Mineral Wells, Texas is known for their mineral water or “crazy water”. In this small town just west of Fort Worth, business was booming. People were traveling from near and far hoping to get their hands on this water that claimed to heal them of their ailments. After money was raised in a community effort, ground breaking began for what would be known as the Baker Hotel in 1926.
The hotel was magnificent, so they say. It did hold the first swimming pool at a hotel in Texas after all. Once completed in 1929, the structure would be 14 stories high, 450 guest rooms, two ballrooms, a bowling alley, gymnasium and of course the pool. Cost: $1.2 million (in 1929). The lights and fans were all controlled by the room key, ice water circulated to all of the guest rooms, valet laundry was available. The hotel prospered, visited by celebrities (Lucille Ball) and Presidents alike (Lyndon B. Johnson).
Over the years, the hotel changed owners (and investors) and slowly declined in business. At one time, the Baker hotel housed infantry soldiers when Fort Wolters opened nearby. In 1979, the hotel closed doors for the last time and has since been sitting vacant and the victim of vandalism.
If you research news the hotel, you will see there are plans of a renovation although I’m sure it was cost a unimaginable sum. You will also find photos from within the building. There’s also been numerous ghost hunters who have visited this hotel. Keep in mind, many people who were sick with disease and dying came to this hotel in hopes of a cure – some never left.
Today, if driving through Mineral Wells, it’s hard to miss this monster of a building. It towers above all. You can stop, walk around the building and take photos however it’s marked no trespassing. The pool sits next to the hotel, lifeguard stand is still there, waiting for new visitors.
Have you ever visited or driven by the Baker Hotel? Do you know of any stories?
I LOVE this building! I really hope that the renovation happens…such a shame that it has been vandalized.
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I spoke to someone while I was in town and I believe they said they were either going to start renovations this fall or next year (don’t quote me). I would’ve loved walking in there when it was open back in it’s hay-day. Now, I think I’d just be freaked out haha.
I had to pin this as a future motorcycle trip! I love seeing old buildings restored so I hope this one happens
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This would be a great trip on a bike! We actually took 180 from Mineral Wells to Strawn and had chicken fried steak at Mary’s. Keep a look out for an upcoming post about the trip and the “best chicken fried steak in Texas”. It’s a great drive!
Still looks like a beautiful building!
We ride the Harley out to Mary’s a lot!! I only have breakfast there and so I haven’t had the chicken fried steak.
I love this old hotel and hope that it does get restored.
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That would be a great ride out there! I believe the hotel is getting restored, I just don’t quite remember the time frame that was mentioned. I’d just like to tour the building (during the day, haha).
So interesting!! I love reading about old places like this. Waxahachie has one, too. It’s called the Rogers Hotel. It’s gone through times of being open and then not…but it’s known to be haunted as well. Some fun facts about it…
Several major league baseball teams headquartered here for spring training. The Detroit Tigers in 1916-17, the Cincinnati Reds in 1919, the Chicago White Sox in 1921 and the Buffalo Bisons in 1948-49.
The hotel was used as the bank in the movie Places in the Heart.
Local folklore has it that guests of note were — Ty Cobb, Bonnie & Clyde, Frank Sinatra plus a host of other characters of the old west.
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Ah! That’s so awesome! I’m going to have to look it up. I may have to plan a trip down to Waxahachie! Thanks for that – I’m intrigued!