PANHANDLE PLAINS REGION: MINERAL WELLS TEXAS

MINERAL WELLS TEXAS

Mineral Wells Area Map & Additional Mineral Wells Information

Street in front of the Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells, Texas The two things Mineral Wells is likely most known for is Crazy Water and the Baker Hotel.

The Baker Hotel has been abandoned for decades but still dominates the Mineral Wells skyline with its 14 stories and 450 rooms sitting vacant.

The rooms at the Baker Hotel, in its heyday, had guests like the Three Stooges, Clark Gable, Judy Garland, Marlene Dietrich and Audie Murphy, being entertained by Big Band Leaders of the era, like Laurence Welk, Herby Kay and Paul Whiteman.

Many visitors came to Mineral Wells to experience the alleged curative powers of the water. Way back in the 1870s the wife of a local judge gave the foul smelling water from their well a second chance at drinkability. She claimed it cured her rheumatism. This was followed by a woman considered crazy by the townspeople, suddenly cured by drinking the water. Hence the name Crazy Water. Word spread quickly and Mineral Wells boomed with the craze. There was Crazy Hotel, Crazy Theater and Crazy Park and a lot of other things named Crazy.

By the 1960s the FDA told the Mineral Wells water sellers to cease their medicinal claims for the water. This was the final nail in the Baker Hotel's coffin. After the damage was done modern era testing discovered trace amounts of lithium in the Crazy Water, which you can buy today at the Famous Mineral Water Company, where you will find the Famous Mineral Water Pavilion and Gardens. There is an historical marker and you can sit at the original wood and marble bar and have ice cream, coffee and Crazy Water.

You will find a historical marker at the intersection of U.S. 281 and 180, marking the location of the first Crazy Water Well.

At Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway you can go cliff climbing at Penitentiary Hollow and bike, hike and horseride the 22 mile Trailway that connects Mineral Wells to Weatherford. There are 5 fishing piers, one lighted. You'll find bass, catfish and crappie on your hook if you're lucky.

Lake Palo Pinto is about 12 miles west of Mineral Wells. This lake is mostly undeveloped, so you can have a peaceful camping, fishing and boating experience.

WHERE TO STAY IN MINERAL WELLS

You won't be able to stay in the Baker Hotel, well, you could take the overnight Ghost Tour. You will find many of the national chains, like Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Suites, Days Inn, Best Western and Ramada Limited. For a bed & breakfast there is Silk Stocking Row, a Queen Ann style mansion.

WHERE TO EAT IN MINERAL WELLS

You will find many of the usual chain fast food joints, like Jack in the Box, KFC, Subway, Taco Bell, Sonic and Pizza Hut. El Paseo is a favorite with the locals due to really good chicken enchiladas.

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