Bar with a storied past awaits its next chapter in McClusky
A building that has served generations of McClusky residents as a hotel, tavern, restaurant and gathering place now stands at another crossroads, awaiting a new owner and a new purpose.
The building, currently known as the former McClusky Bar and Girll, has been a fixture in the community for well over a century, changing names and ownership numerous times while adapting to the needs of each era.
According to information found in the McClusky Centennial Book, the structure began its life as a hotel operated by Mrs. Smith. Although the dining room was only partially finished, it reportedly served as many as 53 regular customers each day, while 16 sleeping rooms were occupied primarily by railroad workers.
The business was later purchased by C.E. Langfitt, who acquired both the hotel and its 53 boarders. In 1907, a portico considered modern for its time was added to the front of the building. Residents could sit under the covered entrance, observe activity in town and visit with neighbors passing by.
Louis Meyer assumed ownership in 1910 but sold the property in 1912 to pursue farming. In 1918, Grace Langfitt Winter and Peter A. Winter purchased the hotel and operated it until 1928.
A major transformation came in 1930 when Emanuel Schaeffer purchased the building and converted it into a tavern. The Schaeffer family lived in part of the former hotel, utilizing the kitchen, living room and upstairs sleeping quarters. Schaeffer removed the portico and altered the front façade by enclosing the plate-glass storefront area.
Ownership later passed to the Gardiner family, who remodeled the basement into a steakhouse. The business suffered extensive damage during a fire in 1972 but continued to evolve through subsequent ownership changes.