There is a wonderful hotel here in Indiana that is well worth checking out.. the history on the hotel is amazing.. the fireplace is a custom made Rookwood .. here is a link to my Me page with a large picture of the fireplace.. Just click the picture of the hotel to read about the history.. the restoration is about 75% complete...

West Baden Hotel

I have been to this hotel - the domed central section is truly amazing.

-- Carol

I love how the dome of the hotel has all of these girders.. set on wheels.. so they roll with the expansion and contraction of the roof..

I have to tell you this quick story..

The old man that built the hotel had a huge crowd turn out as the scaffold was removed from the interior (supporting the dome). He was so confident in the design that he stood on the roof as the workmen were removing it.. The crowd turned out.. not for the grand opening, but rather to see the building collapse as the scaffold was removed.. they thought they were in for a show!