Filed Under Virginia City

J.F. Stoer Saloon

Virginia City National Historic Landmark District

Retail liquor dealer J. F. Stoer operated here from the raucous 1860s until about 1890. From that time until 1908, Smith and Boyd, who ran the livery next door, ran this establishment, aptly renamed the “Bale of Hay.” After 1908, the building stood empty until 1946, when the Boveys saved it from collapse and added a front porch. In 1983, a fire heavily damaged the building. Construction to repair the building was confined to the saloon’s interior, allowing the outer square-hewn log walls, supported by a new inner structure, to remain place.

Images

J. F. Stoer Saloon, Virginia City
J. F. Stoer Saloon, Virginia City View of two wood frame buildings, large group of men in front of the saloon to the right and several women and children in front of the house to the left. Mountains in background. J.F. Stoer Saloon in Virginia City, Montana. Source: PAc 956-143, Montana Legacy Photograph Collection, Montana Historical Society Research Center Photograph Archives, Helena, MT. Creator: Unknown photographer Date: Between 1864-1876
J. F. Stoer Saloon, Virginia City
J. F. Stoer Saloon, Virginia City View looking southwest at building porch and facade Source: Courtesy of Montana Heritage Commission Creator: Kate Steeley, Montana Heritage Commission Date: Oct 2019
J. F. Stoer Saloon/Bale of Hay Saloon
J. F. Stoer Saloon/Bale of Hay Saloon Interior view looking south with bar patrons and backbar at left. Source: Joe Furshong Creator: Joe Furshong, photographer Date: Nov 2019

Location

332 West Wallace Street, Virginia City, Montana | Private

Metadata

The Montana National Register Sign Program, “J.F. Stoer Saloon,” Historic Montana, accessed March 29, 2024, https://historicmt.org/items/show/900.