Fire razes historic Raton hotel

RATON, N.M. (KRQE) - A piece of New Mexico history went up in flames Friday night leaving smoldering wreckage in downtown Raton.

Fire departments from Raton, Cimarron and Philmont Scout Ranch battled the flames that engulfed El Portal Hotel in Raton.

Photos provided to KRQE News 13 by Marty Mayfield and KRTN radio showed part of the three-story building collapsing.

The hotel appears to be a total loss. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Local reports indicate about 25 overnight guests and long-term residents escaped without injury.

The hotel, founded as the Seaberg Hotel, dates to about 1904 and was expanded to 100 rooms by 1907, according to an account in the blog Raton, New Mexico Today. Other sources say it was called the Seaburg European Hotel and had grown to 400 rooms in 1914 when it was considered the largest hotel in the state.

Nationally known poet, writer and wit Dorothy Parker was married in the hotel in 1934.