History of the Saloon
The Minturn Saloon building is one of the oldest structures in the town. The railroad
and mining town of Minturn dates back to the 1880’s though this building was constructed
in 1901. There was a fire in the downtown commercial section of Minturn in 1899 and
this building is the result of the recovery effort. To the best of our knowledge it has always
housed a restaurant and bar, though it’s rumored to have provided additional uses. One
retired railroader told us that as a child he served as a runner between the Saloon and homes in Minturn. The present bar room was then a private back room for gambling. Women were not as welcomed at the bar as they are now. So our friend would bring messages telling certain gamblers that their wives expected them back at home. Another local has told us that he played basketball in the room that is now the bar. The beautiful back bar in the dining room was built in the 1830’s in Missouri and arrived here after a stay in Leadville.
Jeff Taylor bought the restaurant back in the 1938. He was a sparing partner of World
Champion boxer and Colorado native Jack Dempsey. Jeff operated the restaurant with the
help of his family for decades. When Vail was being constructed in the early 1960’s, “Jeff’s”
was the place that everyone gathered after work to grab a cold one. Minturn was the only
place in the eastern Eagle County with a grocery store, movie theater, and pharmacy.
In the mid-1970’s, the restaurant was called “The Office”. Bob Cherry purchased it
in 1976, and changed it to “The Saloon Across the Street From the Eagle River Hotel”. It
quickly became know as “The Saloon”. At that time, the Saloon served three meals a day
and had pool tables, pinball, and darts where the bar room is now. The old YMCA behind
the Saloon had been turned into a dorm for ski bums called “The Wrong Side of the Tracks”.
One of Bob’s goals was to turn a tough bar accustomed to weekly fights into a restaurant that ski tourists would want to frequent.
Bob had been a professional baseball player with the New York Yankee organization and
fighter pilot in the Korean War. He put the original Saloon menus together featuring his
love for game birds, ribs, and the tastes of Mexico. The first pieces of memorabilia to go up
on the Saloon wall were of Bob’s baseball buddies and his good friend, John Wayne. The
collection has grown over the years as more and more celebrities have enjoyed
a night at the Minturn Saloon.
Andy Kaufman, Steve Campbell, and Bobby Pelz bought the Minturn Saloon in July of
1986. “Behind the scenes” renovations were begun. The recipes and menu were enhanced,
the memorabilia collection expanded, and the kitchen improved. The Minturn Saloon is now
considered one of the landmark restaurants in the Vail/Beaver Creek area. It is the après-ski
destination of “out of bounds” Vail skiers experiencing the “Minturn Mile”, considered one
of the premiere out of area runs in North America.
After 30 years the Minturn Saloon has expanded the seating area with the construction
of an outdoor riverside deck. It has proven an immediate success with summer diners and
those folks wanting to enjoy a cocktail by the Eagle River. A retractable rainproof awning
will be added so the deck can be enjoyed even through the occasional afternoon rain shower
that Colorado is known for.
We are glad you have chosen to spend an evening with us.
Relax and enjoy a taste of real Colorado!
