For this week’s Monday Memory, let’s talk about Tonkawa’s wild early day saloons. Saloons were also known as a “watering trough, bughouse, shebang, cantina, grog shop and gin mill”. Most were wooden with a false front, wide boardwalk flanking the dusty street and a couple of horse hitching posts. The word Saloon originated as an alternative form of salon, meaning ‘large hall in a public place for entertainment, ect.”
Most of the early saloons were nothing more than tents or shacks that served homemade whisky that included such ingredients as “raw alcohol, burnt sugar and chewing tobacco”. It was said that at one time there were more saloons than any other line of business. In these early days Tonkawa had no lights, no sewers and a small waterworks covered only a small portion of the town. Saloon’s card game gambling and alcohol provided many opportunities for rowdy fights and it was common to see not only fist fights but fatal gun duels in the streets when tempers flared.
Many brothels were rumored to be readily available and “dancing girls” would wave customers in as they walked by. Three Sands provided plenty of thirsty men that could be enticed over for a drink. Even during the state wide prohibition, the townspeople were divided on their opinions of these establishments. Some spoke out against the Saloons, while others were in favor noting that they were providing payment for the city’s expenses which consisted in mostly providing police protection.
Articles found at the McCarter Museum remember when the “Elephant Saloon” was torn down. The Dew Drop Inn and The Maine Saloon were a couple other Tonkawa joints from back in the day. Eventually, the wooden saloons gave way to larger brick buildings that housed much needed furniture and drug stores. As church’s established they gave way for additional types of city revenue. Unfortunately, very few photos exist of the Saloons. I have include a few photos that I found in the Tonkawa Historical Society Facebook page!
Source: Pieces of the Past by Marilee Helton, Tonkawa News Sept. 4, 1924.
...
