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The Bodega Saloon has occupied the main floor
of this building since at least 1893.
Photo, 1880, photo courtesy
Adams Museum
The Bodega Saloon Interior, photo
courtesy
Deadwood Public Library,
Centennial Collection
The oldest operating saloon in
Deadwood
is the Bodega Saloon at 664 Main Street. The building was first
constructed as the offices of the Northwest Express, Stage &
Transportation Company in 1880. However, in 1893, the Bodega Saloon was
established by W.H. Carter. In 1899, Deadwood's first "moving pictures"
were shown here. In 1902, the
saloon was
remodeled and over the years, a variety of businesses were held in the
basement and upper floors of the saloon, but the Bodega remained on the
first floor.
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In the beginning, the
upper floor was used by the Mason, then later by the Eagles and the Elks
until 1904. Later, the upper floor was utilized as a brothel, called
Fern's Mecca Rooms. Run by Ellen Lucille Moore, who was more
familiarly called "Big Lu" because of her massive 300 pound frame, the
brothel thrived during the 1930's. However, in 1943, she was arrested for
"white slavery" and the brothel was closed.
The
saloon today
provides the typical slot machines that are available in
Deadwood, as well as
the tile floor and bar fixtures from the 1902 remodel.
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