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The
Settles (Sans Signage)
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2009 |
| Completed
just as the Great Depression was beginning, the Settles is said to have cost $500,000.
The Settles Hotel was built by Mr. and Mrs. Settles – the most unlikely “Mom and
Pop” in the annals of Texas business. Poor, until oil was discovered on their
land, the Settles gave Big Spring the biggest hotel
between Ft. Worth and El
Paso. The 1930 date over the entrance is a rare one in Texas
architecture. |
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In 2006 the Settles
was brought for a mere $75,000. The project was to restore the building to its
former glory and in doing so, riding the city of what some considered an eyesore.
The groundbreaking for the restoration was on August 21, 2008 with a planned
completion date of March 2010.
In the 1990s the building looked much worse
– with scores of broken windows and pigeons nesting in the vacant rooms. Someone
came up with a clever program where local business and individuals could sponsor
the replacement of windows which was quickly done.
Today, the hotel is
being restored by Big Spring native G. Brint Ryan.
According to the restorer’s website, the asbestos has been removed along with
700 tons of the building’s interior - some of which was removed by explosive demolition.
Artifacts long
missing have been returned – including a vintage phone booth, one of the registration
desks and even the centerpiece chandelier which has been held (in safe keeping)
by the Big Spring Heritage Museum.
But what about the missing sign? Good news. The letters have been measured and
will be used as templates for new signage. The name will once again appear on
the Big Spring skyline (the hotel is the Big
Spring skyline).
Further information is available from the restorer’s
website: www.settleshotel.com
|
| | | | The
Settles Hotel
TE postcard archives | The
Settles Hotel today
TE photo, 2001 | Settles
Hotel and neon
TE photo, 2001 |
Big
Spring with The Settles Hotel in the center
Photo courtesy Doyle Phillips
/ FotoGrafica |
Howard
County Courthouse.
Note Hotel Settles on the right.
Postcard courtesy
www.rootsweb.com/%7Etxpstcrd/ | |
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