According to SHDC officials, the original number three telephone booth — a fixture of the hotel lobby for many years — has been donated by the family of local resident and Big Spring City Councilman Manuel Ramirez Jr.

“We are excited to receive such an impressive gift from Mr. Ramirez and would like to express our appreciation to those individuals responsible for the preservation of these historic pieces,” said G. Brint Ryan, SHDC manager and Big Spring native. “Without these efforts the complete restoration of the Settles Hotel would not be possible.”

The company has also managed to acquire one of the hotel's original lobby desks, a contribution from the family of  Martin County's Grover and Irene Springer, as well as a framed photo of the hotel from the 1930s and four of the building's original exterior doors, donated local residents Jerry Worthy and Bob Noyes.

Ryan said negotiations with the Heritage Museum board of directors for return of the hotel's original lobby  chandelier have been finalized, with efforts to attain the number one telephone booth and switchboard — which are currently on display at the museum — are in the works.

And while several key items have been recovered by the company, Ryan said SHDC is still on the lookout for pieces of the downtown giant's 78-year history.

“SHDC is interested in original building pieces, such as marble flooring, wrought iron railings and doors, as well as furnishings, dinnerware or other original items marked with the Settles Hotel logo,” said Ryan.

Ryan and SHDC announced plans for a multi-million dollar renovation project in December 2006. According to SHDC officials, the project includes plans for commercial and residential use of the property, with retail space available on the first and second floors.

The project's budget has ballooned from $12 million to $20 million since its inception, with abatement of the structure — including removal of asbestos materials — currently under way.

Contact SHDC General Manager Kristopher Ryan at 264-0317 with any questions regarding the search. For more information on the project, visit www.settleshotel.com on the Internet.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it