WEST BADEN SPRINGS, Ind. (AP) -- All 1,000 seats have been taken for a black-tie gala later this month marking the reopening of southern Indiana's landmark West Baden Springs Hotel.

   The century-old hotel, which features a 110-foot-high domed atrium, reopened in May after a $90 million, nearly two-year restoration as part of the project building the nearby French Lick casino.

   Tina Connor, executive vice president of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, said the $250 tickets went quickly for the June 23 gala in the hotel's atrium, which will include honoring William and Gayle Cook for their work backing the restoration.

   The landmarks foundation held a celebration at the hotel in 1998 marking the first phase of the restoration, which came after the Cooks invested millions of dollars in the hotel after it had been empty for more than 20 years.

   "It was quite a memorable affair," Connor said. "People were

still asking us, 'Are we going to do that again?"'

   Paoli dentist Mike VanEmon said he planned to attend the event to be part of history for the area about 50 miles south of Bloomington.

   "I've lived in Paoli now for almost 30 years and I remember going down to the dome when it was very dilapidated," he said. "I was always intrigued with it and then to see it restored in the manner it has been restored, it is really exciting to have that happen."

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   Information from: The Times-Mail, http://www.tmnews.com

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