketing. It's hard to imagine that existing 75 to 100 years ago. But how else do you explain the fact that people planned entire vacations around visiting French Lick and West Baden to drink the sulphur-based water with that, um, interesting taste?
Make no mistake, they knew their marketing stuff back then. We uncovered some old advertisements from back in the day, and they're a fun blast from the past in revealing how they sold guests on the French Lick/West Baden experience decades ago.
(Courtesy of "Pluto in the Valley: The History of the French Lick Springs Hotel" by Patrick O'Brian)
Actually, in this era a week's vacation might have been considered a short stay. Since French Lick Springs Hotel built a reputation as being the place to rest and rejuvenate, extended visits were the norm and the average length of visit at the resort was two to six weeks.
Here's some help with the fine print at the top of the ad:
"Here in the untroubled atmosphere of a gorgeous country estate, you enjoy the good rest and good fun of a world-famous spa. What food that makes gourmets gather from everywhere on earth! Naturally in a setting like this you find you're served Meadow Gold Butter. And Meadow Gold Butter is yours to enjoy at home, too; for it's as near as your neighborhood food store! Try a wonderful treat today. Try Meadow Gold, the butter French Lick serves!"
The "magic" of Pluto Water, explained. (It was promised as non-habit forming. Fortunately.)
There's more where these classic ads came from. We dug up a few more to share in another blog, so check back soon for the second wave!