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Kirkwood Inn & Saloon facts for kids
| Kirkwood Inn & Saloon | |
|---|---|
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| Location | State Route 88, Kirkwood, California |
| Built | 1864 |
| Architect | Zachary Kirkwood |
| Architectural style(s) | Log cabin |
| Reference no. | 40 |
The Kirkwood Inn & Saloon is a historic restaurant and bar in Kirkwood, California, United States. It's also known as Kirkwood Station or Kirkwood's. This special place sits where three different county lines meet: Alpine, Amador, and El Dorado counties. It's located high up in the mountains, about 7,800 feet (2,400 m) above sea level. The Inn was built a long time ago in 1864 and is now recognized as a California Historical Landmark.
History of Kirkwood Inn
In 1860, a pioneer named Zachary Kirkwood moved to this area from Ohio. A pioneer is someone who is among the first to explore or settle a new region. He bought three large pieces of land, each about 160-acre (65 ha). He used this land to start a cattle ranch, where he raised cows.
In 1864, Zachary Kirkwood built and opened Kirkwood Station. It was an inn (a small hotel), a post office, and a restaurant all in one. Its location was very useful because it was right where three county lines met. This made it a popular stop for cattle ranchers and passing Washoe people.
During a time called Prohibition, it was against the law to make or sell alcoholic drinks in the United States. The Kirkwood Inn had a clever way to deal with this. They had a bar on wheels! They would move the bar across the different county lines that met inside the building. This way, they could try to avoid certain law enforcement officers who might be visiting from a specific county. It's also thought they did this to avoid paying certain fees. They even had slot machines hidden in the kitchen!
In the 1960s, the people who later founded the Kirkwood Mountain Resort came to visit the area. A huge snow storm happened, and the entire inn was buried under the snow. The founders had come with a team to measure the snow. They used their long survey poles to find the top of the Inn. After they found the building, they were able to get inside. They ended up living in the buried building for eight days!
Kirkwood Inn Today
The Kirkwood Inn is still a working restaurant and bar today. It is owned by the Kirkwood Mountain Resort. It's an eco-friendly place, which means it tries to be good for the environment. All of its food packaging is biodegradable (it breaks down naturally) or recyclable (it can be made into new things).
The Inn also uses natural cleaning products. They use LED lighting, which saves energy. Plus, they recycle their cooking oil and turn it into biodiesel, which is a type of fuel.
Architecture and Design
The Kirkwood Inn is built like a traditional log cabin. A log cabin is a house or building made from logs, which are tree trunks that have been cut. Today, it has a painted wooden sign outside that helps it keep its traditional, rustic (country-style) look.
Inside, the bar is made of mahogany, which is a strong, reddish-brown wood. The Inn also has a stone fireplace and furniture made from timber (wood). The stone fireplace now has a gas insert, making it easier to use. The doorway is smaller than most doors we see today, adding to its old-fashioned charm.