09/03/2026
Sept 1929 to the completion of the Mt. Airie Mansion ⛰️🏨
Long before it became an iconic landmark overlooking The Pete Dye Course, Mt. Airie was home to Buerk's Observatory, a 100-foot tower that offered breathtaking views of Southern Indiana. Legend has it that on a clear day, visitors could see all the way to Louisville through the observatory's 12-foot telescope.
After purchasing French Lick Springs Hotel in 1901, Thomas Taggart reimagined the site, replacing the tower with a stately brick residence inspired by the family's home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. Built for his son, Thomas D. Taggart, and completed in September 1929, the mansion quickly became known for its underground tunnels, hidden passageways, widow's walk and other intriguing architectural details.
Today, the beautifully restored property, now known as The Mansion at Pete Dye, continues to captivate guests with panoramic views stretching up to 40 miles across the Hoosier countryside. Whether stopping in for lunch, cocktails or the ever-popular Sunset Dinner, visitors can experience a piece of French Lick Resort history while taking in one of the most spectacular vistas in Indiana.