Baldwin Saloon, OR

It all began in 1876 with the Baldwin Brothers, James and John, as the original proprietors of the Baldwin Saloon. With the railroad right out front and the Columbia River nearby, business at the Baldwin Saloon kept the two brothers busy, as it was said to be the headquarters for the many men who worked the river and the railroad.

Following the era of the Baldwin brothers, an interesting fellow by the name of Dr. Charlie Allen operated a saloon in this same building. Allen was an arrogant man who used the title "doctor", although his previous occupation consisted of simply selling and adjusting eyeglasses.

Allen insured his time spent at the Baldwin Saloon would go down in history when he had caduceus (medical insignias) included in the cast façade that trims the original front of the building. This cast iron façade was made specifically for this building by Golden State Iron Works in San Francisco.

During the ownership of Dr. Charlie Allen, a brothel in a small frame building was attached to the back of the saloon. The operator of this establishment later married Allen, and they operated their businesses together.

Built in 1876, the Baldwin Saloon has one of the few remaining cast-iron facades in town and is one of the only restaurants in The Dalles with much historic character. Brick walls, wooden booths, and a high ceiling add to the old-time feel, as do the collections of late-19th-century landscape paintings and large bar nudes. The menu is pretty straightforward and simple.

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