Flagstaff in Coconino County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Rickel & Brooks Bldg.
1911
Photographed by Denise Boose, July 16, 2012
1. Rickel & Brooks Bldg. Marker
The first building on this site was a wooden structure located at 22 N. San Francisco Street dating from the early 1890s. It was the home of a saloon with a cute name, The Office. (Honey I cant come home just yet, Im still at The Office.)
In 1905 T.A. Rickel bought the property. F.E. Brooks bought a half interest from Rickel in 1910 and the pair added a slogan to The Office name, A Resort for Gentlemen.
In March 1911 Rickel and Brooks bought the lot to the south at 20 N. San Francisco Street, which also contained a wooden building. Rickel and Brooks removed both frame buildings and on July 17, 1911, broke ground for the building that is here today, which spans both lots. It is made of brick, with a tuff (native volcanic stone) facing.
The new Office was a success, but all Arizona saloons were shut down when the state adopted Prohibition effective January 15, 1915. Over the years since then the building has been home to a variety of businesses including cafes, dry cleaning establishments and clothing stores.
Many residents remember the north half as Etters Milk Depot from 1928 until 1945. In 1945 I.E. and Louise Bushey purchased it and ran Busheys Fountain Cafe here until 1955.
Erected 1996 by Shirley Westbrook, Sue Bushey Gregg and Parker
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is January 15, 1900.
Location. 35° 11.873′ N, 111° 38.858′ W. Marker is in Flagstaff, Arizona, in Coconino County. It is on North San Francisco Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22 N San Francisco St, Flagstaff AZ 86001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Flagstaff & High Country and in Hopi. It is also in the American Southwest, in the Mountain West, in Colorado Plateau, and at the Four Corners. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Verkamp Building (a few steps from this marker); Babbitt Brothers Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Flagstaff's Third Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Donahue Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Biology (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); International Day of Peace (about 300 feet away); Geology (about 300 feet away); Federal Building / Flagstaff's Fifth Post Office (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flagstaff.
Photographed by Denise Boose, July 16, 2012
2. Rickel & Brooks Bldg. Marker
Photographed by Denise Boose, July 16, 2012
3. Rickel & Brooks Building
Photographed by John M. Andrews, circa 2026
4. Rickel & Brooks Half-Pint Pumpkin-Seed Flask
The flask was recently found in the crawl space under the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany here in Flagstaff. The church opened in 1913, just before Prohibition shuttered Rickel & Brooks. Click on image to enlarge in order to read the label.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 1,338 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 15, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 4. submitted on February 3, 2026. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
