History of Gay and Lesbian Life in Wisconsin - Businesses - Bars and Clubs

 
Sheely House Saloon
Location: 236 W River St, Chippewa Falls

Opened:
Closed:

c1990
c2005
Clientele:

Male/ Female
Bar/ lounge/ social

 
       
 

the Sheely Housen is a long established business housed in a red brick building built in 1884 and listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. According to articles on the Internet, the building was a blacksmith shop in the 1860s until John B. Paul purchased the property and turned it into a saloon and boarding house. An Irish immigrant named James Sheeley and his wife, Kate, bought the building in 1905 and kept renting rooms and preparing meals. The house received a major overhaul in 1981 at the hands of new owners. After yet another change in ownership, the bar reopened December of 2002.

Currently operated as a restaurant 'Sheely House Saloon' (2021), contributors indicate that the location, while primarily a 'straight'/ community bar, operated largely as a gay bar from around 1989 to the change of ownership in 2002. A bartender working there in 2003 has also related that some of the regular customers told him it was a gay bar for a while in the 1970's. We have thus far been unable to locate any corroborating information, advertisements, etc. however.

More information about this business is welcome from anyone who can contribute same.

 

Credits: web site concept, content and design by Don Schwamb.
Information on Eau Claire bars contributed by V.K..
Last updated: February-2021.

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