Ethyl's Smokehouse & Saloon

In September of 1923, Highway 40 made it’s way past this property (it is presently Veteran’s Memorial Parkway). So, on September 5, 1925, a man by the name of Gerhard Sonderen bought it for $1000.00. One year later, he completed a structure that was called: The Wildwood Saloon. We hesitate to mention this because, first of all, we paid a lot more for it than he did, and as you probably know, it took us a lot longer than a year to complete it. However, we are proud to say that part of the building that you are sitting in right now has been an eating and drinking establishment since 1926. History does not stop there. When the depression struck in October of 1929, Gerhard sold out to a man named Edward Hesskamp. He would keep the tavern for nearly 20 years before selling it to Gene and Marge Reed in the late 1940’s. They appropriately named the place “Gene and Marge’s”. From that point, there were a few more owners and a few more names including The Normandy Athletic Club, Borders, Shady Grove, and lastly, Bubba and Coy’s Catfish House.

Ethyl's Smokehouse & Saloon

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