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Gala to honor Hotel Baker's 90th anniversary

The historic Hotel Baker has been a fixture of downtown St. Charles from the moment it opened June 2, 1928. Ninety years later, owners are throwing a celebration to honor the man whose vision and investment brought the hotel to life.

There were few things Col. Edward J. Baker loved as much as his riverfront hotel at 100 W. Main St., owner and general manager Rowena Salas said. The St. Charles native and philanthropist spared no expense building and furnishing the establishment, which he called his "pride and joy."

"I love that statement because you can really see, even back then, how he treated the hotel and how he staffed it and wanted it to be the best of the best," Salas said.

A few years later, Baker acquired another prized possession: his legendary trotter, Greyhound, who held several world records and won the prestigious Hambletonian race in 1935. The horse was buried on Red Gate Farm and is featured in the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame in New York.

Baker's love for Greyhound and passion for harness racing inspired the theme of Hotel Baker's 90th anniversary gala Saturday evening, Salas said.

More than 400 guests are expected to attend the invitation-only event, which will include a red carpet entrance, live music and Derby-inspired hors d'oeuvres. Turf will cover the marble floors, and the ballrooms will be decorated with roses, horse heads and emerald green furnishings to represent the hotel's milestone.

A pop-up exhibit organized in collaboration with the St. Charles History Museum will display some of Baker's personal belongings, as well as artifacts exemplifying the hotel's historical significance. The exhibit also will show video footage of Baker and Greyhound.

"The gala is really honoring Colonel Baker for his vision and his building of the hotel - and his love for horses," Salas said. "Greyhound is included in that because he was so special."

Hotel Baker, a historic landmark, was honored May 21 at a St. Charles city council meeting, where Mayor Ray Rogina awarded the Salases and their employees a key to the city. Rowena and her husband, Joe, have owned the establishment for about 15 years.

"The beauty of the building itself, the gardens in the back and what's been maintained there because of the work of all these individuals and the Salas family today is something that we perhaps sometimes take for granted in St. Charles, and we should not," Rogina said. "We have three historic landmarks downtown here, and one is Hotel Baker. For that, we are very grateful."

The city also recognized the 90th anniversaries of three other St. Charles organizations: Blue Goose Market, the Evergreen Pub & Grill and the Pottawatomie Garden Club. The iconic Arcada Theatre celebrated its 90th birthday two years ago.

"There were a lot of things going on (in the 1920s), but Hotel Baker was at the center of town and had such a grandeur and splendor for everybody to enjoy," Rowena Salas said. "Little did we ever imagine that we'd be here for the 90th. We're glad to be here to celebrate it."

The gala will feature a performance by American Idol contestant Trevor Holmes, who is flying in from Los Angeles, as well as music by The Champagne Kings, the Tom Linsk Band and pianist Johnny Burnett. A 10-minute fireworks display will begin about 9:30 p.m., weather permitting, and will be visible from the Main Street Bridge.

  Hotel Baker in downtown St. Charles will celebrate its 90th anniversary Saturday. Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
Col. Edward J. Baker built the Hotel Baker in downtown St. Charles in 1928. Courtesy of the St. Charles History Museum
Rowena and Joe Salas, with sons Antonio and Emilio, have owned Hotel Baker in downtown St. Charles for 15 years. Courtesy of Salas Family
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