Winter Saloon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Winter Saloon
|
|
The Winter Saloon from the northwest
|
|
 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Elm and Hazel Streets, Norwood Young America, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1890 |
| Architectural style | L-plan |
| MPS | Carver County MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 80001979 |
| Added to NRHP | January 4, 1980 |
The Winter Saloon, also known as Harm's Bar, is a historic building in Norwood Young America, Minnesota. This special structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 4, 1980. This means it is recognized as an important part of American history and culture.
Contents
About the Building
The Winter Saloon stands at the corner of Elm and Hazel Streets. It is in the main business area of what used to be Norwood, Minnesota. In 1997, Norwood joined with Young America to form Norwood Young America.
Building Design
The building has an L-shape and two stories. It is made of wood and covered with overlapping wooden boards called clapboard. The roof has a pointed shape, known as a gable roof. The way the building is shaped allows one part to face the main street for businesses. The other part, used for living, is set back. This creates space for a front porch and a small grassy area.
Outside Features
The front of the business part of the building faces the street. It still has its original windows and storefront design. The windows are double-hung, meaning they have two sashes that slide up and down. They also have decorative tops called cornices. Near the top of the gable, there is a fan-shaped window called a fanlight.
The second floor of the business section used to be a meeting hall. It has an outside staircase that is enclosed. The living part of the building has three sections facing the street. A one-story porch runs along the front of this section. It is held up by simple square posts. The windows in this part are also double-hung and have simple cornices.
Why the Winter Saloon is Important
The Winter Saloon is the oldest and best-kept bar building in Norwood Young America. It is a very noticeable building in the small downtown area.
Early History
The first owners, the Winter Brothers, received the very first license to sell drinks in Norwood in 1891. Their business was on the first floor of the building's commercial section. People sometimes called places like this a "thirst parlor."
The second floor was a meeting hall. Many groups used this space. These included social clubs like the Degree of Honor and Modern Woodmen. The person who ran the business lived in the residential part of the building.
Changes Over Time
When the first license was given in 1891, it cost only $2.08. The business had several owners over the years. It closed during the Prohibition period, which started in 1919. During Prohibition, it was against the law to sell alcoholic drinks.
In 1934, after Prohibition ended, George Harm, Sr. bought the business. At that time, a license cost $200.00. His family owned the business for three generations. It was still open when the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The cost of a license went up over time, reaching $1500 in 1954.
