Baldwin Saloon in The Dalles

Saloon Dining in Oregon

Here's another throwback post! 

Don and I found the Baldwin Saloon 2 years ago, while traveling in Oregon. 

On the Road

In August 2022, Don and I made the pretty drive from Spokane to Portland.  

We'd been driving along the Columbia River, admiring the water and bluffs, when we arrived in The Dalles.

The Dalles?

I knew nothing about The Dalles, but the small city looked pretty when we drove through on a sunny summer day. "What's with that name?" I kept wondering.

The word dalles was evidently used by fur traders to describe the rapids in a river, between high rock walls. After our drive, that suddenly made sense! I tucked that knowledge away and focused on finding a place for lunch.

Built 1876

On the edge of town, not far from the Columbia River, we found the Baldwin Saloon. 

The long, narrow structure was built by the Baldwin brothers,  (James & John) in 1876.

Exterior
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​A plaque near the door told us, it was one of the oldest commercial buildings in The Dalles. It looked like it had been recently spiffed up.

The freshly painted facade, (facing First Street and the river) showed cast iron pilasters. I assume those were tall doors, between the decorated columns.

New Entrance

​The newer side entrance looked attractive with potted plant arrangements on either side to the door.

We headed inside and found the place still hopping at 1:30 pm.

Mahogany Bar

We were seated at a small table near the back of the saloon. Over my right shoulder I had a good view of the 18-ft mahogany bar. 

There was a lot to amuse me as we waited for our food. The guests seated at the bar were entertaining. They all seemed to know each other. The lovely ladies (in gold frames) had me chuckling. I counted 9 scantily clad women nearby.

There were lots of ladies on those blue walls! And lots interesting guests sitting on blue velvet chairs. Don and I were definitely the oldest people in the crowd. And possibly the only guests who weren't local. Many folks greeted each other, like this was a regular meet up spot on Fridays.

RR Tracks and River

Behind my chair there were rows of booths and more curious decor. The dark walls were covered in framed art and antiques were displayed on a platform near the ceiling. 

The tables in the front had a view First Street and railroad tracks. The river was just beyond. When the Baldwin Brothers first opened their saloon, they catered to rail men and sailors. Good to place to put a saloon... near tracks and river!

Art and Brick

Besides partially nude women, there were lovely landscape paintings. Reminders of how Oregon looked, back in wilder days.

The brickwork behind those paintings was pretty wild also! Should have snapped a close up.

1876 and 2022

During our visit 2 years ago. I remember studying all the art and fixtures and wondering what the "decor" looked like, when the brothers opened their saloon 140 years ago. 

How did this place look, when a nearby mortuary used the building for coffin storage? And what did this space look like in 1962, when Bonney Saddle Shop started up an operation making custom saddles?

Food & Flower

Don and I finally turned our focus to food. I of course had to get one photo to show just how large and lovely the painting was, above Don!

We enjoyed our soup and salad, with a sweet sunflower decorating our table. Bonus points for that!

Caesar 

Don ordered the Caesar Salad with Chicken.

I ordered Onion Soup, served in an iron crock. I liked the sturdy china. It reminded me of dining in old hotels and lodges. 

Neither meal was exactly memorable, but it was just the light bite we needed on our travels.

Wondered

Before we heading out, I studied a few more pieces of art that stood out (to me) from the others. What was that proper lady with the tea cup thinking? Or was she a Madam? There was a brothel on the property at some point.

And what's the story of the  4 children in the etching? They didn't exactly fit into the Saloon Theme, but I liked them.

Patio

Before getting back in the car. I stopped and took a peek at the patio, off the back of the building.

I remember telling Don, "We need to come back to this place!" I was intrigued with The Baldwin Saloon, as well as The Dalles. 

But it's 2024 now and I just did a Google search. I was sad to hear that the Martins, who bought the saloon biz in 2020, closed the Baldwin Saloon not long after our visit.

That is too sad.
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