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ROOMS
WITH A PAST
- TEXAS HOTELS BUILT BEFORE 1950
c. 1929
Wyatt C. Hendrick and Co. Architects
by Johnny Stucco
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| "Just
wanted to share this picture of Mineral Wells' Baker Hotel. Was sent
to our grandfather L.H. Allard Cement, Oklahoma whom was a cook all
his life. His family moved around allot. Post card was from Gillard
which said come could use a good capable cook,dated by mail Jan. 23,
1942." - Sheri Miller, October 14, 2006 |
Baker Hotel
lobby
Photo courtesy TXDoT |
The
Baker was built by hotel magnate T. B. Baker who already owned the
Baker in Dallas and the Saint Anthony in San Antonio. The Crazy Well
Hotel AKA The Crazy Hotel
had proven that the business was there in Mineral Wells. When the
Crazy burned in 1925 - a more lavish hotel was planned with twice
the number of stories of the Crazy and more than twice the number
of rooms.
The "new" Crazy - rebuilt on the foundations of the old - had 7 stories
and 200 rooms compared to the Baker's 14 stories and 450 rooms. The
Baker had 11 floors for rooms with space for 50 "apartments" above
the main roofline. These premium rooms had the benefit of the rooftop
"solarium."
The Baker was modeled after the Arlington Hotel which still operates
in Hot Springs, Arkansas - also built by Wyatt Hendrick. The Baker
opened it's doors just two weeks after the stock market crash of 1929.
It filed for bankruptcy in 1932, but new owners kept the building
open. It served as military dependent quarters from 1941 to 1944 and
remained open until 1963.
It reopened briefly from 1965-1972 but the doors have been shut since
then. |
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The
Baker Hotel c. 1948
TE Postcard Archives |
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The
Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs, Arkansas
TE Postcard Archives |
The public's taste, increased mobility and changing values made the
Baker a relic of an earlier age. It was a lively place while it was
open, though, with celebraties like Will Rogers, Tom Mix, Marlene
Dietrich, Jean Harlow, Helen Keller and even the Three Stooges (Shemp,
however, was reportedly asked to stay elsewhere). One brochure states
that it was the 2nd hotel in the U.S. to have a pool - but that seems
unlikely.
Entertainers that performed at the Baker included Lawrence Welk, Pat
Boone, Mary Martin, Judy Garland and Paul Whiteman (and his orchestra).
The building has
been described by various writers as "The Grand old Lady of Mineral
Wells," "a red-topped UFO,"and a "cathedral." Prof. Jay Henry, author
of Texas Architecture 1895-1945 unsentimentally calls it "essentially
a slab of guest rooms with public spaces at the base." The one thing
that is agreed upon is the hotel's dominance of the Mineral Wells
skyline. |
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A
bird's-eye view c. 1948
TE Postcard Archives |
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For
Sale: 250 rooms, 300 bath, good view, water paid
TE photo, 1998 |
Mr.
Baker had his 3 bedroom, five-bath apartment on the 7th floor. A place
that is reportedly haunted by the
ghost of his mistress. Even today, with it's ghosts, broken windows
and bats, it's easy to imagine the hotel's salad days in the 1930s
when anyone with $35 dollars could get a week's stay with baths, massages
and all the water they could keep down.
The Crazy Hotel, once reduced
to second-class status by the Baker, has had the last laugh, since
it remains open. It is currently in use as a retirement home. The
Baker remains in good shape despite a leaking roof and is still on
the market - perhaps the biggest real estate white elephant in Texas.
Mineral
Wells Hotels >
Book Your Hotel Here & Save |
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Baker
Hotel entrance
Photo courtesy Paul Cox, 2-2-2005 |
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Baker
Hotel front
Photo courtesy Paul Cox, 2-2-2005 |
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Baker
Hotel interior
Photo courtesy Paul Cox, 2-2-2005 |
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Baker
Hotel top
Photo courtesy Paul Cox, 2-2-2005 |
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Baker
Hotel garage
Photo courtesy Paul Cox, 2-2-2005 |
©
John Troesser
August 2002
Baker Hotel
Forum:
Subject:
Baker Hotel Piano
Dear TE, I have the 1928 William Knabe 5' 8" Grand Piano out of
the lobby of the Baker Hotel, in Mineral Wells. It must be haunted.
I have had it for 20 years and cannot get anyone to even come and
look at it. Something is up. I now have it for sale and would really
like to get it out of my home. Help please. - Michael Anderson,
Weatherford, Texas (817) 596-0550, November 16, 2006
Mineral
Well's Baker Hotel
Dear TE: I am trying to contact your contributors Bob Hopkins, Jason
Grant, [or anyone] with information on the Baker Hotel in Mineral
Wells. The building has become something of an obsession for me,
and I'm planning on making a documentary film. The problem is- the
historical society / chamber of commerce/ city council pretty much
refuse comment on or [provide information] about the hotel. I was
told the owner lives in Arizona and is "tired of dealing with the
hotel" so I am hoping that some of your readers might put me in
contact with someone who has access to the building. The Baker is
too important to North Texas history, and too beautiful to have
its doors closed forever. Anyone who can provide information on
the hotel, please contact me at: texas.rambler@yahoo.com, - Jessica
Golden, Grapevine, Texas, September 01, 2006
Baker Hotel
Lobby
etc.
I saw the articles on the Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells on your site
about a month ago when a friend mentioned that he would like to
go see the town. I have always been interested in grand old buildings
and so I brought along my camera to take some pics.
I was able to get a pic of what the lobby looks like today by adjusting
my camera settings and holding it right up to the glass on the front
doors. It is easy to imagine what it looked like in its heyday (which
makes its current state all the more poignant). I also took a picture
of what used to be the hotel's garage across the street. As you
can see, the "B" is clearly visible over the doors.
I hope that the town decides to do something with it as it is a
beautiful building. Unfortunately, from the current state of the
rest of the town, that may not be an option. Thanks, - Paul Cox,
Dallas, TX, February 26, 2005
I would just
like you to know that the Hotel has been closed by the Fire Marshall.
I guess due to the lack of up to date fire prevention.
When I was there looking at the out side of the building I felt
like I was back in time. It is wonderful to look at and it seemed
to draw me near to it. I wanted to go in some how. I hope that they
will reopen it to tours at least. I will continue to look on your
web site to see any new info on the Baker Hotel. Thanks - Bobbie
Taylor, Houston, December 26, 2003
Mineral
Wells Hotels >
Book Your Hotel Here & Save
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I certainly
enjoyed Jason
Grant's photos of this old hotel. Last July, after leaving Alexander,
I saw this shot looming on the horizon. So as we topped the next
hill I shot this picture from about 5 miles south of the building.
Just another view of a part of the once magical era of Crazy Water
Crystals. - Ken Rudine, October 21, 2005
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Getting
There
See Mineral
Wells, Texas
Palo Pinto County, Texas Panhandle
US 281 - 90 miles South of Wichita
Falls
US 180 - 48 miles West of Fort
Worth,
80 miles West of Dallas
Mineral Wells Tourist Information:
Mineral Wells Chamber of Commerce
511 E. Hubbard St., Mineral Wells, Texas 76068
(1-800-252-MWTX)
Mineral
Wells Hotels >
Book Your Hotel Here & Save |
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