Guthrie in Logan County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Blue Bell Bar

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 22, 2019

1. Blue Bell Bar Marker

Inscription. One of the most popular of the numerous saloons in Guthrie during Territorial times, the Blue Bell was an 1889 enterprise of John Selstrom and Jack Tearney. It boasted Tom Mix as a bartender before he departed for stardom in silent films, and Temple Houston, famed attorney, as a favorite customer.

The original frame structure was replaced in 1903 by the present brick edifice, probably Guthrie's only commercial building with two bevelled entryways, front and back. The "C-11" crest over the front doorway is the insignia of Ned Cheadle, local agent and bottler for the Fred Heim Brewing Co., whose brother company, Freemont Land and Improvement Co., built the structure.

Besides the saloon, the building in 1930 housed a restaurant on the Harrison Ave. side and a music store on the south Second St. side. Its upper floor, officially called a "hall", consisted of 17 small rooms surrounding a lobby and was probably a bordello. It was connected in early days by an iron sky-walk to the Elks Hotel across the alleyway.

After prohibition (concurrent with statehood, 1907) various businesses occupied the lower floor. A bar was re-established when prohibition was repealed in 1959, and it was re-named "Blue Bell" in 1977. Much of the original interior is still in place.

Erected 1980

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by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 35° 52.624′ N, 97° 25.643′ W. Marker is in Guthrie, Oklahoma, in Logan County. It is at the intersection of West Harrison Avenue and South 2nd Street, on the right when traveling west on West Harrison Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 224 West Harrison Avenue, Guthrie OK 73044, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma — Frontier Country

and in Greater Oklahoma City.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: International Building (a few steps from this marker); Same Old Moses Saloon (within shouting distance

Former Blue Bell Bar with marker on right by car. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 22, 2019

2. Former Blue Bell Bar with marker on right by car.

of this marker); Reeves Brothers Casino (within shouting distance of this marker); Oklahoma Daily State Capital (within shouting distance of this marker); Office of E.P. McCabe (within shouting distance of this marker); De Ford Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Victor Building (within shouting distance of this marker); U. S. Government Land Office (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Guthrie.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,176 times since then and 130 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 27, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.