Baker Hotel [Press Photo]
Name/Title
Baker Hotel [Press Photo]Description
Smoke pours out of shattered windows on the 17th floor of the Baker Hotel in Dallas, Texas, today. The four-alarm fire broke out shortly before noon and eighteen pieces of fire fighting equipment were sent to the scene. About 260 guests were registered in the famous hotel at the time and police evacuated some of them from their rooms.Context
The Baker Hotel stood on the southeast corner of Commerce and Akard Streets in the heart of downtown Dallas; previously the Oriental Hotel. Both grand buildings met the same fate; to be torn down and forgotten. Although the Baker Hotel remains in the memories of those who enjoyed the rooms, the Peacock Terrace Ballroom, luncheons and other events, the building itself is gone. T. B. Baker, head of the Baker Hotel Company, built the hotel in 1925. Opening night, October 25, 1925, was marked by a Gala dinner dance. According to a Dallas Morning News report, the keys to the building were officially thrownaway at 6:00 Saturday morning, "thus will be symbolized the fact that the portals of the building from hence forward are never to be closed day or right." The opening was also the 30th anniversary of the opening of the old Oriental which has been torn down and the Baker built on the same site. The Baker was the home of WFAA radio, the Peacock Terrace, Crystal Ballroom, and the place to play on Texas-OU weekends. Its ballrooms were used for debutantes, movie stars, and society members. The Peacock Terrace Ballroom opened in 1925, and the big name swing bands of the 20s and 30s played for Dallasites. The Idlewild Ball for Debutantes was held annually in the Crystal Ballroom. The Petroleum Club met at the Baker. The Mural Room was the main luncheon site for many. The brownstone building catered to Its patrons with style and luxury for 54 years. During that time the building sustained several mishaps. On June 21, 1946, an explosion ripped through the basement, injuring 3B, 9 died, later reports say 11 died. A fire in 1971 destroyed upper floors. Each time the building was remodeled and always remained elegant. Only age and new ownership finally ended the style of the Baker. The Bakers owned the hotel until 1949 when it was sold to Dallas Rupe & Sons, investment bankers. The new management retained the Baker style. In 1970 the building was sold again to Clemgil Reality. After the fire of 1971 the building was remodeled fn 1972. Seven years later the area was included In a block purchase by Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. The new owners decided the 600-700 room hotel could not be economically converted for their needs. Modern historic preservation efforts began in the 1970s with the formation of the Historic Preservation League (now Preservation Dallas). The city's Landmark Commission has designated numerous buildings and several neighborhoods as landmarks, including Swiss Avenue, Munger Place, South Boulevard-Park Row, and State-Thomas. Unfortunately, the League could not save the Baker Hotel, a former grand hotel located in the heart of downtown, Dallas, Texas, across the landmark Adolphus Hotel and the Magnolia Hotel. Its interiors were remodeled in 1972 after this fire, and was imploded in 1980 to make way for the Whitacre Tower, which occupies its site today.Category
Handbook of Dallas-Fort Worth
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