| The Padre Hotel | |
| Image Alt: | Exterior image of the Padre Hotel. |
| Building Type: | Hotel |
| Architectural Style: | Spanish Colonial Revival |
| Structural System: | Brick and mortar construction |
| Owner: | Padre Partners, LP |
| Location: | Bakersfield, California |
| Address: | 1702 18th St |
| Coordinates: | 35.3754°N -119.0217°W |
| Renovation Date: | 2002-2010 |
| Height: | 113.8feet |
| Floor Count: | 8 |
| Elevator Count: | 2 |
| Architect: | John M. Cooper (1928) |
| Ren Architect: | Graham Downes |
| Website: | http://www.thepadrehotel.com |
| References: | The Padre Hotel[1] Kern County Museum[2] |
The Padre Hotel is a historical landmark hotel located on the corner of 18th and H streets in Bakersfield, California. Originally constructed in 1928 as a luxury hotel and restaurant, the eight-story building went through an extensive renovation and reopened in 2010.[3]
Originally built in 1928, the eight-story Spanish Colonial Revival hotel had an auspicious and flamboyant beginning in the Central Valley's early and notorious oil rush days, but none quite so colorful as that of Milton “Spartacus” Miller, who purchased The Padre in 1954. For the next 45 years, he did spirited battle with Bakersfield's city fathers over a myriad of issues, even mounting a fake missile on the roof, defiantly directed at City Hall with no small disdain. Miller died in 1999.
A fire on the seventh floor in the 1950s resulted in many deaths, including children. There have also been many suicides from the roof of the Padre Hotel.
The Padre Hotel fell into disrepair and was a derelict hotel from the 1960s until its most recent renovation in 2010. Prior to that renovation, the upper floors were condemned but often had squatters occupying the rooms. The bar downstairs stayed open.
The 7th floor where the fire occurred is considered to be haunted. Many people who stay on up the floor report doors slamming, as well as handprints that always stay after an attempt to wipe them off.[4]