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Tracy's
Lounge was a popular downtown watering hole for thirty years;
it was located at 11 North Main, next to the Atlas Block. Tracy's
was originally owned by Tracy Carpenter (1906-1976) who also
operated the Red Meadow Bar on Rodney St.
Before Carpenter
opened Tracy's in 1943, the building had housed a variety of
businesses, including a furniture store, a plumbing and heating
concern, and a Chinese restaurant -- the Golden Dragon.
|
Interior
of Tracy's Bar and Lounge, Probably 1943
FROM
"HELENA",
A POSTCARD HISTORY, COURTESY OF AUTHOR TOM MULVANEY
CLICK IMAGE ABOVE FOR A BIG VIEW IN A NEW WINDOW
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One surprising
thing about this view of Tracy's is the very modest selection
of spirits displayed on the back-bar. Tracy's drinks menu, even
during postwar years, seems quite limited by today's standards
(see below).
One questions
the wisdom of mounting coat hooks so they protrude at eye-level
into a space usually occupied by drunks, but it was a less litigious
society then.
At the rear
of the space stands a 1942 Seeburg Hi-Tone jukebox. On the bar
are two Seeburg "Bar-o-matic" units from which patrons
could play the box. The booths probably had similar units. Here's
what the jukebox looked like....
|
Briefly
Closed During World War II
| The lounge
was open for less than one year before Tracy Carpenter was drafted.
Carpenter was honorably discharged in less than a year, and returned
to Helena. Tracy's Lounge re-opened on Dec. 16, 1944 after undergoing
remodeling, which included the addition of a new facade. |
New
Management 1947-1949
| Milton Rudio
(1909-1994) and Percy Evans (1908-1991) took over Tracy's in July
of 1947. Their venture was short-lived, however, as their partnership
was legally dissolved in August of 1949. |
Carpenters
Resume Management - 1950
Interior Remodeled
Emphasis on "Cocktail Lounge" Atmosphere
& Entertainment
PHOTOS
COURTESY OF THE DAVID POOR COLLECTION • CLICK
ON IMAGES FOR BIG VERSIONS IN NEW WINDOWS
|
In
1952, Tracy's featured Helena's (and possibly Montana's) first
piano bar...
|
Carpenters
Sell Tracy's Lounge - 1959
Tracy's
Lounge Drink Menu, 1960
MENU BACK
AND FRONT
MENU
PRICES
COLLECTION
OF KENNON BAIRD
| Organist
Carl Amundsen (name printed on menu marquee) was featured at Tracy's
from 1959 to 1961. Available newspaper archives show that Amundsen
played in the Valparaiso, Indiana area from 1952-1958. After leaving
Tracy's, he played a few 1961 gigs at other Helena area clubs,
and one in Billings. After that, he disappears from the archives. |
Tracy's
Benefit for Ill Bartender
| Earl Craig
lived until 1972, passing away in Raymond, Nebraska. I find no
further mention in the archives of his crippling illness. R.I.P. |
Tracy's
Last Big Hurrah - New Years Eve 1971
| In January
of 1972, Tracy's liquor license was transferred to Mr. Lucky's,
which was opening in the old Colonial
Club building that had been moved from its original location
on 11th Avenue to a lot near the old airport terminal. |
Tracy's
Demolished by Urban Renewal - 1975
Go
back to RESTAURANTS & BARS
