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A beautiful day for a drive to tour the countryside of Kentucky and Indiana. We head off for the resort town of French Lick. First we hop aboard the tourist railroad and see the scenery. Then off to the grand hotels.
The area called French Lick, Indiana, site of the French Lick Springs Resort and one of the earliest outposts in the middle - Western wilderness, was first settled more than 200 years ago by French traders.
After the discovery of rich mineral springs, which attracted animals that flocked to lick the waters and wet rocks, this valley became known among the settlers as “The Lick”.
A rich colorful history included such famous names as John Barrymore, Clark Gable, Bing Crosby, President Roosevelt, the Truman’s, the Reagan’s and Joe and Rose Kennedy. It was there in 1931 that Franklin Roosevelt rounded up support at a Democratic governor’s conference for his party’s presidential nomination. In 1832, all the lands surrounding the accrual mineral springs, which has been reserved for production of salt, was offered for public sale.
About 1,500 acres - including all the large springs - were purchased and within several years opened the first French
Lick Springs Hotel in 1845.
Rumor has it that gangsters such as Al Capone frequented the hotels and casinos here, and that the direct railway from French Lick to Chicago supplied an excellent express trip for so many of the Chicago gangs, that if they were to meet up in French Lick, they would call a truce to their wars, and rest in peace until back in Chicago.
It now has a fantastic golf course with PGA Tournaments, excellent steakhouse, and views to die for!
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