The building was designed by Bozeman, Montana-based architect Fred Willson and built by local carpenters and craftspeople.”Īnd the City of Anaconda – dating back to 1893 and a with current population of about 10,000, has an interesting history: Club Moderne was built under the direction of owner John “Skinny” Francisco. “The bar was – and still is – a sight to behold, with its rounded front facade and Carrara glass panels that perfectly embody the Art Deco style of architecture popular in the U.S. “Of or relating to the art deco style marked by bright colors and geometric shapes….An architectural and decorative style popular from the 1930s to the 1940s and characterized by streamlined and curved surfaces, strong horizontal lines, and minimal surface ornament.”Īnd the Club Moderne was added to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1986 and described on its website:
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Now even though I was a liberal arts major, I had to look up the definition of “moderne” – it’s defined by the Free Dictionary, in part, as: (Oh yeah, I guess I meet both of those conditions, but you understand my point – the Club Moderne is just very unusual and surprising given the context.) In Big Sky Country, such design was tantamount to finding a liberal arts major at an aggie school like Oregon State University or a guy, in what some regard as the Micro-brew capital of the Western Hemisphere, ordering a Budweiser at after-work gatherings in the PacWest Center in downtown Portland.
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The historic character is usually enhanced by dark wooden bars and backbars and in the New Atlas, spittoons, in the footrest running the full length of the bar.īut the Club had a one-of-a-kind exterior – at least in Montana – and possibly one of just two similar themes in the Western US (see below). One of multiple footrest spittoons at the New Atlas You have another beer to relax under their scrutiny, look around again, and you’re among friends, the animals’ glares having softened to amused acceptance.” ( – Montana Watering Holes by Joan Melcher) ….After a few drinks, you feel countless pairs of eyes bearing down. moose heads, elk heads – buffalo, antelope, mountain sheep – all kinds of head…. “Hulking throughout the room are bald eagles, an albino mule deer fawn, a coyote howling to the moon, young bobcats fighting an Audak (African mountain sheep), a Canadian lynx, raccoon or two, a fox, a snow owl. It’s described by Joan Melcher, author of two outstanding books on historic Montana watering holes: The product of taxidermists is ingrained in the culture – kind of like soccer in Europe and losing in the Pac 12 Athletic Conference since Larry Scott became the Commissioner….Ī notable example is the stuffed alligator hanging over what is reported to be the longest bar in Montana at the Blue Moon Saloon in Columbus Falls – the saloon also has a polar bear and grizzly in a gigantic glass display case among others on display.Īlthough there are too many to mention in this post, don’t forget the albino mule deer fawn tucked in between multiple other formerly wild creatures on the west wall of the legendary New Atlas Saloon in the heart of Columbus – a bar that originated in 1906. The 2019 annual convention of the Montana Taxidermists’ Association in Billings was the most well-attended ever according to the Billings Gazette. Taxidermy is a recurring and dominant theme and as evidenced by the fact that there are 205 taxidermists registered in Montana and Helena even has the Montana School of Taxidermy and Tanning. Now I am not and never will be a hunter, but I loved one almost universal characteristic of the Montana dive bars I visited. That’s because not only is the architecture and décor totally different than any other bar in Montana, the Dakotas, Wyoming and Idaho, but the momentous story that continues to cement the Moderne’s legacy in the robust history of Anaconda is unique.
Due to the number of establishments, aside from the Shame, I have featured multiple watering holes in each post until now - the Club Moderne in the historic mining town of Anaconda.
Now during that time, I hit 29 bars and breweries in pursuit of my Beerchasing retirement hobby started in 2011. Overnight stays in Kalispell, Hamilton, Anaconda and Livingston followed – all wonderful, towns that beckon a return after COVID becomes a vivid memory from 2020 – not one etched into our everyday thoughts and prayers. Devouring John Runkle’s blueberry pancakes in the Yaak River Lodge dining room