Upshaw & Williams Cold Storage Bar Saloon

Date: Feb 1903 to 16 Nov 1907
Location: Wanette, Pottawatomie, Oklahoma, United States
Surnames/tags: Wanette_Pottawatomie_Oklahoma Wanette_Research_History

Upshaw & Williams Cold Storage Bar Saloon: John Upshaw & A. P. Williams, Proprietors.[] This was the very first saloon to be opened in Wanette in February 1903, near the south and east side of the Santa Fe train depot. They sold Beer, Wine, Liquor, Ice and Cigars. They were Oklahoma wholesale dealers in Brewing Companies Beer, specifically the Indianapolis Brewing Co. The ice came in on the train and the saloon had a cold storage for the selling of ice. Some customers received goods on credit and the Cold Storage saloon always demanded their bills to be paid every Monday morning. [] They distributed 5 cent tokens with the name “Upshaw & Williams on one side and “Good for 5 cents of trade” on the reverse side. In 1939, Mrs. Upshaw was interviewed by Miss Winnie Dawson, Mrs. Upshaw said “she remembers so many Irishmen working on the railroad tracks. The work station carried material and men and laid the track ahead of the train. Mr. Upshaw made $3 or $4 a day off of those Irishmen, as they were really fond of their beer and whisky. Once this saloon opened, eight others opened soon afterwards, making a total of nine saloon’s open in Wanette. John Upshaw was there and saw the first Santa Fe train come into Wanette”. This business closed on Nov 16, 1907, upon Statehood. After the Saloon closed, Mr. Upshaw only sold ice and farmed. Advertisement posted in the Wanette Winner, 2 Jun 1904.