Who Owns French Lick Resort?

French Lick Resort is a popular destination in Indiana that boasts of two grand hotels, a casino, and various amenities. But, have you ever wondered who owns French Lick Resort? In this article, we will explore the ownership history of this famous resort and its current owners.

The Early Days

The history of French Lick Resort dates back to the early 19th century when the first hotel was built on the site. The hotel changed hands several times over the years until Thomas Taggart, a prominent politician from Indiana, purchased it in 1901. Taggart was instrumental in transforming the hotel into a luxurious destination for wealthy people from all over the country.

The Cook Family Era

In 1929, Ed Ballard, a businessman from Indiana, purchased French Lick Springs Hotel but lost it during the Great Depression. The hotel was then bought by Lee Sinclair’s Sinclair Oil Corporation in 1934. However, Sinclair decided to sell it to another Indiana businessman named Tom Taggart Jr., who was Thomas Taggart’s son.

Tom Jr. owned French Lick Resort until his death in 1945 when it was sold to Miami Beach developer Ben Jaffe. Jaffe owned it for several years before selling it to the Cook family in 1955.

The Current Owners

The Cook family still owns French Lick Resort today. Bill Cook and his wife Gayle purchased the resort from Bill’s father and have since then invested millions of dollars into renovations and expansions.

In recent years, the Cooks have added new amenities such as a casino, golf courses, spas, and restaurants to make French Lick Resort an even more attractive destination for visitors. They have also preserved its historic charm by restoring original features like murals and furniture.

Overall, French Lick Resort has had an interesting ownership history with various prominent figures owning it over the years. But, it is now in good hands with the Cook family who have invested their time and money into making it a world-class destination.