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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." |
| "Just wanted
to share this picture of Mineral Wells' Baker Hotel. Was sent to our
grandfather L.H. Allard Cement, Oklahoma who was a cook all his life.
His family moved around a lot. 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 |
The Baker Hotel
today
Photo courtesy Mike
Price, December 2007 |
The Baker Hotel
in Dallas
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/ |
St. Anthony Hotel
in San Antonio
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/ |
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).
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Baker Hotel lobby
- Before
Photo courtesy TXDoT |
Baker Hotel lobby
today - at 2 AM
Night photo courtesy Gary Castillo
More Texas
Then and Now |
| 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 |
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.
Book Hotel Here > Mineral
Wells Hotels |
Cactus grows
on the Baker Hotel
Photo courtesy Mike
Price, December 2007 |
Baker Hotel top
Photo courtesy Mike
Price, December 2007 |
Architectural
details
Photo courtesy Mike
Price, December 2007 |
Parting view
of the Baker
Photo courtesy Mike
Price, December 2007 |
One more glance
at the top
Photo courtesy Mike
Price, December 2007 |
Baker Hotel top
Photo courtesy Paul Cox, 2-2-2005 |
Baker Hotel entrance
Photo courtesy Paul Cox, 2-2-2005 |
Baker Hotel front
Photo courtesy Paul Cox, 2-2-2005 |
Baker Hotel interior
Photo courtesy Paul Cox, 2-2-2005 |
Baker Hotel garage
Photo courtesy Paul Cox, 2-2-2005 |
Photographers'
Note:
Subject: Mineral Wells Baker Hotel
Somehow the one with the cactus bothered me. Kind of like the end
of the line. I doubt that this place will ever have another life.
- Mike
Price, December 2007
Subject: 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 |
© John
Troesser
First published 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
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
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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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