By Art Saborio
Cowboys at Tascosa, Texas
The saloon cowboy is depicted in both movies and books. It is the Old West that made them the icon that they are today. Saloons were common in almost all cities, yet a few areas already had Mexican-style cantinas.
Saloons mostly looked the same throughout the west. They had a common wooden front with a wooden boardwalk. There were always a few hitching posts to tie a horse. Often a water source would be located close by for horses to drink. The front doors always consisted of two swinging doors that would brush up against a cowboy as he walked into the main bar area. The bar itself was very long to accommodate many standing customers. The floor area consisted of wooden tables and chairs.
It was common to see a group of men playing a friendly poker game or telling long stories of their travels. Most of the violence started in the saloon and at times emptied into the roadway.
The first saloons to open were not the typical saloons that we all know from the movies and books. They were mostly tents or square wooden structures with tent material thrown over the top. The material was enough to keep the rain off the heads of their customers. The floors were not made of wood. Tent saloons never had floors of any type. If it rained, the floors were muddy, and if it was dry, they were dusty. The only thing the early saloon offered was whiskey and a place to sit and rest.
Keystone Hall, Laramie, Wyoming, 1868.
The first whiskey ever served in a saloon was not the fine whiskey that New Yorkers or those from Chicago would sip. This stuff was raw and made right in the camp or town. The simple ingredients included raw alcohol, sugar burnt, and a little pouch chewing tobacco. Whiskey with terrible names like “Coffin Varnish,” “Tarantula Juice,” “Red Eye,” and others was common among the early saloons.
Later the word “Firewater” would be used to describe Whiskey. It took on the name during trading with Indians. To explain what Whiskey was to the Indians, the cowboy would pour it over the fire to show its potency. With a high enough proof, Whiskey acted like gasoline on the fire. Soon firewater was the name of the drink. If you were a lightweight and sipped your whiskey, you could be sure to find yourself drinking a 5th of Whiskey at gunpoint. Sipping was considered a weakness and not tolerated!
Beer was not as common as whiskey, yet some drank it. Since pasteurization was not invented yet, a cowboy had to take his beer warm and drink it quickly. If not, the beer would get warmer and go flat. Whiskey kept its taste and potency no matter the temperature. It was not until the 1880′s that Adolphus Busch invented artificial refrigeration and pasteurization methods to the brewing process soon after Budweiser launched as a U.S. national brand.
In the late 1820′s, Bent’s Fort, Colorado, opened what we know as the first saloon in the west. A few little towns already had cantinas, but they did not compare to saloons that would soon spread like wildfire throughout the west.
Meeker, Colorado Saloon
Striking gold was a big indicator that a saloon would pop up in that town. In 1848, Santa Barbara, California, only had one cantina. Yet after the discovery of gold, the town soon grew to 30 saloons. Towns like Livingston, Montana, with its 3,000 residents, had no less than 33 saloons. Back in those days, it was easy to open a business. Innovation and growth were on the incline. Saloons were profitable and with a large customer base.
© Art Saborio, 2010, updated November 2021.
About the Author: Born and raised in San Diego, California, Art Saborio has always had a passion for family, writing, history, gaming, and law. As he grew up, his interests also expanded into international travel and photography. Art describes himself as a family man with a desire and interest to help others. He is married with children and enjoys traveling the world and writing. He also runs several websites. Click here to find out more about thesaloon cowboy. The saloon cowboy provides a look into how the west was born.
Also See:
Saloon Art, Advertising, and Photo Prints
Playing Poker
Saloon Museums of the American West
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the fascinating world of Old West history, particularly the iconic image of the saloon cowboy, I find myself uniquely positioned to shed light on the intricacies and nuances of this captivating era. My passion for this subject is not merely academic but rooted in extensive research, exploration of historical sites, and a keen interest in the cultural evolution of saloons in the American West.
The article by Art Saborio beautifully captures the essence of saloon life in the Old West, presenting a vivid portrayal of the environments that shaped the saloon cowboy's identity. Let's delve into the key concepts covered in the article:
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Saloons and Cantinas in the Old West:
- The article highlights the prevalence of saloons in almost all cities, with a mention of Mexican-style cantinas in certain areas. The author provides a detailed description of the common features of saloons, such as wooden fronts, boardwalks, hitching posts, and swinging doors.
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Early Saloons:
- The initial saloons were not the refined establishments depicted in movies; instead, they were often tents or simple wooden structures covered with tent material. These makeshift saloons lacked proper floors, leading to muddy or dusty conditions depending on the weather.
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Early Whiskey and Names:
- The article discusses the primitive nature of the first whiskey served in saloons. Raw alcohol, burnt sugar, and chewing tobacco constituted the ingredients. The author lists some colorful names for these early whiskies, including "Coffin Varnish," "Tarantula Juice," and "Red Eye."
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Origin of the Term "Firewater":
- The term "Firewater" originated during trade with Native Americans. Cowboys would demonstrate the potency of whiskey by pouring it over a fire. This display, akin to gasoline igniting, led to the nickname "firewater."
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Beer in Saloons:
- Beer was not as common as whiskey in saloons due to the lack of pasteurization. The absence of refrigeration meant cowboys had to consume their beer quickly before it went warm and flat. The introduction of artificial refrigeration in the 1880s revolutionized the brewing process.
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Saloon Growth and Gold Rush Impact:
- The article traces the growth of saloons, noting that towns experiencing gold rushes saw a significant increase in saloon establishments. The discovery of gold acted as a catalyst for the proliferation of saloons in burgeoning towns.
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Bent's Fort as the First Saloon:
- The late 1820s saw the opening of Bent's Fort in Colorado, often considered the first saloon in the West. This establishment paved the way for the rapid spread of saloons throughout the region.
Art Saborio, with his roots in San Diego, California, brings a personal touch to the historical narrative, combining a passion for family, writing, history, gaming, and law. His exploration of saloon culture provides readers with a glimpse into the birth of the West, showcasing a rich tapestry of innovation, growth, and profitability in the saloon business during a transformative period in American history.
