COUNTY LIFE
Breathing new life into The Baker Hotel (video and photos)
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
When Jeff and Christina Palmer first walked into The Baker Hotel it was awe-inspiring, and despite nearly 50 years of deterioration and vandalism, the craftsmanship of this 1929 gem was evident from its plaster and woodwork to the intricate tile.
The Palmers own Classic Design Works in Nocona and they are part of the team building and restoring the 900-plus windows in the storied Mineral Wells hotel. The couple and their crew have been working on the windows the past four months.
Their part of the restoration focuses on building new double-sash windows, along with exterior wood trim for the window, the the middle dividers, plus some other “fancy detail” pieces. They also are cutting all the window glass.
The Palmers are excited to be involved in a project that may be the largest historical restoration in Texas history.
In 1926 T.B. Baker began construction of the 14-story hotel in the heart of downtown Mineral Wells at at cost of $1.2 million. It opened two weeks after the great stock market crash on Oct. 29, 1929.
Read the full feature on the Baker’s restoration and its storied history in the weekend Bowie News.






COUNTY LIFE
Commissioners to meet on Oct. 12
The Montague County Commissioner’s Court will meet at 9 a.m. on Oct. 12 in the County Courtroom at the Courthouse Annex in Montague.
Commissioners are scheduled to consider issuing a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month within Montague County.
The court also will consider accepting $850 in unanticipated revenue for the sheriff’s office generated during National Night Out activities, alongside interlocal cooperation contracts between the Texas Department of Public Safety and Justices of the Peace for Precincts 1 and 2.
An executive session is scheduled to discuss personnel matters pertaining to sewer/septic inspector for the county. Any action would be taken back in open session.
COUNTY LIFE
Art of the Song opens Friday
The Oct. 9-11 Art of the Song Music and Art Festival opens Friday night for three days of art and entertainment in downtown Nocona.
The festival opens on Oct. 9 with a Chisholm Trail Art Association Preview Party from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 9 at the H.J. Justin Building.
Come see all the entries for the adult show, which formally opens at 10 a.m. on Oct. 10.
Live music will be played by Full Circle Band.
Also on Oct. 9 enjoy a Nocona Nights Street Dance from 7 to 9 p.m. with the Mark Murphey and Highway 82 Band. Cost is $10 per ticket and $200 for a table seating eight. Bring your lawn chairs.
Read the full schedule of events for the festival in your Thursday Bowie News.
COUNTY LIFE
Gold-Burg High readies homecoming events
These students are nominees for the 2026 homecoming court at Gold-Burg High School. Homecoming royals will be crowned in pre-game ceremonies before the Bears take on Throckmorton at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 9. Pictured are: Freshmen: Kenzley Foster and Jackson Allen, freshmen; Yareli Aguirre and Jojuan Grace, sophomores; Zara Andrade, junior and Brayden Odom, Kaylie Duncan, both seniors. Not pictured: Caleb Epperson, junior and Keelyn Case, senior.
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