One of my favorite drives is along TX 180 - the road that
takes me to some of my favorite places. Weatherford, Palo
Pinto, and Mineral Wells State Park are all along that street,
and none is more than a two hour drive from my driveway.

I've always had a special affinity, though, for little old
Mineral Wells. A former spa town known for its healing
waters (called Crazy Water) since before the Comanche
laid claim to the land, this town sits in among the shadows
of its former tourist-center glory, making it one of the most
mysterious and intriguing towns in North Texas.

Of all the old hotels which used to welcome spa guests
(and are now apartment buildings, for the most part), none
is as imposing as the abandoned hulk of the Baker Hotel.
An art deco giant, the Baker was modeled after the
Arlington hotel in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and during its
hey-day it claimed Judy Garland and Greer Garson among
its patrons.

Standing like a sentry over Mineral Wells' ancient
downtown, the Baker closed in the 1970s when
recuperative spa vacations went out of favor. Today, its
gargantuan corpse stands defiantly in the middle of town,
beckoning passers-by to marvel and dream of its former
glory.

Many of the businesses in Mineral Wells folded, too.  
Today, this hill side town is an interesting mix of
dilapidated mansions and former hotels, abandoned
storefronts, and scenic ruins amid strip malls and fast food
joints.

I really, really like Mineral Wells. I've met only friendly
people there, and its history fascinates me. I've decided
that it will become my home one day... and hopefully, I can
help in the efforts to preserve the Baker and all of Mineral
Wells' history.
Some ghostly gossip about the Baker Hotel:

A drunken woman supposedly jumped off the 14th story balcony, trying to dive into the pool. Of course she didn't live to tell about it.

The owner/manager kept his mistress in a cozy little apartment at the Baker, and her ghost still haunts that floor.

The tile floor in the penthouse has swastikas in its border. They were installed in 1929,
so they do not have an evil connotation. They were meant to reflect Navajo and Kiowa sun symbols.

Long ago, a young waiter died in the basement after he fell between the door of the elevator and the shaft.
In the end, he was half the man he used to be.
Mineral Wells is located about 20 miles west of Weatherford on US 183 in Palo Pinto
County. It is the gateway to the North Texas Hill Country.

Here's a map to find your way!
My Kinda Town: Mineral Wells
Ruins looking down onto Mineral Wells.
Back courtyard at the Baker Hotel.
The historic district shows off its mysterious waters. Or just a ditch.
The Baker Hotel and its long defunct blue fountain. The swimming
pool is to the right.
Art deco light delights
How many different bricks do you see?
David enjoys a sip of Crazy Water.
Sturdy brick storefronts recall better times.