Soon the big black bear
will be reappearing in Long Lake. The bear will not be coming out
of the woods. Instead, it will reappear in the old Egans Sportsman’s
Bar.
In the 1920's, Ben Dustin and Rollie
Brooks built the Oldsmobile Garage on Main Street in Long Lake. They
didn't have but one or two cars for people to see. There wasn’t much
money so only a few people could afford to purchase a car.
The garage was sold to Al Egan.
He named the establishment the Sportsman's Bar. Keeping with the
name, he looked for an artist who would paint typical sportsmen's pictures
for the bar.
Wilbur Krueger, Iron River,
did the paintings over 50 years ago. Although there was the painting
of Canadian geese in flight and ducks landing, the main painting was the
BIG BLACK BEAR. Watch his eyes follow you from the doorway to any
point in the bar.
The bar was sold to Al
and Lottie Klima. To reduce the cost of heating the bar, a false
ceiling was built. The paintings were never seen again.
Recently, the bar was purchased
by Robbie Johnson, Kenosha. In remodeling the bar, the old paintings
were uncovered. Robbie was overheard to say, "Oops, my remodeling plans
have changed!" Rumor has it that the paintings are being restored
and will be back in the bar for everyone to enjoy.
And our awesome & talented Long Lake
DISPATCH III Storytellers:
Vance Brooks, Garnett Blankenhorn, Jack
Halada, Fran Hodgson, Sherry McCraw, Bill Roberts, Verlie Streu.
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