Hi zenny1212,
Here are the locations I narrowed down for you. I think the best
choice is the Gold Pan Bar, however the date is listed differently at
each resource.
Arrow Rock Tavern - 1834
Arrow Rock, Missouri
Phone: 660-837-3200
http://www.arrowrocktavern.com/ (web site is under construction)
http://www.mostateparks.com/arrowrock/misc.htm
..."Built in 1834 by Joseph Huston the Tavern is the oldest continuous
operating restaurant west of the Mississippi River. Continuing its
high tradition of food and service since the day’s of the Santa Fe
Trail. Dine in a historic atmosphere for Lunch and Dinner that
reflects a time of good food and fellowship. Seating for 115.
Banquets, private gatherings, receptions and tour groups are welcome.
Located on main street one block from the Lyceum Theatre. Groups,
reservation requested. Mike & Mary Duncan Proprietors..."
GOLD PAN BAR -- 1859 or 1870-1879(?) or 1881
103 North Main Street
Breckenridge, Colorado
Phone: (970) 453-5499
http://breckenridge.snow.com/info/tn.nightlife.taverns.asp
It will take a phone call to the current owners listed below to get
the exact date.
Scroll to Gold Pan
http://colorado.net/~nord/Documents/BreckTown.html
*NOTE: the web site linked above and quoted below mistyped the date as
1959, it is supposed to read 1859.
..."Enjoy a drink in the longest continuously operating bar West of
the Mississippi. In operation since *1859 the Gold Pan has served as a
rough and ready miners bar, an old west outpost and now as a watering
hole for locals and tourists alike..."
Scroll to Gold Bar
http://breckenridge.snow.com/tn.dining.casual.asp
..."The oldest continuously operating liquor license west of the
Mississippi River, the Gold Pan has been locals' favorite for drinks,
food & fun since 1879. Live entertainment on weekends. Serving
breakfast in the winter..."
From the official Breckenridge Web Site:
http://gobreck.com/index.cfm?linkID=379&showcontentlinkID=379&showtertiarylinks=true&primarylinkID=18&secondarylinkID=379
..."Businesses such as the Gold Pan Saloon surely had a well-traveled
tunnel during those 79 days of snow. The Gold Pan was built in the
1870s and at one time housed a bowling alley in what is now the
restaurant. The bar is said to be one of the oldest continually
operated west of the Mississippi River..."
On the Road with Leah
Collegian Travel & Adventure Magazine
Spring/Summer 2002
3rd paragraph
http://www.collegianmag.com/articles/leah_ss2002.htm
..."after which we went to a great little bar called the Gold Pan
which is known for having the oldest liquor license West of the
Mississippi! The walls were run down with age and the original
decorations still adorned the wooden walls..."
Scroll to Gold Bar
http://www.breckenridgedining.com/MenuSearch.cfm?SelectCategory=american
..."The oldest continuously operating liquor license west of the
Mississippi River, the Gold Pan has been a locals’ favorite for
drinks, food & fun since 1881! ..."
In a couple places on the Internet, the Gold Pan Bar is also called:
Gold Strike Saloon
First Ward House
2101 St. Joseph Ave. St.
St. Joseph, MO
Phone: 816-232-8500
http://img.groundspeak.com/cache/5601_400.jpg
...the oldest bar west of the Mississippi River, located on the
northeast corner of Grand Avenue and St Joseph Avenue, first opened in
1878. The bridge in the background once spanned Chicago Northwestern
tracks. A newer bridge had replaced the old, but now the tracks &
bridge are both gone, as well as the hill.
Originally, the upstairs was a hotel. For decades, it doubled as a
brothel. In the 1950's, bricks from the top 2 floors were used to
reconstruct the Pony Express Stables. Over the years, the building
became very dilapidated and was in danger of being torn down. In 1998,
the new owner totally remodeled the old structure and appears to be
doing a prosperous business..."
Thanks for asking this question, I found it very interesting and
entertaining to research for you!
~~Cynthia
Search strategy used at Google:
oldest * west of the Mississippi
* = saloon, bar, tavern, "liquor license" |
