#2623 - Brass Rail, Rosalia, WA - 9/13/2014

The Brass Rail, Rosalia, WA

A dozen years before the town of Rosalia, Washington was founded, the area was the scene of a battled declared as one of the last Native American victories over Europeans in the Washington Territory. "It is widely accepted that on May 6, 1858, Colonel Steptoe left Fort Walla Walla to reach Fort Colville. Accompanying him were the C, E, and H companies of the 1st Dragoons and the E company of the Ninth Infantry, along with five company officers, 152 enlisted men, and several Nez Perce scouts. Halfway to their destination, Steptoe and his troops realized their route took them into Coeur D’Alene tribal lands—an action in direct conflict of the Indian Treaty of 1855. On May 16, 1858 the tribes and military met and a battle ensued, lasting until the afternoon of the 17th." (sos.wa.gov)

The Brass Rail, Rosalia, WA

Accounts differ on how Col. Steptoe escaped the gathered Coeur D'Alenes, Yakimas, Spokanes, and more with losses of just 10 men and 30 horses. But the long term winners are clear enough, as the tribes were removed from the area with the 1871 Indian Appropriations Act, and Rosalia founded one year later. Today Rosalia, 96.5% white and 0.4% Native American in the last census, marks the event with their annual Battle Days celebration.

As the railroads and grain warehouses went up in the 1880s, Rosalia grew to almost a thousand residents, with two bars in town by the 1890s, a state that appears to have remained through most of the town's history until 2007, when the Longhorn Cafe burned down and left the Brass Rail as the only bar ever since. Most the businesses have died out in Rosalia, as it evolved into a bedroom community of Spokane and the other larger cities around it.

I do not know how old the Brass Rail is, nor the history of the 1905 building in which it sits. Today it is a lively bar and restaurant, with classic diner food, karaoke, darts, and trivia nights. It's a quite comfortable setting with conestoga wagon wheel chandeliers and a pleasantly random collection of bric-a-brac -- although at some point someone made some regretable decisions with a bucket of white paint, ranging from the minor abuses of painting random bricks to the epic tragedy of coating the antique Brunswick bar in the stuff. But it remains a good stop on an eastern Washington roadtrip.

This makes me want to cry ...

529 N Whitman Ave, Rosalia, WA 99170 - (509) 523-3601                    
Est. ? - Building constructed: 1905
Web site: facebook
Reviews: yelp - beststreetfairs - youtube (small town struggles video) 

#2622 - Rialto Tavern, St. John, WA - 9/13/2014

The Rialto Tavern, St. John, WA

The town of St. John, Washington, is located in eastern Washington, about 10 miles from the Idaho border, and along Highway 23 between Steptoe and Sprague. The Railto Tavern is the only bar in the town of about 500 residents, and one of two restaurants. It is inside an red brick building on Front Street, as the highway becomes, with a modest sign attached to the corrugated tin awning. I was told that it has been here since the 30s and been named the "Rialto" for at least 40 years. Ward and Kathy Pierce recently ran it for about 20 years, through this visit, before retiring, and Ward passed away in Dec. 2016. Kathy was our bartender for this visit, and she served up dive-style drinks and the most massive club sandwich I've ever seen -- the "Wardo's Sub."

The Rialto Tavern, St. John, WA

The Rialto is open for family dining until 6pm, and from the front door you can walk through the brighter diner portion in front to the more woody, dark, and bar-like rear portion. There you have more typical small town tavern decor -- hunting trophies, photos of local sports teams, and corporate beer paraphernalia, along with the sort of unique touches that mark a fine dive. For example there's an old wooden cabinet decorated with a mid-century nude pin-up and an index card listing the elevations of nearby communities. It gives every indicaiton of just the sort of community space you'd want in a small town like St. John.

The Wardo Sub, Rialto Tavern, St. John, WA

Locals chat outside the Rialto Tavern, St. John, WA

17 E Front St, St John, WA 99171 - (509) 648-3876
Previous bars in this location:  None known
Web site: facebook
Reviews: yelp 

#2621 - Sonny's Tavern, Washtucna, WA - 9/12/2014

Sonny's Tavern, Washtucna, WA

There's not a whole lot more to the town of Washtucna, Washington than Sonny's Tavern -- and what else there is can be listed on one sign as you enter town. The population is a little under 200 and slowly trending downward, as in so many other small, agricultural towns. But having such a small population doesn't mean that they don't have conflicts now and then, and bartender Nancy and local Michael talked about the night that Ronnie -- who may have had Altheimers or maybe not -- got crazy drunk and attacked her trying to twist her neck. She fell on Ronnie's gun, and after that the neighbors soon took his guns away -- at least for a spell. Later Ronnie got into an argument with his neighbor Larry Turner, soon returning in his car to Larry's house, accusing him of stealing his dog, and firing his shotgun at him. Larry returned fire with three shots from his .357 revolver and Ronnie was dead.

Inside Sonny's the scene is bright -- too brightly lit for a bar, in my view, but the owners have focused on creating a family restaurant atmosphere. Sonny's dates back to 1964, although it was briefly Frank's Tavern a few years ago before restoring the name. One of the highlights of the entire area is the broasted chicken at Sonny's. We didn't have dinner in this visit, but both the locals and tourists rave about it. They probably don't rave about the cocktails -- the drink choices are pretty limited -- but like I said, the owners have focused on the family restaurant portion of the business, and anyway, it's the only bar in town.

Washtucna, Washington

Down the road there's a house that's plainly been victimized too many times by theft. The chain link fence around the large yard now features several plywood signs that make it clear that Ronnie was not the only local who's ready to take justice into his own hands if he thinks someone is stealing from him. Just up Main Street from Sonny's there are several nice old buildings. Some of them seem to be holding up well, like the old, stone Bank of Whitman building, but many more are faded and crumbling -- as empty as the large grain silo on the edge to town. As for Sonny's, it is open until 8pm weeknights and 10pm on weekends, and after that, it's pretty much lights out in Washtucna.

Washtucna, Washington

250 Main St, Washtucna, WA 99371 - (509) 646-3314
Est. 1964
Previous bars in this location: Frank's Tavern
Web site: facebook
Reviews: yelp - tripadvisor 

#2620 - Rawhide Bar N Grill, Starbuck, WA - 9/12/2014

Rawhide Bar N Grill, Starbuck, WA

Just 15 miles from Palouse Falls in the southeast of Washington State is the town of Starbuck, population about 130, not far from Tucannon, Riparia and Joso, and no relation to the coffee corporation. The town was named after a railroad executive, and has basically been dwindling downward ever since around the turn of the century (that is, the turn of the last century). The traffic through down started dropping off in 1914 when the Lyons Ferry Bridge was built over the Snake River. In 1919 the town bank failed, and in 1956 the high school shut down. But from February 2011 to November 2015 there was one heck of a good old country honky tonk in town.

Mary Jo and Dan Sanderlin moved here from Colorado after visiting Starbuck to visit Dan's mom at her tackle shop. Mary Jo once ran the Sand Bar in Moses Lake, and the couple moved from jobs at a waste water treatment plant in Kalispell Montana, to a fish ladder in Thompson Falls, to laying pipe in Rifle, Colorado. They heard of a big empty building in town and decided to sell their ATVs to fund converting it into the Rawhide Bar N Grill. (Owner comments in Yelp) 

They are super friendly people and their joint was a lot of fun while it lasted. They had buckets of beer, lots of country dancing, and steaks rolling in off the barbecue grill. They had poker games, horse shoes outside, and an annual Redneck Games. It seemed like the perfect rural stop in a tiny, out of the way town, and it's sad to see it go.

211 Main St, Starbuck, WA 99359 - (509) 399-2222

Est. Feb 18, 2011
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: facebook
Reviews: yelp - tripadvisor 

#2619 - Slim's Bar and Grill, Lind, WA - 9/12/2014

Slim's Bar & Grill, Lind, WA

Update: Skip Thompson passed away and Slim's decor was auctioned off and the bar closed in 2023

If you like old, historic bars -- or if you like any bars with a lot of character (and a few characters), whenever you are in eastern Washington it will be well worth going out of your way to stop in Lind, WA and Slim's Tavern, one of my very favorite old bars in the state. There you'll probably find Floyd "Skip" Thompson, an ex-Marine who purchased the place 40 years ago and plans to continue running the place until he the day he dies. The traditional American food from the restaurant portion looked very good, but we had eaten shortly before arriving. The drinks are pretty simple and standard, but it is the place itself that is the major attraction. The walls of the fairly large main floor are filled with historical photos and artifacts. Every single person there was super welcoming, and ready to tell us stories of the place. And if you have not been yet, be sure to ask if you can take a look downstairs, which is fairly extraordinary, and worth the risk that you won't come out alive.

Slim's Bar & Grill, Lind, WA

I have found sources stating that Slim's was founded in 1909, 1912, 1913 and 1916. They all agree that it was founded by G.L. "Slim" Nichols, and the source that seems to have the best background information is the June 3, 1963 issue of the Lind Leader, which dates it to 1916. This article goes on to say that in 1946 Nichols retired and left the bar and restaurant in the hands of his son George Nichols and son-in-law Wendell Longmeier. It was then sold to Paul Casey in the 50s, and subsequently run by J.R. Winborn, Floyd Duncan, and Merlin Toland. We chatted with Ray Baker, a friend of Skip's, who has helped with some work on the place and doubts that Skip makes any money at all off the place these days.

Slim's Bar & Grill, Lind, WA

Last but not least, if you happen to be headed to Slim's around the second week of June -- or if you are just looking for the ideal time to go -- you absolutely must check on the dates of the annual Lind Combine Demolotion Derby, which is preceded by a parade through town.

Slim's owner, Skip Thompson

2016 Combine Demolition Derby, Lind, WA

A younger Skip Thompson

121 N I St, Lind, WA 99341 - (509) 677-8854                
Est. 1916?
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site:  slimsbarandgrill.net - facebook
Reviews: roadtrippers - yelp 

#2618 - Lee's Tahitian, Richland, WA - 9/12/2014

Lee's Tahitian, Richland, WA

Established as the Vina's Tahitian in 1952, following approximately two years as "The Mixer," Lee's Tahitian is a classic, mid-century dive tiki bar that also appears to be the longest running bar in the Tri-Cities area of Washington state. It retains the striking neon signage outside, a Witco fountain, space age interior lighting, a tiki lounge in back, and another bar in the Chinese restaurant portion in front. For a little more history, I will quote the Critiki entry:

"Lee's Tahitian is an old Chinese/Polynesian restaurant in Richland. It opened in 1952 as Vina's Tahitian, became C & L Tahitian in 1956 (so named for its then-owners, Chin & Lee), and then became Lee's Tahitian when Lee bought out Chin in 1976. The restaurant changed ownership in 1996 and became a karaoke bar. Today it is admittedly downtrodden, but still has tons of beautiful history, starting with the dramatic neon signage that remains. Inside there are still traces of Polynesian decor, including some Witco pieces."

The drinks in the lounge are of classic dive bar quality and strength with lots of candy-style cocktails to coax amateur drinkers to the karaoke microphone.

1342 Jadwin Ave, Richland, WA 99354 - (509) 946-1068
Est. 1952
Previous bars in this location: The Mixer
Web site: facebook
Articles ranked: tikiroom - critiki - yelp - tripadvisor 

#2617 - Baldwin Saloon, The Dalles, OR - 9/12/2014

Baldwin Saloon, The Dalles, OR

Baldwin's Restaurant was first founded in this location in 1876 and soon became a saloon, still in the midst of the gold rush days when the Dalles had some 30 saloons. The building hosted a range of non-bar businesses for most of the 20th century until 1991, when Mark and Tracy Linebarger purchased the building and refashioned it into the Baldwin Saloon again.

The Dalles, Oregon was named for the French word for "slab" ("dalle"), inspired by the flat slabs of rock that populated this part of the Colulmbia river. The locals will tell you that the city was the true termination of the Oregon Trail, as gold miners and other emigrants ended the land portion of the route here and floated the rest of the way to the coast down the Columbia.

The current Baldwin Saloon offers a large menu of mostly traditional American favorites made from scratch, with an occasional anomaly ("Chef Tammy's Thin Mint rubbed lamb roast!"). They have a very nice selection of craft beers and their cocktails -- well, let's just say the cocktails are not among the many reasons it is worth going out of your way to stop by.

Baldwin Saloon, The Dalles, OR

Above the dark woody booths and wainscoting and around the attractive, antique, mahogany back bar the exposed brick walls are covered with period oil paintings, with the focus on a growing collection by landscape artist John Englehart. The owners were not afraid to take an ethical stand on the 2017 "Day Without Immigrants," and include a few offbeat attractions. Perched on a ledge high about the tables is an 1894 Schubert mahogany piano, which includes a live pianist on weekends, described thusly: "Caroline Homer, 78, who's been playing an 1894 Schubert piano at the Baldwin every Friday and Saturday night for 20 years, except when she goes elk hunting."

To close with a bit more history I quote the saloon's own web site:

"It all began in 1876 with the Baldwin Brothers, James and John, as the original proprietors of the Baldwin Saloon. With the railroad right out front and the Columbia River nearby, business at the Baldwin Saloon kept the two brothers busy, as it was said to be the headquarters for the many men who worked the river and the railroad.Following the era of the Baldwin brothers, an interesting fellow by the name of Dr. Charlie Allen operated a saloon in this same building. Allen was an arrogant man who used the title “doctor”, although his previous occupation consisted of simply selling and adjusting eyeglasses.Allen insured his time spent at the Baldwin Saloon would go down in history when he had caduceus (medical insignias) included in the cast façade that trims the original front of the building. This cast iron façade was made specifically for this building by Golden State Iron Works in San Francisco.During the ownership of Dr. Charlie Allen, a brothel in a small frame building was attached to the back of the saloon. The operator of this establishment later married Allen, and they operated their businesses together.

The Baldwin Saloon
Photo from Wasco County Pioneer Assoc.

Since those colorful times 0f long ago, the Baldwin Saloon building has served many other purposes including a restaurant, a steamboat navigational office, a warehouse, a coffin storage site for a nearby mortuary and a state employment office.In 1962, Garth and Evelyn Bonney purchased this building for their business, Bonney Saddle Shop. For nearly 30 years Garth worked at this location making quality saddles by hand, a rare and true art passed on to him by his father. Then, only months shy of Garth’s 80th birthday, the Bonneys retired, selling their building to Mark and Tracy Linebarger, new owners with an old business in mind.They restored the saloon to its original use as a restaurant and bar. ‘the renovation process, including the conversion of the unfinished basement into a commercial kitchen, took almost one full year. Finally, on December 15, 1991, the Baldwin Saloon opened its doors and welcomed history all over again.

Today’s Baldwin Saloon certainly doesn’t have the bawdy atmosphere of its predecessor. The interior has a simple, yet elegant look that radiates warmth and comfort. Rich mahogany and golden oak booths and tables are complemented by various brass fixtures throughout the restaurant. Beautiful turn-of-the-century oil paintings are all around, and the original brick walls and old fir floor have been uncovered and given new life.

Inside the Baldwin Saloon are several old fixtures of interest. The most talked about is an 18-foot long mahogany backbar made in the early l900s. It features large columns topped with scrolls and the original mirror is trimmed with stained glass panels.

A large pendulum clock with local historic significance now hangs in the Baldwin Saloon. In 1879, this clock hung in the Umatilla House, another historical building which carries much of The Dalles’ early history. This unique clock was made in the early 1800’s and is inscribed “This clock belongs to Judd S. Fish”, who was one of the owners of the Umatilla House. Another clock like this one, but still in its original wood encasement, can be seen at the Fort Dalles Museum.

At the end of the bar is a big brass cash register that today’s bartenders use with the same enthusiasm as they did in the 1920s. To ring up a sale, the bartender must crank around the register’s arm, which in turn opens one of the three mahogany drawers the register rests on. Also on display are an old floor safe and a scale, both originally used by saddle maker Henry Kuck. Ralph Bonney (Garth Bonney’s father) and Henry Kuck were partners in the saddleshop business years ago. Kuck and Bonney Saddles was located at the corner of 2nd and Laughlin downtown The Dalles. This is where Garth first got started in the business.

Nestled up on a ledge above the dining tables is a 1894 Schubert mahogany piano. Weekend evening guests are entertained by melodies of the past sent sweeping through the building, creating a genuine feeling for the turn of the century.

The Baldwin Saloon’s history is forever in the making. As additional Englehart oil paintings are acquired and historically significant pieces are found, they will continually be added to the collection that makes the Baldwin Saloon so unique. This is a building whose spirit will live on forever."

Source: http://baldwinsaloon.com/our-history/



205 Court St, The Dalles, OR 97058 - (541) 296-5666
Est. 1876/1991 - Building constructed: 1876
Web site: baldwinsaloon.com - facebook
Reviews: eater - sticksandscones - yelp - tripadvisor - judysbook