TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview of the Collection

Background

Scope and Contents

Index Terms

Administrative Information

Detailed Description of the Collection

Reservations (Dead Files)

Correspondence

Sales Files

Rending File

Miscellaneous

Newspaper Clipping Folios and Miscellaneous Memorabilia

Photographs

Baker Hotel Collection

Background

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 thrown away 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. A sale of interior goods from chandeliers to doorknobs took place in September 1979.

The Baker Hotel was imploded June 1980. In seconds the grand hotel was in ruins. The site was cleared and In Its place a modern skyscraper known as Bell Plaza stands. The dancing ceased, the party was over.

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Scope and Contents

This collection contains the sales files for the last twenty years of the Baker Hotel's existence. These files are a good source for conventions, room reservations, and social activities. The files are aranged alphabetically and chronologically within each letter by the name of the person or group involved. A few miscellaneous items such as menus, letters, newsclippings, and stationary are also included. A box of photographs also illustrate the inside and outside of the building. The photos include the lobby, dinner hall, meeting rooms, and ballrooms.

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Index Terms

This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.

Organizations:

Places:

Titles:

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Administrative Information

Processing Information

Processed by John Geers
Edited by Cindy C. Smolovik, Archivist

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Detailed Description of the Collection