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Quick Summary
The Brooklyn Tavern in Washington State has long been a legendary watering hole for loggers, truckers, and locals. Known for its rough charm, colorful patrons, and deep ties to the timber industry, it has hosted decades of unforgettable moments, from bar fights to heartfelt camaraderie.
A Tavern Rooted in Logging Culture
Built in 1927 near Cosmopolis, Washington, the Brooklyn Tavern stood across from the old Saginaw Timber shops, serving as a social hub for loggers and mill workers. After a fire in 1995, it was rebuilt by Ray Damitio, preserving its gritty interior and local traditions. The tavern’s legacy is inseparable from the timber industry that shaped the Pacific Northwest. Logging towns like Aberdeen, PeEll, and Humptulips relied on such establishments not just for drinks, but for community, storytelling, and informal labor exchanges.
Terminology and Traditions
A Place Where Locals Recognize Their Own
Visitors unfamiliar with the area often found themselves under scrutiny. But those with ties to the region—whether through fishing Fall River, working in the mills, or simply knowing the right names—could earn a warm welcome. One story recounts a man identifying the “Pig Fornicator” in a photo, passing the test and earning his place among the regulars.
Taverns as Social Anchors in Logging Towns
Similar establishments like the Mineral Tavern, Lester Tavern, and Aloha Tavern operated with loose ID policies—if you could reach the bar with a dollar, you were old enough. These places served red beer, pickled eggs, and sandwiches from toaster ovens. Shuffleboard and Patsy Cline on the jukebox were staples. The taverns weren’t just places to drink—they were where deals were made, fights were settled, and memories were forged.
Memorable Characters and Events
One unforgettable tale involves a woman named Gretchen who gave “helicopter rides” at the Goble Tavern in Oregon—lifting patrons and spinning them onto pool tables. Another story recalls a man gutting deer on a log raft under the Wishkah bridge after retrieving them from the river, while a homeless man laughed uncontrollably nearby.
Fishing, Logging, and Childhood Memories
Fall River was a favorite fishing spot, rich with trout and petrified wood. Locals recall hearing shingle saws at night and walking miles for a soda or sandwich. Some started visiting taverns at age six, turning in bottles for deposit money. By 15, beer replaced soda, and by 21, bartenders joked they’d been serving them for years.
Legacy and Sentiment
The Brooklyn Tavern and its counterparts represent a vanishing era. As logging declined and regulations tightened, many of these establishments faded. Yet their stories live on in the memories of those who worked the woods, fought fires, and built communities from timber and grit.
Recommendations for Preservation
The Brooklyn Tavern is more than a bar—it’s a living archive of the Pacific Northwest’s logging legacy. Its stories, rituals, and characters reflect a rugged, resilient culture that deserves to be remembered and honored.
The Brooklyn Tavern in Washington State has long been a legendary watering hole for loggers, truckers, and locals. Known for its rough charm, colorful patrons, and deep ties to the timber industry, it has hosted decades of unforgettable moments, from bar fights to heartfelt camaraderie.
A Tavern Rooted in Logging Culture
Built in 1927 near Cosmopolis, Washington, the Brooklyn Tavern stood across from the old Saginaw Timber shops, serving as a social hub for loggers and mill workers. After a fire in 1995, it was rebuilt by Ray Damitio, preserving its gritty interior and local traditions. The tavern’s legacy is inseparable from the timber industry that shaped the Pacific Northwest. Logging towns like Aberdeen, PeEll, and Humptulips relied on such establishments not just for drinks, but for community, storytelling, and informal labor exchanges.
Terminology and Traditions
- Crummy: A crew transport vehicle used in logging operations.
- Widowmaker: A dangerous falling limb or tree that can kill a logger instantly.
- Steam Lokie Bell: A bell salvaged from a steam-powered logging locomotive, used in the tavern to signal a round of drinks.
- Snoose Creek: A nickname for the water trough running in front of the bar stools, referencing the Scandinavian chewing tobacco “snoose” often spit into it.
A Place Where Locals Recognize Their Own
Visitors unfamiliar with the area often found themselves under scrutiny. But those with ties to the region—whether through fishing Fall River, working in the mills, or simply knowing the right names—could earn a warm welcome. One story recounts a man identifying the “Pig Fornicator” in a photo, passing the test and earning his place among the regulars.
Taverns as Social Anchors in Logging Towns
Similar establishments like the Mineral Tavern, Lester Tavern, and Aloha Tavern operated with loose ID policies—if you could reach the bar with a dollar, you were old enough. These places served red beer, pickled eggs, and sandwiches from toaster ovens. Shuffleboard and Patsy Cline on the jukebox were staples. The taverns weren’t just places to drink—they were where deals were made, fights were settled, and memories were forged.
Memorable Characters and Events
One unforgettable tale involves a woman named Gretchen who gave “helicopter rides” at the Goble Tavern in Oregon—lifting patrons and spinning them onto pool tables. Another story recalls a man gutting deer on a log raft under the Wishkah bridge after retrieving them from the river, while a homeless man laughed uncontrollably nearby.
Fishing, Logging, and Childhood Memories
Fall River was a favorite fishing spot, rich with trout and petrified wood. Locals recall hearing shingle saws at night and walking miles for a soda or sandwich. Some started visiting taverns at age six, turning in bottles for deposit money. By 15, beer replaced soda, and by 21, bartenders joked they’d been serving them for years.
Legacy and Sentiment
The Brooklyn Tavern and its counterparts represent a vanishing era. As logging declined and regulations tightened, many of these establishments faded. Yet their stories live on in the memories of those who worked the woods, fought fires, and built communities from timber and grit.
Recommendations for Preservation
- Oral History Projects: Record stories from retired loggers and tavern patrons to preserve cultural heritage.
- Community Events: Host logger reunions and playdays to celebrate local history.
- Historic Designation: Apply for landmark status to protect taverns like Brooklyn from redevelopment.
- Youth Engagement: Involve younger generations through storytelling nights and museum exhibits.
The Brooklyn Tavern is more than a bar—it’s a living archive of the Pacific Northwest’s logging legacy. Its stories, rituals, and characters reflect a rugged, resilient culture that deserves to be remembered and honored.
