73 Questions with Mark Rawlings | The Baker Hotel and Spa

[@WhispersFromTheDark]

I was a part of the first paranormal investigation team that was allowed in there back in the late 1990's and we literally spent the night in there. We got there before dark and signed release forms and we're instructed on the rules. There was a caretaker that was staying on the 2nd floor in case of a problem, which thankfully we didn't have to wake him. I remember there was no power past the 2nd floor and we used alot of flashlights crawling all over that building that night. I did find something (that wasn't physical) I'm the hat/coat check desk area right outside the rainbow room entrance. And something else on the ramp going down to the downstairs area, If memory serves me right, going down to an area that was a bowling alley or something. I remember standing right inside the front doors and seeing (in my minds eye) how beautiful it was under all of that dust and tarps, etc. And I was in awe of some of the touches that still showed thru from it's previous glory. I felt the Baker had a spirit alright, but the spirit was from the building just wanting to be taken care of and appreciated, and restored to it's former glory. I can't wait to see it open. Sign me up for a weekend....

[@franciscodanconia4324]

You didn’t see the bellhop or Baker’s mistress? And I have to say you’re braver than me wandering around there after dark with flashlights. I remember how sketchy the staircases were, one side was even mostly gone on a couple of floors.

[@barbaraness4507]

Such a nice guy, and of course I’m a fan of anyone who restores old buildings.

[@sevenandthelittlestmew]

I saw the video that showed the ledger with the asbestos company listed during construction, and you said it was a painful entry. I heard that loud and clear! I winced so hard when I heard how much it cost you to get rid of that asbestos because I was working at Love Field in the old terminal right before they tore it down, so I know how much planning and hard work goes into dismantling that crap. Can’t just do standard demolition - there are ways it has to be done specifically to mitigate risk to workers and the general public, and disposal costs an arm and a leg. I would love for y’all to talk more to us layfolk about just how much work goes into restoration of these old buildings. Dog bless you for the blood, sweat and tears that you’re putting into this renovation.

[@Paul-wy2wk]

I fell in love with this place many years ago when traveling from San Antonio to OKC. I was able to tour it a few times and marveled at the grandeur…and the sad decay. It’s such a delight to hear Mark’s enthusiasm for this project and for the beautiful lady herself. I’m gonna take a ride up tomorrow just to see the progress I can see from the street…if any. You can be sure I will be one of the early guests when it’s finished. Hats off to you Mark and team…looks like I’ve seen someone who appreciates the place even more than I do!

[@Dodgin_Dips]

I WANT TO RESERVE A STAY ALREADY!! GAH!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

[@gandolfthegardener]

Am glad to see this hotel saved and in the process of being restored/renovated. Saw this on a urban exploration channel a few years ago.

[@MaryannMullin-yt1df]

I would really love to see this hotel before it’s all restored. I am so fascinated with the hotel. It was so beautiful back and it’s day and it’s such a wonderful thing that you are going to restore and bring it back.

[@stephenscott4655]

I’ve been watching the Baker for years. Great to hear its coming back to life.

[@That1_CopDude]

Bro this is greatest thing I’ve come across on KZbin In a longggggg time!

[@scotnick59]

Quite an undertaking is spending millions of dollars to renovate this charming lady!

[@colleenhammond3632]

VERY FUN! Can't wait to see the progress-and make my reservation when the chance arises!

[@bdcrews07]

Love it. So excited to see it when it’s finished. Would love to stay there

[@christym82]

Perfect Q&A! I cannot wait to make my reservations!!

[@thebakerhotelandspa9974]

Excited to welcome you as a guest one day!

[@MeetLeAnne]

I cannot wait to stay there!

[@brendagoldsmith5988]

Fantastic!😊

[@isaaclozano5660]

That’s soo cool. I used to go to mineral wells for a customer real close to the Bakers Hotel.

[@waynepugh4981]

Before the baker was being restored i went there to look around i couldn't get in side. I heard voices knowing the baker history i flipped out turned the corner and saw two people that went to a wedding reception many years ago

[@Samantha3L]

Cutie… always smiling 😊

[@TexansForChrist]

I once heard Sam Walton's widow lived in Mineral Wells. Is she still alive and any part of the Baker?

[@julzb7165]

What has been the most challenging part of the restoration so far? Would love to visit one day.

[@collinjunn]

soooo is no one gonna talk about the ghost who walked behind the yellow tape at 0:35 ?

[@zirlburg]

I would like to see the tunnel under the swimming pool.

[@dawg7915]

do you accept volunteers ?

[@hookshot55]

Favorite movie? No Country for Old Men.

[@BIGGER_RED]

I wanted to tour that place so bad that I literally asked a cop if he would wait to arrest me if I went in and looked around and appreciated the history then arrest me but he said no 😔

[@thebakerhotelandspa9974]

Dedication. You will be able to tour (legally) & visit the on-site Baker museum once we are open to the public!

[@sonyadikes9656]

Anything new? hasnt been an update in a while ??

[@melissah.2393]

Wow my husband is allergic to chicken too 😅

[@ParanormalSkepticsTV]

Can you book an investigation overnight?

[@jennifersalinas8054]

We're in Spanish Trace there's a man named Doug Burns that robbed the kids and there's a two little kids and a little girl the kids are taller than the little girl she got robbed bad Spanish traces guilty for him in trafficking nobody looks like her around her besides the kids Mineral Wells Texas she's under the roof of Spanish Trace Doug Burns is the lead man of the apartment's name we need more cops and new crops in Mineral Wells

[@texashammer777]

What?

[@texashammer777]

How did we go from 450 guest rooms to 165? That sounds quite pathetic for a long overdue renovation of a beloved place. My personal opinion is the place is sketch, its haunted and I feel like renovation might flop. Nice to see it open in my lifetime (maybe) but some places are meant to be left abandoned. Baker Hotel should just be a abandoned open tourist sight. The renovation if successful will bring hope to Mineral Wells, but its just like why even bother. I think its ruining its true history and originality modernizing a hotel thats been abandoned since 72'. With relentless ghost encounters and where bizarre creepy people been known to hangout in. The dark spirits dont leave a place cause it has new lights and painted walls, Baker Hotel will always be the same.

[@simonbirch9552]

Why work on it if you're not going to put it back the way it was. I say stop with progress , otherwise Mr Baker will come back

[@franciscodanconia4324]

Have you ever been inside any of the old rooms? They are basically closets. You’re not going to get well to do people to come up from DFW and Austin to stay at the place with rooms that are substandard. For the hotel to be a going concern it’s going to have to entice a lot of people to pay a lot of money for rooms in a hotel in a small town. So cutting the rooms down to a lower number with more space makes a lot of sense. Other wise the building would just sit until it collapses. And the hotel is still going to have a mineral water spa, etc like the original I’m not keen on the idea of a bar in the lobby but other than that they seem to be trying to keep the ambiance of 1920s architecture.