An old building that has been left to rot and deteriorate over the years becomes visible as travelers enter the small town of Mineral Wells, Texas. The Baker Hotel is tall and majestic. No one can miss it as it comes into view. It transports you back to a different time when you look at it. You can feel that at the height of its glory, it was truly a magnificant spectacle to behold.

 

 

 

Building of the Baker Hotel was completed in 1929 and opened for business in November of the same year as a spa-resort. It boasts 14 stories and 452 rooms. The Baker Hotel claimed to be the second largest hotel in the country. To add to it's fame was the hotels Olympic-size swimming pool that was built in front of the hotel. A first of its kind in the United States, and lives up to the expectation that everything is bigger in Texas.

 

 

 

To add to its charm is the fact that it received some mighty famous visitors. The Three Stooges had their own suite at the Baker Hotel. Actress Judy Garland, Ronald Reagan and Clark Gable are also among the famous who stayed at the Baker. Big Band greats Guy Lombardo, Lawrence Welk and The Dorsey Brothers all played at the Baker Hotel. What an era! Can you imagine it?

 

 

 

 

Hauntings and Manifestations:

 

 

 

 

The exact number of spirits that call the hotel home for eternity is unknown, but some say that there are 49 different ghosts haunting the Baker Hotel. Among those who are still there is the ghost of the original owners red-headed mistress, Virginia.

 

 

 

The story is that after he ended their relationship, she was so devastated that she jumped to her death from the 7th floor. Witnesses say they have spotted her in different areas of the hotel. Are the sounds of high heeled shoes walking across the lobby floor hers?

 

 

 

 

 

The Cook and the Maid:

 

 

 

 

As the story goes, the hotels cook was having an affair with one of the maids. When the mistress maid threatened to expose their relationship to his wife, he flew into a fit of rage and stabbed her to death in the kitchen pantry. Female visitors reported hearing a woman's voice telling them to leave when they entered the kitchen.

 

 

 

 

 

The Ghost of T.B. Baker:

 

 

 

 

It's believed that the ghost of T.B. Baker, the original owner of the Baker Hotel, and another entity are still residing in his once luxurious 10th floor residence.

 

 

 

 

 

The Brazos Room:

 

 

 

 

Lights turn on and off by themselves and it is also believed that the Brazos Room is haunted by none other than Bonnie and Clyde. They were, after all, guests at one time or another, but are they really haunting the Baker?

 

 

 

 

Other reports include:

 

 

 

 

A heated argument between a man and a woman has been reported by witnesses coming from the lobby. A woman screams and there are loud bangs, as if the front doors have been slammed shut.

 

 

 

 

The sound of 1920's music and a gathering of people, as if they're partying and having a good time, are heard. Sounds a little reminescent of the movie "The Shining", doesn't it?

 

 

 

 

The smell of chocolate is present at times and is reported to accompany the presence of orbs.

 

 

 

 

Sadly, the Baker Hotel sits empty today and is a shell of its former glory. It's in a state of disrepair and  deserves to be restored to its wonderous state. I'm left to wonder, though, whether any future renovations will be met with an influx of activity from those who still reside there in ghostly form. Perhaps. Would be interesting to find out though.