West Baden Springs in Orange County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Springs
Hygeia, Apollo, Neptune & Sprudel
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 24, 2021
1. The Springs Marker
West Baden Springs Hotel had four springs on its property; they were numbered in the order they were discovered. Only odd numbers were used to offset the practice at French Lick using even numbers.
Spring No. 1 was renamed Hygeia Spring, based upon the goddess of health in Greek mythology. The word "hygiene" comes from this Greek goddess' name.
Lillian Sinclair Rexford renamed the spring Apollo (originally Spring No. 3) after the Greek god of the sun, prophecy, music, medicine and poetry. She also added the impressive gazebo, which resembles the dome itself, during the 1917 renovation.
Neptune, originally named Spring No. 5, was located near the two-level bike track.
Spring No. 7 (later re-named Sprudel to honor the hotel's mascot), was the strongest pumping out 12 gallons a minute with a production capacity of two thousand barrels of water a day.
Erected by French Lick Resort Historical Walking Tour. (Marker Number 13.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.
Location. 38° 33.968′ N, 86° 37.12′ W. Marker is in West Baden Springs, Indiana, in Orange County. Marker is on West Baden Avenue, ¼ mile west of Broadway Street
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. U.S. Army Hospital (here, next to this marker); Sunken Garden (a few steps from this marker); Seal Fountain (a few steps from this marker); Apollo: Spring No. 3 (within shouting distance of this marker); Sprudel: Spring No. 7 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Ignatius Cemetery (about 500 feet away); Golf Courses (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brick Drive (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Baden Springs.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. West Baden Springs Hotel
Also see . . . West Baden Springs Hotel History.
The biggest draw that kept visitors arriving to the area was the wealth of mineral springs in the area, which many thought had medicinal qualities. The two hotels marketed their respective minerals springs as their main attractions, going as far as to bottle it for distribution. West Baden Springs Hotel specifically branded its own liquid as “Sprudel Water” with a gnome serving as the mascot.(Submitted on April 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Marker detail: The Springs
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 24, 2021
3. The Springs Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
