Mineral Wells, Texas

A Community Revitalized

Boasting a rich history and firmly-focused on anticipated growth

Mineral Wells, a small city nestled just west of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, is a city steeped in history. Founded in the late 19th century, the community gained national acclaim for its natural springs, rich in minerals and believed to possess healing properties for both mental and physical ailments. This reputation gave rise to the brand “Crazy Water,” a legacy that lives on, as the water is still bottled and sold under the same name.

The fame of these waters spurred the development of iconic landmarks like the Baker Hotel. Originally built to accommodate the influx of visitors seeking the curative powers of the springs, the Baker Hotel became a destination in its own right. During its heyday, it hosted stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, such as Judy Garland and the Three Stooges, as well as infamous figures like Bonnie and Clyde. It also served as the venue for a Republican National Convention during President Eisenhower’s administration in the 1950s.

Despite its storied past, Mineral Wells faced a significant downturn as the allure of the mineral springs declined, tourism slowed, and the Fort Wolters base closed in 1973. By the early 2000s, the city had become a shadow of its former self, with crumbling infrastructure and a struggling economy. Today, this quaint and historic community is experiencing a remarkable revival, thanks to focused efforts to transform it into a vibrant and thriving destination once again.

A Turning Point

Nathan Dyhre, the city’s Director of Economic and Community Development, credits local entrepreneurs and visionaries for reigniting the city. “There have always been local business owners, entrepreneurs or community stakeholders that have done what could be done to enhance things as best as possible,” he shares. “But really, what ended up happening was, as the growth started to push west from the Metroplex towards Mineral Wells, things really started to change, and people started taking the risk and investing money in big projects.”

He mentions Mineral Wells mayor, Regan Johnson, who transformed an aging building into Brazos Bistro and Market in 2010, creating a cultural hub that set the stage for further downtown rejuvenation. In addition, Randy Nix, through his company NSC Properties, took on the task of acquiring and rehabilitating 51% of the downtown buildings, ensuring they were preserved and repurposed to align with the city’s character. From the restoration of landmarks like the Crazy Water Hotel to the redevelopment of a building known as the Seaman Building into a hub of unique retail shops, Nix’s efforts have brought new life to the area. “He is also the principal developer and investor in the Baker Hotel, that’s a big project in itself,” notes Dyhre. “I think it’s a perfect time to be here, where downtown is transforming everything, and that has spurred other opportunities and other ventures. It is the citizens of this community that have changed things. Sure, outside people and new people or imports like myself have helped continue that. But I would say this was all begun by the local people here.”

Planning for Growth While Preserving Character

Mineral Wells is carefully balancing the need for growth with preserving the character that makes it special. According to Dyhre the city has the infrastructure to support this growth, thanks in part to its history. “The bones of this downtown, of this infrastructure, are strong,” he emphasizes. “The way buildings were built before, they were there to stand and weather the storm.” In December 2023, the city adopted a comprehensive plan, titled ‘Imagine Mineral Wells’, which serves as a 20-year blueprint for development. Dyhre explains that this plan is central to the city’s growth strategy, providing a framework for prioritizing projects and guiding developers.

Currently the city finds itself in the path of westward expansion from Fort Worth, similar to the suburban growth that pushed north of Dallas in the early 2000s. As surrounding areas like Weatherford continue to evolve, Mineral Wells is preparing for its turn. “We are very much on that path,” Dyhre depicts. “We’re still considered a tertiary market, but Weatherford is at that point where they’re almost going to be considered a secondary market. So, as that growth is happening and pushing out west, we are now utilizing that comprehensive plan to be able to help us plan for that growth that arrives here.”

Although Mineral Wells is embracing progress, the city is committed to ensuring that this growth does not come at the expense of its identity. “A lot of times, with smaller communities or rural communities, the stereotype is that we don’t want outsiders coming in here and changing our way of life and our character,” acknowledges Dyhre. “We do not want to change the unique character that Mineral Wells has, but at the same time, we are very much supportive of growth and receiving those that want to be part of this community.”

 Collaboration and Economic Development

Tourism has long been the lifeblood of Mineral Wells, and the city continues to build on its tradition as a destination for visitors. Key to this effort is the collaboration between city leaders, regional partners, and a forward-thinking approach to economic and cultural development. “When I took the job, one of the things that they explained is, even though you’re going to be the economic developer for the city of Mineral Wells, you need to be working with county partners here in Palo Pinto County. You need to be working with regional partners, and figure out a way to collaborate,” Dyhre elaborates. “So, I’ve been trying to do that since I began, and I feel like what we’ve been able to do here at the city, and what we’ve been able to do with our relationships with people close by, has really helped us.”

He credits much of the recent progress to the strong leaders who share a vision for growth and revitalization. Joining Dyhre in these efforts are Brittany Brown, Main Street Manager, Seth Hobbs, the Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, and Rose Jordan, Director of Tourism. “The synergy between all of us is what I think has really helped us in accomplishing what we’re trying to do for the city of Mineral Wells and for all of our regional partners here,” Dyhre conveys. Together, this cohesive team is leveraging their combined expertise and dedication to advance economic development, enhance tourism, and reestablish Mineral Wells as a thriving destination.

This team effort has led to several state designations that enhance the city’s tourism profile, including recognition as a Film-Friendly City, which has led to a number of projects being filmed in the community. “ A lot of it is Paramount Plus, because Taylor Sheridan, who’s basically got the key to that organization, owns the 6666 ranch, which is only about two hours from us,” relays Dyhre. Mineral Wells also carries the designation of a Music-Friendly City and has been named a Tourism-Friendly destination. In addition, the city is officially deemed the Wellness Capital of Texas by the Governor’s Office, thanks to its famous mineral water, abundant natural beauty, and outdoor recreation opportunities.

“The life blood of this community is tourism. It always has been and always will be,” remarks Dyhre. “But it doesn’t mean we exclusively throw all of our eggs in the tourism basket. We also want to have a diversified economic landscape, whether that’s in industrial manufacturing, film, engineering firms, tech, or  whether that’s aviation and aerospace, because we have a really strong regional airport, and that’s our largest asset.”

Future Plans

Looking ahead, Mineral Wells is focused on attracting new opportunities to enhance its economy and quality of life. One hope is to bring an institution of higher learning to the area, to assist with workforce development. Another priority is job creation and infrastructure improvements. “We’re not looking for any particular job and or particular company,” Dyhre maintains. “Industrial manufacturing engineering or even film, that’s the big thing here. I would also say that we’ve had a lot of people interested in data centers out here, because we have a good amount of power. So, anything that’s going to be a job creator.” Residential street improvements and infrastructure enhancements are also top of mind as the city moves forward. “Job creation is always my priority because the next thing that pairs off of that is your quality of life part, residential housing usually follows that, and then any type of retail follows after that. It is a domino effect,” he concludes. With its rich history, ongoing revitalization efforts, and a strategic focus on growth, Mineral Wells is poised to reclaim its place as a thriving destination, where both residents and visitors can enjoy a vibrant community and promising future.

AT A GLANCE

Mineral Wells

What: A city experiencing a revitalization

Where: Palo Pinto County, Texas

Website: www.mineralwellstx.gov