Alternative names Settles Hotel Town or city Big Spring, Texas | Status Open Country United States | |
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Location Big Spring, Texas, United States Address 200 East Third Street, Big Spring, TX 79720 | ||
The Settles Hotel is an historic 15-story hotel located at 201 East Third Street in Big Spring, Texas. Originally completed in 1930, the Settles opened for business October 1, 1930. It operated from 1930 until the early 1980s, and was subsequently abandoned for around 30 years, before reopening in late 2012.
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The building was purchased by the Settles Hotel Development Corporation in late 2006. Since that time, the SHDC has also acquired adjoining properties, including the Big Spring Boys and Girls Club and the abandoned Greyhound Bus terminal, which was then demolished.
The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 18, 2013. Hotel Settles is a member of Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Restoration
According to the SHDC website, the corporation is "committed to the preservation of this remarkable building. We believe the Settles is a treasure in and of itself. We are working from the original set of blueprints and have begun an extensive process to bring back the beautiful details that evoke the craftsmanship and architectural details of a bygone era."
The corporation plans to update the hotel with such conveniences as heating, air conditioning, modern plumbing, and elevator.
The new owners are planning a mixed-use residential and commercial property, with retail space available on the first and second floors. A fitness center, restaurant, and conference center are being considered. The first floor lobby and ballroom will be reconstructed along the original 1930s plans. On December 17, 2009, the Settles lit up in Christmas colors for the first time in more than three decades.
Reopening
The Hotel Settles re-opened its doors to the public on December 28, 2012. Construction on other parts of the Hotel are expected to continue through spring of 2013.
On April 10, 2015, the West Texas Historical Association at its 92nd annual conference in Amarillo, presented a lecture and discussion on the Hotel Settles: "A Grand Dame Shines Again: Big Spring's Hotel Settles During Eighty-five Years of Boom, Bust, and Boom" by Barbara Brannon.