Background information

The water in Mineral Wells, Texas was once beleived to cure many illnesses so after many years and publicity of this so called 'miracle' water there was a hotel built over the well called the Crazy Water hotel, but the locals were mad that outsiders were going to make money off of their water so they got with Theodore Brasher Baker and decided to build a hotel that was then named the Baker hotel which opened on Nov. 9, 1929, and had its grand opening Nov. 22, 1929. "Mr. Baker had many modern ideas for the hotel such as circulating ice water for the guest rooms, which he used in many of his other hotels. The hotel was to be fully air conditioned, which was a novelty during this time. The lights and fans were controlled by the key lock on the guest’s room doors. When the guest left the room and locked the door, the lights and fans went off. Valet doors were also installed so the guests might place clothing to be cleaned in them and not be disturbed by the employee who came to remove the items for cleaning." (Baker hotel factfinders). This Hotel became a huge hit of this time and people would come from all around to stay and gain health from the waters and rejuvenate in the luxurys that were hard to find at this time. "The Baker Hotel catered to the rich and famous including cattle barons, oil tycoons, and such celebrities as Clark Gable, Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland, Will Rogers, Jean Harlow, Dorothy Lamour, and even the Three Stooges. Bonnie and Clyde supposedly stayed at the famous resort, and Lawrence Welk and Guy Lombardo entertained there. At one time, Mary Martin ran a dance studio inside the Baker" (Budd, Deena) SInce so many well known people stayed in this hotel over the years it was open it can just paint a picture for how lavish and extravagant this hotel was. "By the 1960s, health resorts all over the country were losing business. Earl Baker, nephew of the founder, let it be known that he would get out of the business when he turned 70. In 1963, he did, and some Mineral Wells businessmen bought it shortly after - but the Baker's enchanted era was over. The hotel closed its doors for good in 1972."(Cody Polston, Bob Carter and SGHA)

"History" Baker Hotel Fact Finders 10/19/2011 http://www.bakerhotel.us/

Budd, Deena Paranormal site "Haunted Baker Hotel" http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art49506.asp

Cody Polston, Bob Carter and SGHA "Ghost hunt of the Baker" Southwest ghost hunters association http://www.sgha.net/baker/baker.html

Images courtesy of www.bakerhotel.us