The non-existent Baker Hotel

The Baker Hotel is an abandoned hotel in Mineral Wells, Texas. Its history begins in 1925, when in connection with the glory of the city, it was allocated 150,000 dollars for the construction of the hotel. Soon it was decided to seek help from Texas tycoon Brasher Baker, who financed the project, in return for a portion of the profits.

As a result, by 1929 the construction of the hotel was completed. In total, more than a million dollars were spent on the construction, and the hotel itself consisted of 450 rooms. Also in the hotel there were ballrooms, beauty salons, swimming pools, bowling. It was the first skyscraper built outside major cities, as well as the first hotel in which each room was equipped with air conditioning, an ice water supply system, an automatic lock opening system. On the upper floors of the hotel there was a salon of spa treatments.

The hotel immediately became a popular place, its fame passed through the region very quickly, but in 1934 the main shareholder of the hotel, Brasher Baker, declared bankruptcy. Despite this, the hotel continued to flourish and operate at full capacity. The hotel enjoyed its greatest success during World War II. Later, the peak of its popularity began to decline and the hotel began to experience difficulties. In 1972, the hotel closed its doors for the last time.

In 2010, it was decided to restore and increase the hotel, the expected amount of reconstruction is $ 54 million.

The Baker Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.