Exhibition looks back at Eureka’s old taverns
Humboldt County Historical Society presents ‘watering holes’ photo exhibition
In each of the past dozen years, Joe Walund and Jack Nash have installed historical photos in the Hagopian Gallery on the second floor of the Humboldt County Library, 1313 Third St. in Eureka. Past annual installations have featured businesses, transportation, grocery stores, schools, mills, sports, gas stations, hotels, motels and inns.
This year, saloon aficionados, tavern owners, educators and their students, long-time residents of Humboldt County, people who enjoy adult beverages on the North Coast, historians and those who love vintage photographs will again find plenty to enjoy and appreciate, courtesy of a special photograph exhibit presented by the Humboldt County Historical Society. The theme is “Watering Holes of Humboldt County” — a display showing of some of the historic bars and taverns of the North Coast but these photos represent much more, according to Nash and Walund, both members and past presidents of the Historical Society and men whose appreciation for local history runs as deeply in them as does their dedication to preserving that history and introducing it to others.
The exhibit, with all photos labeled, are composed of “some of our favorites, our personal favorites,” said Nash. “Why? Because Joe and I remember these ourselves. … They’re more than photos. They are part of our memories, our lives.”
Added Wahlund with a laugh, “We frequented these, many of these.”
There are stories remembered, told and re-told, about many of these saloons. The Blue Ox Joint in the 1950s was a dedicated sponsor of Redwood Acres hardtop racing cars, said Walund.
“I never went there, but the sponsored drivers would go down to the Blue Ox for beer and cocktails after every race,” he said.
The oldest active bar in Humboldt County may be the Vista del Mar, a purveyor of adult beverages since the late 1940s, or the Alibi, providing the wherewithal to slake the thirst of its guests since the late 1930s, according to Nash and Walund. One of Nash’s favorite photos shows a man and his beertoting dog strolling along the Arcata Plaza, the Alibi a fitting backdrop for a picture of afternoon relaxation.
One framed display shows dozens of matchbooks from local bars and taverns, a small part of Wahund’s personal collection of memorabilia.
Dozens of photos are included in the exhibit, which will be on view through the end of February.
“Really,” said Nash, “these photos are a visual record of who we were, where we went, how we lived, where we played and relaxed. They are our collective memory on view — especially fond memories for those of us who grew up in Humboldt County.”
The Humboldt County Historical Society maintains the original photos at the society office, 703 Eighth St. in Eureka. Copies of displayed photos are available for purchase. Walund and Nash welcome comments on the exhibits. The Historical
Society welcomes the donations or loan of old photos, originals and copies.
For more information, or to provide information about photos in the exhibit, call the Humboldt County Historical Society at 707445-4342, Jack Nash at 707502-8594 or Joe Walund at 707-499-5645.
“These photos are a visual record of who we were, where we went, how we lived, where we played and relaxed.”
—Jack Nash