Bedford Springs Hotel – Returned to Original Splendor!

Imagine how sad we were when we drove past the Bedford Springs Hotel in 2003 and saw it looking like this:

We hadn't known of it's existence before we were driving around Bedford PA, and when we stumbled upon the crumbling place, well it was like something out of a movie.

The Shining.

I wrote of it at the time:

Alas, the Bedford Springs Hotel, - President James Buchanan's summer White House in the late 1850s is closed and a bit decrepit, but like Miss Haversham, you could see she was a grand dame in her day.

So you can imagine our surprise when we were there this summer 2009, and saw THIS:

OK so those aren't our photos, but as you can see, the place looks much spiffier than it did the last time we visited!

The Bedford Springs site has a long and rich history because of the natural water springs in the area. The hotel building was built in 1905 and was one of the first indoor pools in the nation to be constructed, complete with a mineral water-fed swimming pool, solarium and hydrotherapy rooms. In 1923 renowned golf course architect Donald Ross remodeled Bedford Springs' 18-hole golf course, and a total of 10 US presidents were hosted by the resort, including visits by seven presidents during their time in office. In 1984, the resort was designated a National Historic Landmark and it closed its doors two years later.

In 2003 we obviously saw the place at it's lowest point, but today I'm glad to read:

In 2004, the resort embarked upon an unprecedented restoration and expansion effort. Returned to its original splendor in 2007, Bedford Springs Resort is the perfect blend of the past and the future

While the place is much fancier than the digs we're usually used to on vacation, I am more than thrilled that the place is looking as beautiful as it does. When we were there we saw a wedding party getting their photos taken, golfers heading towards the green, and the place bustling with activity.

Hooray for places being returned to their original splendor!