U.S. Army Hospital

U.S. Army Hospital. . , West Baden has had many different uses through the years. During world war one, the hotel became Army Hospital #35. By the Fall of 1918, troops needing medical aid were returning from war. The U.S. Army aggressively sought out potential sites for hospitals around the United States. West Baden Springs Hotel was ideally suited for such use because of its healing waters, plentiful opportunities for recreation and it was easily reachable by rail. Because of the flu pandemic, new facilities that could serve as army hospitals were in dire need. Almost immediately, renovation of the hotel was started and it was not long before the hotel became known as US Army Hospital #35. , Lillian Sinclair Rexford, Lee Sinclair's daughter, was a gracious and welcoming host to the wounded men. She stayed at the hotel and assisted in nursing the soldiers to good health. Letters found from soldiers housed at West Baden talk fondly of "Miss Lillian" and the luxurious surroundings of the hotel-turned-hospital. It has been said that the posh setting of West Baden played a large role in lifting the spirits of the men. West Baden Springs Hotel served as the Army hospital until April 1919.