History Happy Hour Features Mint Bar

On Friday, August 30, the Museum at the Bighorns held their History Happy Hour program at the Mint Bar. A large crowd gathered in the bar, had a drink and learned about the history of the Mint from Manager Kat Deeds.

Before the talk, Museum Board Member Greg Luhman spoke about the museum and some of the upcoming events, including their fund raiser, Feast of the Harvest Moon coming up on September 21, to support their move into the old Woolworth Building. There was also a donation box for anyone wishing to donate. Donates are accepted anytime as well.

Other upcoming events will include.

He then turned it over to Kat Deeds, saying, “It’s all about Kat,” She responded,

Deeds added that the police knew what was going on and they would shut it down for a week or so and then it would start up again. Later, Deeds took a few people at a time into the small back room, which once was the Speakeasy and gambling room. She said that the second owner of the bar was big into gambling, and he started the gambling in the back. There is a photo of that owner on the wall, and it is the oldest photo of the bar.

Along with the photos on the walls, there are original newspaper articles from just after the Custer Battle.

She talked about some bullet holes that had been painted over on the ceiling, saying she discouraged shooting in the bar, as well as riding horses into the bar, as the cowboys used to do.

She also pointed out the hunting trophies on the walls, saying “No, we are not PETA Friendly.” There is a Texas rattlesnake skin above the bar which is over 8 foot long with 28 buttons.

The bar has had 14 owners total in its 117-year history. She talked about the female managers and bartenders at the Mint, saying that it is still written in law that women are not allowed to be with five or ten feet of the bar.

She said that at one time ice to keep the beer cool was brought in with horse carriage and stored in the basement, which is very scary and dangerous, she added. The beer is now it is stored upstairs. She talked about the importance of the history of the Mint Bar.

She added “We have people come here for their weddings; we have people come here for their funerals. People come here on their good days and people come in here on their bad days.” Bars are a place in a community where people gather, for good or for bad.

Movies have included the Mint as well, notably “Wild Horses” with Kenny Rogers.

The Mint Bar, a part of Sheridan for 117 years