Originally constructed in 1929 as an 82 room hotel, the exterior features of the building include decorative scrolls, garlands, and urns at the corners of the eighth floor and each entry is guarded by a pair of eagles four feet in height. Funding for the ten story concrete building was through the issuance of stock by the Multnomah Hotel Chain, purchased by 300 residents of Baker. The building was originally designed as the Baker Community Hotel by Architects Tourtelotte and Hummel. It is one of a trio designed by the team; the Mark Anthony Hotel in Ashland, Oregon and the Hoff Building in Boise, Idaho; both still in use today.
Architecturally notable is the tenth floor octagonal observation center. This cupola offers spectacular views of the surrounding Powder Valley and Elkhorn Mountains. The exterior features of the building include decorative scrolls, garlands, decorative deco urns at the corners of the eighth floor and each entry is guarded by a pair of eagles four feet in height.
Interesting to note is that in the late 1960's the Hotel's claim to fame was it's role in the filming of "Paint Your Wagon". It served as headquarters for the Paramount Studios crew and stars . Shortly thereafter, the Baker Hotel closed it's doors to overnight guests and went up for sale.
Throughout its lifetime, the building has had numerous owners and has undergone considerable interior alteration. In the 1970's it's use was converted from a hotel to a commercial and residential building. The ground floor, second, ninth and tenth floors were reconfigured to retail and office space, while floors three through eight were remodeled as apartments.
1929 - Baker Hotel Opens Doors.
1968 - Crew and Stars of Paint Your Wagon stay at hotel during filming.
1972 - Building converted to apartment use.
1985 - Building's financial picture suffers under Baker's economic recession.
1992 - Federal Historical Grant provides funding for major improvements.
1999 - The Grand renovation begins - view construction pictures
2000 - Historic Baker City Grant approved for exterior face lift.
Architecturally notable is the tenth floor octagonal observation center. This cupola offers spectacular views of the surrounding Powder Valley and Elkhorn Mountains. The exterior features of the building include decorative scrolls, garlands, decorative deco urns at the corners of the eighth floor and each entry is guarded by a pair of eagles four feet in height.
Interesting to note is that in the late 1960's the Hotel's claim to fame was it's role in the filming of "Paint Your Wagon". It served as headquarters for the Paramount Studios crew and stars . Shortly thereafter, the Baker Hotel closed it's doors to overnight guests and went up for sale.
Throughout its lifetime, the building has had numerous owners and has undergone considerable interior alteration. In the 1970's it's use was converted from a hotel to a commercial and residential building. The ground floor, second, ninth and tenth floors were reconfigured to retail and office space, while floors three through eight were remodeled as apartments.
1929 - Baker Hotel Opens Doors.
1968 - Crew and Stars of Paint Your Wagon stay at hotel during filming.
1972 - Building converted to apartment use.
1985 - Building's financial picture suffers under Baker's economic recession.
1992 - Federal Historical Grant provides funding for major improvements.
1999 - The Grand renovation begins - view construction pictures
2000 - Historic Baker City Grant approved for exterior face lift.