Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

offcamber · 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texkam

Like the Baker, this thread needs to be locked up tight.

...

camera shy · 05-18-2011, 06:09 PM

Didn't people get banned from TPF for a thread just like this ?

brad · 05-18-2011, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camera shy

Didn't people get banned from TPF for a thread just like this ?

I do believe so... I think it involved someone bragging that they routinely broke in and was encouraging others to join them...

Hogleg 44 · 05-19-2011, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brad

I do believe so... I think it involved someone bragging that they routinely broke in and was encouraging others to join them...

Actually I think maybe it was another similar Baker thread, The OP was so distressed by the reaction that she received that she quit the forum. The eventual banning was the end result of inappropriate attitude that was expressed by some when replying to some of the posts.

Todd Lambert · 05-19-2011, 09:53 AM

I believe you're correct, Paul. It was one of several threads/members who left. This place was not nearly as friendly as it is now - which is a testament to Abel pulling in the reigns a bit and cracking the whip. It was very needed, in my opinion.

jeffro20 · 05-19-2011, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by offcamber

The Bakers is hard to get in. There are some cool places to shoot around Ft. Worth if you dont mind a little danger. The old meat packing plant comes to mind. Gang activity around there though so I only go there if I'm armed. A friend of mine goes and shoots at the Baker every now and then. He's taken some awesome shots there:

Noel Kerns Photography

Interesting....just received my newest Reader's Digest in the mail this week and Noel Kerns has a photograph featured in one of their articles.

jeffro20 · 05-19-2011, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Lambert

I believe you're correct, Paul. It was one of several threads/members who left. This place was not nearly as friendly as it is now - which is a testament to Abel pulling in the reigns a bit and cracking the whip. It was very needed, in my opinion.

A few will certainly not be missed.

ChrisTX · 05-24-2011, 09:34 PM

It's not so much trespassing...the city condemned the building, so you simply cannot enter it. The city officials have looked at it and the structure of the building is not safe, and it's falling apart. The lady that was over the place used to take my mom through it all the time, but after the condemnation, she hasn't been allowed to take anyone through it. You cannot enter a substandard structure, and not so much for trespassing, but so you don't fall through several floors. That's just common sense.

If the police have to go in and get you, knowing the poor shape this building is in, they will not be happy campers.

BenE · 05-25-2011, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisTX

It's not so much trespassing...the city condemned the building, so you simply cannot enter it. The city officials have looked at it and the structure of the building is not safe, and it's falling apart. The lady that was over the place used to take my mom through it all the time, but after the condemnation, she hasn't been allowed to take anyone through it. You cannot enter a substandard structure, and not so much for trespassing, but so you don't fall through several floors. That's just common sense.

If the police have to go in and get you, knowing the poor shape this building is in, they will not be happy campers.

Sorry, it is a matter of trespassing. The time we were there, fortunately there was a volunteer with a group that was, at that time, trying to get the hotel restored. That is the only reason we were allowed inside. Since that time, things have definitely changed. See the excerpts from the articles below:.....................

Baker under close guard Homepage Mineral Wells Index, Mineral Wells, TX

Excerpts from the article dated Feb 2010

Now jumping a wall or fence into the Baker Hotel property could lead to time in the Palo Pinto County jail under a recent change in city policy regarding trespassing on the property.

Mineral Wells police confirmed Monday several officers have been specially assigned to patrol the area during evening hours for the foreseeable future and arrest trespassers on the property.

Seven teens, including two juveniles, were arrested on class B misdemeanor criminal trespassing charges early Saturday morning after two separate groups entered the walled area around the hotel.
...........................................

Mother arrested for assault on 11-year-old daughter Local News Mineral Wells Index, Mineral Wells, TX

This is found down the page, and is from a Mineral Wells News article:

Danielle Elizabeth Kight, 17, of Granbury, was arrested Saturday for criminal trespass at the Baker Hotel. Twelve citations for also issued over the week to groups trespassing on the property.
...............................

Trespassing and Vandalism

lyncca · 05-25-2011, 10:03 AM

Is it ok so shoot around the steps and balcony without getting in trouble? I went and there is plenty available to shoot around the outside without jumping any fences, etc.

Hogleg 44 · 05-25-2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyncca

Is it ok so shoot around the steps and balcony without getting in trouble? I went and there is plenty available to shoot around the outside without jumping any fences, etc.

Entry to the porch is not restricted. No signs or barricades to stop you. I have been up there with police officers passing and they have never said anything. All entries to the building are nailed shut, but you can see inside to a small extent through some broken windows and maybe through some very dirty glass. It's worth a visit if that interests you.

One big difference now compared to the way it used to be is that a group headed by Jeff Trigger, the president of Austin-based La Corsha Hospitality, has serious plans to renovation and operate the hotel. The City of Mineral Wells will buy the hotel for $2.2 million from its Arizona owner and put about $52 million more into its restoration.

This is why the locals are watching this so closely these days. If anything bad were to happen to it today it would be catastrophic. Both for the future of the town and the real estate developers planning the restoration. Now there is a responsibility issue if a trespasser should be injured while inside. The people in charge of it at this point have no liability insurance to cover them should that happen.

The Baker Restoration group has a facebook presence. Search facebook for "The Baker Hotel, Mineral Wells Texas" That is where some of my info originates plus I have a number of friends in Mineral Wells.

Regarding the structure,, that is not an issue! If inside you might fall down the elevator shaft or the stairs, or fall out of a window, but the floor beneath you is not going to give away!

lyncca · 05-25-2011, 11:10 AM

Awesome. I went before with some friends to check it out and saw that the area around front wasn't restricted. We didn't have any problems and my friend was a cop, but I heard about the cops around there being pretty strict so it freaked me out about going back at all. There is plenty around the perimeter to shoot. Its a pitty you can't go in the pool area where the awesome bridge is (ok, we might have explored back there but we didn't go in).

KD5NRH · 07-02-2011, 01:59 AM

Of interest to those who want to see the Baker restored: Ballad of the Baker | Watch | “Ballad of the Baker” Preview Completed!

Unfortunately, though, it's still in Mineral Wells, so if they ever make it worth something it'll almost certainly be stolen within a week.

lfmerrell · 07-02-2011, 02:11 AM

Maybe the guy with the Quadcopter(sp) and Herocam can get some fresh photos