A couple of weeks ago, a series of storms tore through my corner of Indiana with a vengeance. My home was spared, but others weren’t so lucky. An old schoolhouse near Lapel took a hard hit, and buildings across the region -barns, sheds, and dwellings- were left damaged or destroyed. The winds also howled through eastern Madison County. Ripping through Camp Chesterfield, they toppled a piece of history: the vintage neon sign of the Western Hotel.
Camp Chesterfield is a spiritualist camp, a home for those who believe that a person’s awareness continues after death and can be contacted by the living1. As the movement flourished in Indiana, the need for a dedicated gathering place became clear. In 1888, Dr. John Westerfield and his followers took a bold step by founding the Indiana Association of Spiritualists, Incorporated in Anderson2.
Later that year, the group gathered beneath the trees just north of Chesterfield in a quiet riverside grove owned by Carroll and Emily Bronnenberg. The meeting sparked something enduring: with generous support from the Bronnenbergs, the group secured the 34-acre property in 18923. Camp Chesterfield was born.
In its early days, Camp Chesterfield was little more than a patchwork of humble buildings like a dining hall, a lodge, a tent auditorium, two séance cabins, a simple entry arch, and a gatehouse4. As word spread and visitors flocked to the riverside sanctuary, though, the need for more space became clear. In 1914, the Sunflower Hotel rose to meet that demand, offering a more permanent place for guests to stay. Even that wasn’t enough. In 1921, its twin -the Lily- was dedicated across the way5.
After World War II, a renewed wave of interest in spiritualism brought even more visitors to Camp Chesterfield. With them came a pressing need for more lodging. In 1945, camp officials unveiled ambitious plans for a new $75,000 hotel: the Grand. Designed in a L-shape, the brick-and-cement structure would boast seventy rooms with both its wings featuring a commanding 175-foot frontage6.
The final result turned out differently. Completed in 1947, the new building -eventually named the Western Hotel- featured just thirty-two sleeping rooms, along with baths and a spacious dining hall. Though smaller than envisioned, it was still seen as a valuable addition to the community. Members of the Anderson Chamber of Commerce attended a celebratory dinner that praised the hotel as a countywide improvement that expanded local lodging options7.
Today, the Western Hotel stands as a prime example of mid-century American roadside architecture8. Built from concrete with a brick veneer, the building rests on a sturdy block foundation. The Western’s distinctive features include its flat roof, wraparound porch, and that fantastic vintage sign. At least, it did. On April 3rd, fierce winds ripped it from its perch and sent it crashing to the ground. A piece of history was lost in the blink of an eye.
In the immediate aftermath of the storm, Camp Chesterfield turned to the community by calling on members for financial support to help recover and rebuild. A day later, the camp announced a heartfelt thank you, writing on Facebook that it was “overwhelmed with gratitude” for the community’s support. “It’s truly heartwarming to see how much our community cares about this cherished piece of our history. The Neon [sic] sign is more than just a colorful landmark; it represents the spirit and vibrancy of our community, and together, we’re preserving its legacy9!”
With that, there’s a glimmer of hope amid the wreckage. For longtime visitors and first-time guests alike, the return of the sign would be more than just a repair: its revival would speak to the spirit of the camp itself: resilient, radiant, and ready to shine again.
Donate to Camp Chesterfield here.
Sources Cited
1 Melton, J.G. (2001). Encyclopedia of Occultism & Parapsychology. Vol 2. Gale Group [Farmington Hills]. Book.
2 National Register of Historic Places, Chesterfield Spiritualist Camp District, Chesterfield, Madison County, Indiana. National Register #02000192.
3 (See footnote 2).
4 (See footnote 2).
5 “New Lily” For Hotel (1921, July 31). The Anderson Herald. p. 1.
6 New Chesterfield Hotel (1947, October 18). The Anderson Daily Bulletin. p. 13.
7 (See footnote 2).
8 (See footnote 2).
9 Camp Chesterfield. Camp Chesterfield. (2025, April 4). A Heartfelt **THANK YOU** to Our Amazing Community! We are overwhelmed with gratitude for your incredible support and love for [Status update]. Facebook.
It’s always sad when something irreplaceable is damaged by a storm.
Right. I missed seeing the damaged sign down by the pylons, but it’s a big loss for that community.