French Lick Springs Hotel

Built in 1845 and rebuilt to its current grandeur in 1901, the French Lick Springs Hotel was the brainchild of Dr. William Bowles, who sought to capitalize on the area’s natural mineral springs, believed to have healing properties. The springs, dubbed “Pluto Water” for their sulfuric smell and supposed otherworldly healing powers, drew visitors from across the country seeking cures for various ailments.

During the early 1900s, the hotel reached its zenith under the ownership of Thomas Taggart, former mayor of Indianapolis and Democratic National Chairman. Taggart transformed the property into an opulent resort that attracted America’s elite, including politicians, celebrities, and wealthy socialites. His business acumen and political connections made French Lick Springs Hotel a hub of political dealings and high-society gatherings.

Perhaps fittingly, it is Taggart’s spirit that is said to be the most prominent supernatural resident of the hotel. Staff and guests regularly report encounters with his ghost, particularly in the service areas and old dining room. The smell of his trademark cigar smoke often wafts through the halls, even though smoking is now prohibited in the building. Security guards have reported seeing his apparition riding the service elevator late at night, supposedly still checking on hotel operations decades after his death in 1929.

The sixth floor has become notorious for paranormal activity. Guests frequently report hearing the sounds of children playing in the hallways late at night, only to find empty corridors when they investigate. These phantom children are believed to be connected to the hotel’s history as a destination for families seeking healing from the mineral springs. Some visitors have even reported being tucked into bed by unseen hands, a motherly gesture from an unknown spirit.

One of the most active areas is the hotel’s elegant ballroom, where staff members have witnessed chairs moving on their own and the grand piano playing mysterious melodies when no one is near. During renovation work in the early 2000s, construction workers reported tools disappearing and reappearing in different locations, and the sounds of phantom parties emanating from the empty ballroom.

The hotel’s basement, which once housed the mineral spring bathing facilities, is particularly rich in supernatural activity. Visitors have reported seeing misty figures in early 1900s bathing attire, and the sounds of splashing water and conversations echo through the now-empty spaces. The distinct sulfuric smell of Pluto Water occasionally becomes overwhelming in specific areas, even though the springs are no longer actively used.

A particularly fascinating phenomenon occurs in the hotel’s magnificent atrium. Guests and staff have reported seeing a “Lady in Blue,” believed to be the spirit of a guest from the 1920s, descending the grand staircase in an elegant evening gown. She is often seen during the early morning hours, and her appearance is said to be so realistic that witnesses initially mistake her for a living person in period costume.

The hotel’s rich gambling history has also left its paranormal mark. During the 1920s and 1930s, the hotel operated an illegal casino, and security guards have reported hearing the phantom sounds of slot machines, rolling dice, and boisterous conversation emanating from the areas where the casino once operated. Some guests have even reported dreams of winning at games of chance, only to wake and find vintage casino chips on their nightstands that mysteriously disappear by morning.

The historic service tunnels beneath the hotel, once used by staff to move discreetly throughout the property, are said to be particularly active with supernatural energy. Maintenance workers report hearing footsteps following them through the tunnels, and some have experienced unexplained cold spots and the sensation of being watched.

Modern paranormal investigations have yielded compelling evidence. Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) recordings have captured what appears to be Taggart’s voice giving directions to staff, and thermal imaging cameras have detected unexplained cold spots throughout the building. Motion sensors regularly trigger in empty rooms, and cameras occasionally capture mysterious orbs and shadows.

The hotel’s spa, built over one of the original mineral springs, continues to be a hotspot for supernatural activity. Guests report seeing figures in vintage spa attire walking through walls where treatment rooms once existed, and massage therapists have experienced unexplained cold touches while working on clients.

Today, the French Lick Springs Hotel embraces its haunted history while maintaining its status as a luxury resort. The hotel offers historical tours that include tales of its supernatural residents, and the staff keeps detailed records of guest encounters with the paranormal. The property’s recent $382 million restoration has seemingly stirred up even more ghostly activity, as if the spirits approve of the effort to return their home to its former glory.

What makes the French Lick Springs Hotel unique among haunted locations is the benign nature of its supernatural activity. Rather than malevolent or frightening encounters, most experiences reflect the hotel’s grand history – phantom parties, spectral guests enjoying the amenities, and the watchful presence of Thomas Taggart ensuring his beloved hotel maintains its high standards.

For visitors today, the French Lick Springs Hotel offers a rare opportunity to step back in time while potentially experiencing encounters with its supernatural residents. Whether staying in one of its historic rooms, dining in its elegant restaurants, or simply exploring its magnificent architecture, guests find themselves immersed in both the literal and spiritual remnants of America’s Golden Age of grand hotels.

The hotel stands as a testament to both architectural preservation and supernatural persistence, where the past and present seamlessly intertwine. For those interested in paranormal investigation or simply seeking a unique historical experience, the French Lick Springs Hotel provides a perfect blend of luxury accommodations and ghostly encounters, making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in America’s haunted heritage.