Address: 8670 W State Rd 56, French Lick, IN 47432
Website: frenchlick.com | Phone: (812) 936-9300
A Grand Hotel with a Haunted Past
The French Lick Springs Hotel isn’t just one of Indiana’s most iconic resorts, it’s also one of its most haunted. Nestled in the small town of French Lick, the hotel’s golden-age opulence hides a much darker side filled with whispers, footsteps, and stories of the dearly departed who may never have checked out.
History of the French Lick Springs Hotel
The hotel’s roots trace back to 1845 when Dr. William Bowles opened a small spa to capitalize on the area’s natural sulfur springs. Visitors flocked from across the country to “take the waters,” believed to cure everything from arthritis to depression.
By 1901, former Indianapolis mayor and U.S. Senator Thomas Taggart purchased the property and transformed it into one of the Midwest’s most luxurious destinations. Under his ownership, the French Lick Springs Hotel hosted U.S. Presidents, jazz legends like Louis Armstrong, and Hollywood stars seeking rest and indulgence away from the city glare.
The 1920s brought glamour and vice in equal measure. Hidden rooms allegedly served as speakeasies during Prohibition, and underground gambling thrived despite frequent raids. The hotel’s success endured for decades, though it fell into decline by the mid-1900s. After major renovations, the resort reopened in 2006, restoring its original splendor, while some say reawakening its ghosts.
Ghost Stories and Reported Encounters
Paranormal activity at the French Lick Springs Hotel has been documented for generations. Guests and staff alike have described encounters that defy explanation:
- The Spirit of Thomas Taggart – The former owner is said to linger in the hotel’s halls, often accompanied by the faint scent of cigar smoke. Guests have seen a well-dressed gentleman inspecting the lobby late at night, always vanishing before they can approach.
- The Sixth Floor Hauntings – Considered the most active area of the hotel, the sixth floor has frequent reports of shadowy figures, unexplained cold drafts, and phantom footsteps. Some visitors claim to hear a woman crying from an empty bathroom.
- The Rocking Chairs – On calm evenings, the front porch’s wooden rocking chairs have been seen moving on their own, even when the air is still.
- Disembodied Voices – Security staff have reported muffled conversations in unoccupied ballrooms and the sound of old-fashioned laughter echoing down empty corridors.
Paranormal investigators who’ve visited the hotel, some featured in local Indiana ghost tours and YouTube videos have captured EVPs, thermal anomalies, and unexplained movements of light. Many believe the combination of limestone foundations, historic energy, and the emotional weight of the hotel’s past create a natural environment for hauntings.
Visiting the Hotel Today
The French Lick Springs Hotel remains open to the public as part of the French Lick Resort complex. Guests can enjoy:
- A full-service spa that honors the hotel’s mineral-water origins.
- Guided historical tours of the property.
- Fine dining, golf courses, and access to the nearby West Baden Springs Hotel—another famously haunted site.
If you’re brave enough, request a room on the sixth floor or near the original wing of the building, where most paranormal experiences are said to occur. Whether you come for the architecture or the afterlife, the French Lick Springs Hotel remains one of the most fascinating destinations in the Midwest.
Final Thoughts
We couldn’t believe how the hotel perfectly balances its rich elegance with its ghostly edge. Strolling through the ornate lobby at night, the soft glow of chandeliers flickering against marble columns, you feel as if time itself pauses, waiting for something unseen to stir. It’s a place where history refuses to stay quiet.
Important: Never trespass or explore restricted areas without permission. Ghost hunting can be dangerous, always use caution, stay with others, and respect the property and staff.
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