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COUNTY LIFE

Breathing new life into The Baker Hotel (video and photos)

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By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDp1JssBOEQ
Check out all the update videos at bakerhotelandspa.com.
The Baker looms large above the Mineral Wells skyline. (Courtesy photo)
Vintage postcard of the original pool area of the hotel.
An advertisement for the grand opening back in 1929.
Old downtown Mineral Wells where Crazy Water was king.
Entry to Cloud Room where many famous musicians played. There are 270-degree views of the countryside.
The front entry of The Baker Hotel.
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COUNTY LIFE

Bowie ISD accepts teacher recommendations

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Bowie Independent School District Trustees accepted the recommendations for professional educator contracts with a few on hold as they await certification, as well as some staff who have indicated they may retire or resign.
The board met Monday night and Superintendent Blake Enlow said there are a few staff members who have said they plan to leave, but have not “formally” resigned. The board reviewed the list of contract offers in executive session and back in open session approved the list with stipulations for those finishing up certifications.

Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.

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COUNTY LIFE

Cruisin’ Nocona arrives May 3-4

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The springtime tradition of Cruisin’ Nocona on May 3-4 with lots of family fun activities. This is the 11th annual event.
Enjoy the popular Poker Cruise on May 3 as drivers travel a 120-mile trek through the countryside of Montague County enjoying several stops along the way before looping back to Nocona for lunch.
Early-bird registration is $50. Forms are available at the Nocona Chamber of Commerce office at 304 Clay St. #3 or go online to Nocona.org/events to get a form. After April 25 the cost goes up to $65.
There will be on-site registration from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. that day at 915 E. U.S. Highway 82, where the cruise starts at 10 a.m. Each driver gets a goodie bag with a Cruisin’ Nocona T-shirt and ticket for the cruise lunch. Additional lunch tickets may be purchased for $20.
First-third place prizes will be awarded to the best poker hands.
On May 4 downtown Nocona will be filled with classic cars and big trucks for Cruisin’ Car Show. This is the second year to include the big trucks set up along Clay and West Walnut Streets.
Prizes will be awarded to the top 10 cars and pickups, top five motorcycles, Big Truck People’s Choice and Big Truck that traveled the farthest to the show. All makes and models welcomed. Forms are available on the chamber’s website.
The car show will have registration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Clay and W. Walnut with judging from 1-3 p.m. Awards will be presented at 4 p.m. at the H.J. Justin Building, 100 Clay.

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COUNTY LIFE

Honor your 2024 senior with a special ad in the sr. section

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The May 8 deadline is almost here for the 2024 Keepsake Graduation section produced by The Bowie News. It is the only section where you will see senior photos of every high school in Montague County and Bellevue.
If you want to honor your graduate with a special ad or your business wants to congratulate a working senior, call 872-2247 or print a copy of the submission form at bowienewsonline.com. The section will publish on May 22.

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