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Vintage Postcards of Indiana Health FacilitiesJohn A. Lane, a physician and patent-medicine salesman, opened a hotel around 1852 at the southern Indiana settlement of Mile Lick. In 1855, the community was renamed West Baden after Baden-Baden, a spa in Germany known for its mineral springs. In 1888, Wiley %u201cColonel%u201d Sinclair and E.R. Rhodes acquired the original hotel, as well as 667 acres of land, for $23,000. Three years later, in 1891, the hotel was destroyed by fire%u2014and was rebuilt. Over several years, Sinclair became its sole owner. An 1894 publication noted the local water, eventually called Sprudel (German for %u201ceffervescent water%u201d or %u201csparkling spring water%u201d) was alleged to cure more than fifty ailments. These included such conditions as %u201cflux and dysentery, diarrhea, typhoid fever, stomach irritation of the bowels, eczema, tetter, chronic erysipelas, and %u201cblood poisoning.%u201d In a promotional brochure from the early 1900s, Sprudel sold for 32-cents for a quart bottle. The Colonel%u2019s hotel was again claimed by fire on June 14, 1901. Once more, he set out to build a new one%u2014but this time, on a much grander scale. It would have a massive circular shape, with a 200- foot dome over a vast central open area. And, it would be fireproof. Most builders rejected his plans, but a bridge engineer was able to design the dome%u2019s trusses. On September 15, 1902, the striking edifice, with most guest rooms having one or two twin beds and no bathroom, opened to rave reviews. Sinclair promoted it as the Carlsbad of America as well as the Eighth Wonder of the World. In 1934, the Jesuits acquired the hotel and converted it into West Baden College%u2014a seminary. On November 2, 1966, it was purchased by Northwood Institute, with a curriculum centered on hospitality management. Listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1987, it was later acquired by the Cook family of Bloomington who supervised an extensive renovation, and reopened the resort on November 3, 2006.West Baden Springs Hotel%u2014%u2014West Baden, Indiana%u2014%u2014Established 1855Notable guests included Paul Dresser (who composed %u201cOn the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away%u201d at the hotel,boxers John L. Sullivan and James J. Corbett, Diamond Jim Brady, Al Capone, Chicago mayor %u201cBig Bill%u201d Thompson,New York governor Al Smith, General John J. Pershing, writer George Ade, the Chicago Cubs, and the St. Louis Cardinals.Sanitariums and Spas