French Lick Indiana, Home of Larry Bird!
Spa at French Lick
French Lick , Indiana located in south central Indiana, in modern times has become known as the home of Larry Bird, one of the best basketball players of all time! Entering the town it is evident that Larry Bird lived here, every store in town has souvenirs from his playing days, even the street leading into Springs Valley High School is appropriately named ,Larry Bird Boulevard.
However it has a long and colored history, it was originally founded in 1811 as a French trading post. It's first claim to fame arose from the sulfur springs that abound there, from that it became known as a spa town. By the early 20th century casinos sprang up and the town became the hangout and hiding place of such notables as Joe Louis, Irving Berlin, Al Capone, and John Dillinger.
During World War 2 , it became the spring training camp of the Chicago White Sox, as travel was restricted due to the rationing of fuel.
French Lick Springs became the focal point of southern Indiana, it was originally opened as a resort ,closed for remodeling in 2005 and reopened as part of the French Lick Resort Casino.
Franklin Roosevelt once announced his intention to run for President while staying at the hotel , and Pluto water, a well known laxative was first bottled here!
Another famous attraction in the area is the town of Santa Claus, which features an amusement park and thousands of kids every year receive mail from Santa Claus bearing the town's famous post mark!
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