The remote southern Indiana location of the West Baden Springs and French Lick resort area made railroad access essential to its prosperity in the late 1880s. The resorts made an agreement with the Monon Railroad that provided direct access to the valley from Chicago, Louisville, and points beyond. At the height of the railroad era, twelve trains served the French Lick and West Baden Springs Hotels each day. Some of the grandest depots along the Monon stood in the valley, including one that once stood on the platform just south of this plaza. Many wealthy visitors from Chicago and the East Coast came to the resort for Kentucky Derby weekend, riding special Monon trains to Louisville and then returning for a relaxing stay. That history is carried on by the Indiana Railway Museum in the remaining historic station between the two hotels, with excursion trips, while a restored trolley links the two hotels along the original tracks.