I saw a post on Facebook during Thanksgiving week:  The Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells is letting individuals take a peek inside the hotel on November 30, 2019.

Tore Bellis and I packed our camera bags and drove an hour and 45 minutes to our great adventure.

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You might remember I’ve mentioned the Baker Hotel in previous posts.  There was a Baker Hotel in Dallas, built in 1925 that was across from The Adolphus.  Sadly, it was demolished in 1980.  So having the opportunity to experience the Baker in Mineral Wells is special.  Another interesting detail, I have read The Baker in Mineral Wells is based on the design of The Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs.  I’ve stayed at the Arlington Hotel and also wrote a blog post.  I love the hotels are all tied together.

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Background on the Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells:

The hotel opened in 1929 before the stock market crash.  It was a health spa destination – known for its healing mineral water.  The hotel closed in 1972 and has fallen in to disrepair over the years.  But this year, developers announced it will be renovated and reopened.  The process will take three years – the same number of years it took when the hotel originally opened.

I CAN’T WAIT!

But until then, enjoy the photos of the hotel before the renovation.  Click on the photos for a larger view.

I peeked through the window grill and noticed a curious smell.

Note that visitors were not permitted to enter the building.  We were only able to go up the steps and peer inside the hotel.

I couldn’t resist taking photos of the steps.  Someday (in the next 3 years) these steps will be updated and I’ll be able to look back at this “before” shot.

Here are the most exciting shots from the day!

It was not cold outside but it was COLD inside the hotel.  Ghosts!  😉

My telephoto lens came in super handy for this adventure.  It’s as if I’m inside the hotel.

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Here are photos of the exterior of the hotel.

Look at the blinds on the windows.

Imagine the parties and festivities that took place on the top floor.

As we left the grounds, I spotted this piece of cactus.  I suspect it fell from the the cactus  growing on the building.  For a split second I considered taking it with me as a souvenir but then I came to my senses.  🙂

I wish everyone the best in restoring the hotel to her former glory.   I can’t wait to be a guest!

For more information on the Baker Hotel, visit their website.  Be sure to follow them on Facebook – who knows, maybe they will post another preview opportunity.  (You’ll see me there if they do!)