French Lick, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
French Lick, Indiana
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French Lick Springs Hotel
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Location within Indiana and Orange County
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Orange |
| Township | French Lick |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.82 sq mi (4.72 km2) |
| • Land | 1.82 sq mi (4.72 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 568 ft (173 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,722 |
| • Density | 946.2/sq mi (364.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
47432
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| Area code | 812 |
| FIPS code | 18-25972 |
| GNIS ID | 2396952 |
French Lick is a small town located in Orange County, Indiana, in the United States. In 2020, about 1,722 people lived there. The town is known for its natural springs and its history as a popular resort area.
Contents
History of French Lick
French Lick began as a French trading post. It was built near a special spring and a "salt lick." A salt lick is a place where animals go to lick salt from the ground.
Early Settlement and Springs
In 1811, a strong ranger post was set up near these springs. On an old map from 1837, the area was called Salt Spring. The town of French Lick was officially founded in 1857. Its post office has been open since 1847.
The natural sulfur springs in French Lick were used for health benefits starting in 1840. People believed the water could help with different illnesses. By the late 1800s, French Lick became famous as a "spa town." A spa town is a place where people visit to relax and improve their health using mineral-rich waters.
Famous Visitors and Resort Life
In the early 1900s, French Lick was a popular spot for many famous people. Well-known figures like boxer Joe Louis and composer Irving Berlin visited the town. The French Lick Springs Hotel was a big part of the town's entertainment.
The hotel was a major attraction for many years. It closed for a big update in 2005 and then reopened in 2006.
Pluto Water and Bottling
A famous laxative called Pluto Water was bottled in French Lick. It was very popular in the early 1900s. The town was also home to a large factory that bottled 7 Up soda. This factory stopped working in the mid-1900s.
Important Meetings and Sports
In June 1931, Franklin D. Roosevelt announced his plan to run for president. He made this announcement at a meeting of governors held at the French Lick Springs Hotel.
During World War II, there were rules about travel. Because of this, the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox baseball teams held their spring training in French Lick. This happened from 1943 to 1944. In 1945, the Cubs stayed in French Lick, while the White Sox moved to another town.
In 2015, a major golf tournament, the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, was held at the Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort.
Geography
French Lick covers an area of about 1.77 square miles (4.58 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population Information
French Lick has seen its population change over the years. In 1900, only 260 people lived there. The population grew to over 2,400 in the 1930s. By 2020, the population was 1,722 people.
People in French Lick (2010)
In 2010, there were 1,807 people living in French Lick. There were 764 households, which are groups of people living in one home. About 439 of these were families.
Most of the people in French Lick were White (88.8%). There were also African American (5.8%), Native American (0.3%), and Asian (1.2%) residents. Some people were of more than one race (2.9%). About 2.1% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in French Lick was about 39 years old. About 24% of the residents were under 18 years old. Many households (30.4%) had children under 18 living with them.
Education
French Lick is part of the Springs Valley Community School Corporation. Students in French Lick attend Springs Valley High School for junior and senior high school.
Springs Valley Schools
The Springs Valley school district was created in 1957. This happened when the schools of French Lick and West Baden joined together. French Lick High School started in 1909.
Before the schools combined, French Lick High School's sports teams were called the "Red Devils." Their mascot was based on Pluto, a figure from Greek mythology. The school colors were red and white. French Lick and West Baden Springs high schools used to be big rivals in sports.
The town also has a public library called the Melton Public Library. It's a place where people can borrow books and other materials.
Famous People from French Lick
- Larry Bird: A very famous professional basketball player. He played for Springs Valley High School and became the school's all-time top scorer. He was often called "the Hick from French Lick."
- Jerry Reynolds: A former Sacramento Kings head coach in professional basketball.
Images for kids
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Photo from Small Town Indiana photo survey.
See also
In Spanish: French Lick para niños
