We thought we saw the top of another county courthouse
So we got off the highway, dog-legged through small town streets
Keeping the top of the building mostly in sight as our guide
Our jaws dropped as we rounded the corner
This was no mere county courthouse...but what was it?
The first thing we noticed was the size
A lone skyscraper in a town of antique mercantile shops
The next were the windows
So many uncovered, knocked out
Plastic flapping in the wind
Like ghosts sending out a message:
"We're still here!"
Traffic was light on this cold, gray Sunday morning
We circled the building as slowly as we could
One-way streets and construction impeding our mission
Until we came around back
Stopped to take more photos through the windshield
Remarked how the bones looked good, worthy of saving
Old buildings were solidly made
Clues in ads on surrounding fences
"The Baker Hotel"
Renovation to be completed in 2022
The Grand Old Lady will once again be the belle of the ball.
We were taking the long way home from visiting our college boy when this sight pulled us in. That evening, I searched for more information on The Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells, Texas. The hotel was built in 1929, and was a popular attraction for the rich and famous for three decades. Standing in ruin since the early 1970s, there have been several petitions to renovate the hotel. The current effort has financial backing and seems to be moving forward.
I've already entered a reminder in my Google calendar two years ahead, to check on the progress of the renovation...and possibly book a room--if we can afford to do so!
Fascinating. This line speaks loudly, "Like ghosts sending out a message: 'We're still here!' " The bones are definitely good, especially after so much neglect. Definitely worth saving! Hope your visit in 2022 shows a new shining place.
ReplyDeleteThere are some ghost stories about this hotel! It is a beautiful building; can't wait to see it restored to its former glory!
DeleteSo many things to appreciate in this post - the adventurous spirit, the willingness to detour from the usual path, the lure of the "grand old lady." Her bones are indeed beautiful - imagine the stories those old walls must hold! I take tremendous encouragement from those renovation plans and hope they will not be delayed too long. Here's to the grand lady's new life to come and your celebrating it.
ReplyDeleteWithout really meaning to, we have developed this habit (tradition? life goal?) of sightseeing the county courthouses we happen upon in our travels. Since Texas has 254 counties, there's a lot to see; we estimate we've seen about two dozen or so. This sight, though, was even more interesting. There are quite a few articles about the hotel on the web. It really was a destination spot for the likes of Clark Gable, Bonnie and Clyde, Ronald Reagan!
DeleteI love looking at architecture of older buildings and learning their history, especially when I travel. We are kindred spirits in that regard. You're correct about buildings good bones, they will stand the test of time when treated well. "The Grand Lady" is grand indeed. They don't make 'em like that anymore. Thank you for showing her off.
ReplyDeleteI love old buildings and the history that surrounds them! What a fun and interesting thing for you to do!
ReplyDeleteThis remind me of a hotel near me. Probably the same vintage, that is in the process of renovation. Beauties!
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