Posted on 02/18/2014 6:25:11 PM PST by Antoninus II
MINERAL WELLS — Every time Annette Bennett walks out the back door of the family business, the Baker Hotel still looms large, but it possesses little of its majestic past.
(Excerpt) Read more at star-telegram.com ...
Original article title: Mineral Wells Hopes Baker Hotel is About to be Reborn
i hope it works out too
but how do you say "hanoi hilton" in mandarin
Mandarin translation would probably be “hanoi hilton”
I’ve driven by it many times on my way out to Lubbock. I prefer 180 to the interstate although 380 is my favorite out east of Post.
I go through Mineral Wells several times a month as it’s on the way to the ranch from Ft. Worth. “Booming” is not a term that comes to mind when I think of Miserable Swells.
Ah, the Baker. Their have been “plans” and “buyers” and “investors” and “revivals” spoken about the place for as long as I can remember. Nothing. It just sits there and slowly falls down. All the time.
“The Baker would be decorated in “Palo Pinto Chic,” becoming an upscale hotel and spa that could host conferences, meetings and weddings — lots of weddings.”
Well, good luck to them. I hope they can convince people from Ft. Worth, Dallas, and places hence to drive out to Mineral Wells to go the spa, have a conference, or, have a meeting. They might have some success with the wedding thing though.
I grew up in MW.
A LOT of the problems in MW can be attributed to the Chamber of Commerce..
I can believe it. I see a little going on at the old fort (something new there opened up recently) and they got a Super Wal Mart. That’s about all I’ve noticed from 180.
Went to school in Breckenridge and I understand how small town politics and egos can run things into the ground.
We moved to MW in ‘63. Dad was a helicopter instructor for Southern Airways at Ft Wolters till it closed.
Went to an awesome airshow there with my Dad many years ago. Dad was a WWII (Army Air Corps) vet and his friend (US 5th Army) vet accompanied us. He knew Patton personally. I loved the conversations, stories!!
Ha! I was born in Post.
At Wolters? Beach Army?
At the local hospital by Dr Tubbs in ‘54. Moved to Plainview when I was 4.
We went in to the eerie marble mausoleum (at least it seemed like it) and made our way to the only light visible where we encountered the man from the crypts... with his green translucent visor. He called the base for them to send a bus to pick us up...
Had to make a trip back in town to see that place in daylight...
After getting out of the Army, I later worked 7 years for Southern Airways - hehehe Good ol' Beech Army Hospital... I remember one scandal there where Doctors were caught reviewing their essential proficiency requirements and if they needed two more spinal taps to maintain proficiency, the next two people they saw magically needed one...
Tons of fond memories too...
I remember as a little kid watching the doctors step out in the hallway to smoke a cigarette under the No Smoking signs...
That would have been the old mineral water drinking pavilion in the back side of the hotel. Years ago that would have been quite busy...
I like the drive out east of Post towards Aspermont. Nothing but wide open spaces.
Patton’s son went through flight training there. He inherited lots of arrogance without the common sense.
He was elected class leader however troops were very unhappy with him - particularly after telling the bus driver that was picking his flight up from a stage field to be returned for lunch and afternoon classes to take his bus back and bring a newer one that was befitting of his men.
Old plain spoken Southern Airways driver told him this was what the Army provided, if he wanted to ride, he was welcome but the schedule called for him to pull out in 15 minutes, which he did.
After 7 miles of double timing, they arrived, missed lunch and were late for class... Flight suits can be really hot in August in Texas... Hehehe
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