Good afternoon, Miss Belle

 

An honest to goodness old west saloon, wow! From my travels through 23 states, ranging from Maine to New Mexico, I have seen some neat and interesting things. However, after entering the Blue Belle Saloon in Guthrie, Oklahoma, I think I found something to top them all.

The doors opened with a creaking sound that is reminiscent of footsteps entering grandma's attic. Authentic old west saloon mirrors with beer bottles serving as its protectors. In front is the bar, which acts as the perfect compliment. The ceiling is as gold as a nugget found in California in 1849. The place is divided into two main rooms and an upstairs, which was Miss Lizzie's Bordello. In the second room on the first floor are more tables and a plethora of merchandise that features signed photographs of Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman (part of Rainman was filmed in Guthrie), pictures and a life-size cut out of Tom Mix, which supposedly shows his bullet wounds, as well as the history of the Blue Belle.

 

After soaking in the rich history it was time to sit down and cure my ailment. The perfect remedy: a pork loin sandwich with French fries and a glass of Dr. Pepper. While the food was on the grill, an older woman with dirty blonde hair and pale grey eyes walked over and pointed out that the saloon still has bullet holes from shotguns and revolvers that dates back to the 1890's when Guthrie was truly rowdy. From Bill Doolin and the Dalton Gang to the "High Fives" Gang, which featured hard faced men like Will "Black Jack" Christian and his brother Bob, Guthrie was a hot bed for lawlessness and excitement. However, other people came to the Blue Belle. President Teddy Roosevelt; philosopher, cowboy and humorist (among other things) Will Rogers and Tom Mix, who once worked as a bartender in the saloon, all sipped a cold one at the Blue Bell.

 

As for the storied saloon, it began as a part of one man's dream. On April 22, 1889, John Sampsel moved his wife and four children from Kansas in order to take advantage of a large land rush in what would become Oklahoma. From there, he opened up a restaurant and several tents called Blue Bell where he sold cigars. However, after a few years Sampsel could not afford the place and lost his lot in a sheriff's auction in 1897. Joseph Hein of the Ferd Heim Brewing Company based out of Kansas City, Missouri won the auction and took possession until 1899. Two years later, the lot was sold along with lot 10 to the Fremont Land and Improvement Company, who replaced the original Blue Belle with better brick and more space, including another level, which featured a gambling hall and 17 rooms.

Prohibition was law of the land as Indian Territory became Oklahoma in 1907.  As a result, all saloons including Blue Belle closed. Shortly after, the name changed to "the Jewel" and it operated as a store. From that time up until the 1930's, the building was occupied by different businesses but mainly remain vacant. The building was again sold in 1934 and exchanged hands with various owners up until 1959 when the state prohibition law was lifted. The building was again purchased and restored and renamed the Blue Belle 1977.

In 2009, the saloon closed, but on September 19, 2012, thanks to Annie Silvers, Brian and Cindy McGhee, it reopened. It is now a restaurant that serves meals and beer as well as hold concerts.

On Saturday's from 10 AM to 2 PM, people get a chance to revisit the Old West by soaking in a burger and witnessing a gunfight.