West Baden, Indiana: Carlsbad of America: Self-Supporting Dome

1900s health spa for the wealthy, with cleansing natural springs. Giant dome "floats" on ball bearings. Revived and restored 4-star hotel.

There is a monstrous hotel in south-central Indiana built in the early 1900s as a health spa for the wealthy. There were several natural springs on the grounds for people to "cleanse" their bad habits away.

The dome of the building is unique in that it "floats" on ball bearings. It is so large a dome, that it is an engineering marvel that it even remains standing!

After years of neglect the hotel fell into disrepair. One of the outer walls collapsed completely, endangering the entire building. This spurred local people and historians to save it.

The atrium (the huge entire center of the building/dome that would hold at least two football fields easily) has been completely renovated, as well as the lighted entrance arch, the grand entrance hall, office, dining room and some hallways, right down to the real gold leaf columns. The grounds have been manicured and planted with hundreds bulbs and bushes, all by volunteers.