The stories told about the Wild West was a time of grit, adventure and a touch of lawlessness. Others describe it as lonely trails and six shooters. It might have been a mix of both, but it was also a time of vibrant social life. People were out discovering the West, blazing the trail for the next generation. As people settled, towns were built and the heart of this so-called social life lived in the Saloons. These watering holes served as more than just a place where a cowboy could get a drink; they were centers of communities, hubs for gossip and sometimes theaters of violence.
Here are a few of the most famous Saloons of the Wild West
Dodge City was a lawless town but there were occasional displays of fair play. The story goes there was a friendly ball game between cowboys and soldiers that led to the establishment of the Long Branch Saloon. The wager was that if the soldiers lost they would buy building materials to build a saloon. The soldiers did in act lose and a saloon was built in 1874.
In 1878, the Saloon was acquired by a wealthy farmer and rancher, Chalkley Beeson along with his business partner William Harris. Harris gave his new Saloon the name Long Branch as a tribute to his hometown in Long Branch, New Jersey.
The Long Branch served milk, tea, lemonade, sarsaparilla and many types of alcohol such as champagne and beer. Anheuser-Busch was the original beer served at the Long Branch. Drinks were always served cold at this saloon. During the winter ice was hauled from the river and during the summer ice was shipped from Colorado by train. Entertainment included a nightly five-piece orchestra and poker.
During this time the Long Branch Saloon hosted many notorious western characters including Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Bat Masterson, Charlie Bassett just to name a few. On April 5, 1879, the Saloon was the site of a gunfight between Frank Loving and Levi Richardson. Loving accused Richardson of disrespecting his wife.
In 1855, a fired destroyed the original Front Street buildings, including the Long Branch. Since cattle drives were ending and the rail roads were being constructed the buildings were not rebuilt until 1947.
Despite its sinister name, The Bucket of Blood Saloon gives off an old-time charm of the hey days of the wild west with its many hanging lamps and mirrors. The Saloon was constructed after the fire of 1875 that destroyed virtually all of Virginia City. The Saloon has undergone several renovations over the years, but it has remained at the same location throughout its existence.
In 1997, archeologists discovered that the Bucket of Blood Saloon was constructed over another saloon, the Boston Saloon. The Boston Saloon was owned by William Brown, who was a freed slave from Massachusetts. Brown operated the Boston Saloon in Virginia City from 1864 to 1875 while it was a booming mining town.
The Bella Union was a saloon and theatre operated by Tom Miller. It opened its doors on September 10, 1876 and it was unlike any other saloons. It advertised itself as “Entertainment for ladies and families” and it was said to be the grandest place in Deadwood. Thirty-foot ceilings, three grand entrances, seventeen private boxes and a grand private reception room stretching one hundred and twenty feet in length. As upscale as the saloon was it still offered liquor and a few gambling tables.
Unfortunately, Bella Union’s Life ended in November of 1878 when Miller went bankrupt. The scenery, properties and fixtures were all sold. The large lower floor became a grocery store and storage facility while the upper floor became a Mechanics Hall meeting room. Perkin and Company made a failed attempt to bring the Bella Union back to life producing a new play, but by that time other theatres were established in Deadwood and Bella Union failed.
Before Big Nose Kate’s Saloon opened its doors, the site was home to The Grand Hotel in September 1880. The Grand Hotel was declared one of the finest hotels in the state. During this time, it was the largest and tallest building between St. Louis and San Francisco. The hotel was luxuriously furnished with oil paintings and thick carpets. It had sixteen bedrooms, all furnished with solid walnut furniture, toilet stands, fixtures providing hot and cold water and wallpaper.
The hotel housed some of Tombstone’s most famous residents, Wyatt and Virgil Earp, Doc Holliday and the Clanton Gang. Ike Clanton and two of the McLaury brothers were registered guests the night before the famous OK Corral Gunfight.
Unfortunately the Grand Hotel did not survive the Tombstone fire of May 25, 1882. The only thing that remained standing were seven arches, floor joists on the main level and the original long bar. The rest of the building collapsed.
It is said that the saloon is haunted by Swamper, the hotel’s former handyman, a miner living in the basement. He was said to be a friendly man but was very protective of “his” basement, never allowing anyone in his room. After his death a mine shaft tunnel was discovered and it was alleged that Swamper had been digging late at night in search of his own treasure. The dilemma he had was how to sneak it out without being seen. Legend says that he still guards his treasure to this day. Although said to be harmless, he will push and poke unwelcomed guests in his tunnel until they leave and he enjoys breaking glasses in the saloon.
Today, the building is home to Big Nose Kate’s Saloon. The bar area that was originally housed in the basement is now located on the main floor. The saloon holds the Grand Hotel’s original long bar that survived the fire of 1882. It’s cool to think you can set your elbows down and grab a drink at the very place the Earp’s, Doc Holliday and the Clanton’s once did!
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