People are what make history. That’s why at The Strater Hotel we believe that our history is being made every day — with each guest visit, each cheers at the Diamond Belle Saloon, each business discussion at The Office Spiritorium, and each gathering of friends over fantastic food at The Mahogany Grille. The Barker Family is honored that — even by visiting our website and reading this far — you have chosen to be part of our story. Our gratitude for continuing The Strater Hotel’s living history.
MEET THE OWNERS
THE BARKER FAMILY
EARL BARKER, SR.
While the Strater’s story began in 1887, the Barker Family’s Strater history started when Earl A. Barker Senior purchased the Strater Hotel in 1926. Earl was then President of the Burns National Bank in Durango. His view of the banking business was that it was “good to get out of.” Up until 1933, Earl Sr. had to deal with the Prohibition years. There is a story of bootleg liquor being stashed under the Strater elevator! In 1938, construction on the “back 40” began – adding an additional 40 rooms which was completed in 1941. Earl, Sr. guided the company for 28 years before handing the reins to his son Earl Junior in 1954.

EARL BARKER, JR.
In 1954, Earl Barker, Jr. and his wife Jentra Barker returned to Durango to assist Earl Sr. with operating the hotel and were the major influence in the hotel’s amazing restoration which began in 1957. The hotel’s maintenance staff, headed by master craftsmen Charles Schumacher and Bill Miller, restored the hotel with authentic American Victorian walnut furnishings and features — today, the world’s largest collection. One of the best stories of Earl Jr.’s vision for The Strater was in the resurrection of The Diamond Belle Saloon in 1957. Learn more of this story by downloading this history sheet about the Diamond Belle.

RODERICK BARKER
In 1983, Earl Jr’s son and Earl Sr.’s grandson, Roderick Barker took the helm. Rod and his wife Laurie have overseen installation of fine woodwork and beautiful hand-printed Bradbury & Bradbury wallpapers, continue to collect amazing Victorian walnut furnishings, create interesting storied showcases of times past in the Old West, and have made each of the 93 guestrooms into unique stories of history with all the modern amenities of today. Together with master woodworker, Charles Schumacher, Rod designed and remodeled the hotel lobby, the jaw-dropping Office Spiritorium, the beautiful Mahogany Grille Restaurant, the Pullman Room and more. The Strater Team of craftsman continue to bring life into this living history museum each and every day.
800.247.4431
BEGIN YOUR STRATER EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU BOOK WITH US.