Lauren Cato found this a couple of days ago. As far as I can tell, none of us involved with the project was aware of this until she found it.
Readers of this blog will know that we have been working on the restoration of the Settles for some time now and expect construction to start within the next couple of months. Seeing the current poor condition of the hotel, which has been abandoned for 30 years, it is easy to understand how it inspired the song. However, thanks to the efforts of the new owner, it will soon reclaim the title of the finest hotel between Abilene and Midland, and maybe beyond. The amazing lobby level and second floor with its elaborate Banquet Room will be restored to their original appearance with an absolute minimal intrusion of modern systems. Likewise, the third floor, which contains both original hotel rooms and the much larger "Sample Rooms" used by traveling salesmen to exhibit their wares, will also be restored to its original appearance. All work will conform to the Secretary of the Interiors Standards and the project will also participate in the Federal Historic Tax Credit program.
Better days are ahead, at least for the Settles.
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