The First & Last Chance Saloon

Inside the First & Last Chance Saloon n 1915.  Frank Budde is standing
behind the bar at right.  Standing outside the bar are Wallace Cameron on
the left, and Burt Hurd on the right.  The Saloon became Short's Cafe and
Tavern in 1932, when beer became legal under Franklin Roosevelt...

Although my Grandma Fitzpatrick may have frowned on it, I think my Grandpa Fitzpatrick would have chuckled on what I'm about to share. It's my hypothesis on why one of St. Vincent's MANY saloons was called The First & Last Chance Saloon. As you know from previous posts, St. Vincent was considered by many of the more upstanding citizens of the area as a regular den of iniquity. Personally, I'm rather proud of coming from a town with a reputation...!

Like another saloon by that name, this one had a good reason to come by that title. St. Vincent was bordered by a Canadian province and another state which were dry. Availing yourself of a refreshment at The First & Last Chance Saloon was literally a traveler's first or last chance - depending on whether they were coming or going!

Take note in the photograph - taken of the interior of the actual saloon we are discussing - the rich woodwork of the bar, the typical ornate tin ceiling panels, the ads of lovely Gibson-Girl-like figures decorating the bar...as well as the spittoons on the floor.