Dine At An Authentic Saloon At This Historic Restaurant In Oregon For A Trip Back In Time
By Sarah McCosham|Published June 15, 2021
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
The Dalles is one of Oregon’s most historic cities, harkening back to our pioneer roots and ties to the Oregon Trail. There’s a total Western vibe in The Dalles that can’t be denied, and it’s felt in many of the town’s historic buildings — perhaps most of all at the Baldwin Saloon. One of Oregon’s most historic establishments, the Baldwin Saloon is a charming old restaurant that embodies the Beaver State’s proud pioneer spirit.
The Baldwin Saloon has deep roots in The Dalles community. The establishment opened in 1876 with the eponymous Baldwin Brothers, James and John, as its original proprietors.
Over the years, the saloon changed owners many times, housing a restaurant, steamboat navigational office, warehouse, coffin storage site, state employment office, and saddle shop. Each new identity left an indelible mark on the property.
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Finally, in 1991, the Baldwin came full circle, returning to its saloon roots. And after a nearly 30-year run, in 2021 the historic building changed hands once more, with Dalles residents James and Molli Martin taking the reins.
Beautiful, turn-of-the-century oil paintings adorn the brick walls, and the original fir flooring and oak booths speak to a history far beyond the years of any of its guests.
The saloon's most defining feature, the 18-foot mahogany back bar, was made in the early 1900s and has large columns topped with scrolls and the original mirror trimmed with stained glass panels.
Nestled on a ledge above the dining room is an orchestra area, one of the saloon's original features, that boasts a beautiful, 1894 Schubert mahogany piano.
You can discover more about the rich history of The Dalles by walking through its downtown, where a series of murals tell the story of this historic Oregon city!
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