Hotel Settles

History

Opened in 1930, Hotel Settles was built by Will R. and Lillian Settles following the discovery of oil on their ranch. Designed by architect David Castle the building was constructed as a solid concrete, 15-story, 150-room hotel with a restaurant and a pharmacy. At the time it was the tallest building between El Paso and Ft. Worth. The Settles family owned the hotel for 2 years, but sold it when the Great Depression gripped the nation. The hotel went through several owners in the ensuing years. As the energy crisis of the '70s came to an end, West Texas suffered from a very large oil bust. The hotel was unable to sustain operations and closed its doors in 1982. Over the next 30 years, the property fell into further decline. In 2006 G. Brint Ryan purchased the hotel. Ryan, who grew up in Big Spring, was determined to revitalize the aging landmark and invested $30 million in its renovation, and the building was impeccably restored with the rich history of the area in mind.