05/29/2026
May is National Historic Preservation Month, a time to celebrate structures, sites and culture from our past. In Orange County, one of the eight most outstanding structures in Paoli, The Mineral Springs, is beginning to start a new life.
Springs Of Hope In Paoli, a group seeking non profit status which purchased the structure, will offer the public a hands-on opportunity to assist in saving the building June 6 from 9 to 12 when volunteers will begin cleaning up around the exterior and are accepting donations toward the multi-million dollar project through their page.
Until Springs Of Hope In Paoli attains non profit status, Saving Historic Orange County, a 20-year-old local non profit preservation group is serving as the fiscal sponsor for grant funding. Two grants have been awarded and checks were presented by SHOC officers this week. An Efroymson Family Fund grant of $3000 will assist in drying up moisture and removing wet debris created after a tornado lifted the roof away. A second grant of $4000, awarded by Indiana Landmarks, is allowing the group to contract an architectural firm to design a new roof.
Saving Historic Orange County, whose first public meeting was in the dining room at The Mineral Springs 20 years ago, has provided a donation to assist with restoration work, too.
For years, the deteriorating condition of the structure has remained on the radar for both SHOC and Indiana Landmarks. The Mineral Springs has twice been on Indiana Landmarks 10 Most Endangered List.
Built in 1895 by a local group of investors, The Mineral Springs Hotel, in the Paoli National Register Historic District, is considered Outstanding, the top National Register rating for historic properties.
Photographed below are Dr. Sean Sales, center, president of the board of Springs Of Hope In Paoli, who accepted grant funds and a donation from SHOC. Making the presentation are two SHOC officers, Karen Padgett, left and Terry Cornwell, right.
(Photo by Brenda Cornwell)
