Oasis Bar, Crystal Saloon , 2718 Minnesota Avenue

Built between 1896-1900, the first owner had a cigar shop up front and the Crystal Saloon at the rear. The second story remains relatively intact, but the two slender cast iron columns are the only original fabric to remain on the fist story storefront area.

Historic Name:
Crystal Saloon
Current Name:
Oasis Bar

Builder:
Unknown

Original Use:
Store; saloon
Current Use:
Vacant

Physical Description:
The Oasis Bar is a two story commercial building, facing north onto Minnesota Avenue. Built of burnt orange-red brick, the design includes a commercial space on the first floor and rooms upstairs. The storefront has been insensitively altered. It is infilled with split log siding, and has smaller, non-original window openings set between more recent metal doors. The storefront area is recessed back from the only original fabric to remain on the first story - two slender cast iron columns supporting an I-beam and the masonry of the upper floor.

The second story by contrast is relatively intact. It features two pairs of windows, with round-arched hood moldings and plain stone sills. Each houses a single double-hung 1-over-1window. Above the windows, the parapet is decorated with courses of angle-laid and corbeled brick.

The east side of the building abuts the adjacent 2-story Globe Hotel. On the west and south elevations, the building abuts a single story brick building, and the upper story of this building is visible. It includes segmental window openings, double-hung 1-over-1. At the rear, the building opens to the south onto an alley. The second story rear entrance from a central hallway and a 1-over-1 window are both boarded over but still visible.

Historical Associations:
This lot was not occupied until the turn-of-the-century, when this building was constructed between 1896-1900. The first owner, James R Conway purchased the property in December 1900 from the Austin North Company. Conway had a cigar shop up front and the Crystal Saloon at the rear. By 1912, Conway added a restaurant in the front; the saloon remained. A few of the later restaurant proprietors are known: in 1919 George Taketa; in 1923, Francis Ives & Smith; from 1925-30 Jose S Diaz; and in 1932 Michael Dimick.

Meanwhile, the chain of title for the property passed from James R. Conway to absentee landlords: W.C. Atwood, to C.W. Rowley, to C.M. Hansen over the years described.

Historical and Architectural Significance:
The commercial building at 2718 Minnesota is a significant one, both for its historical associations and its architectural significance. Historically, it is an integral part of the Minnesota business corridor, reflecting the second-generation buildings that were built in the period following the settlement of town. More substantial buildings of brick or stone, such as this, replaced the early frame buildings that were erected in the first years after the townsite opened to development. Fire damage, and the desire by business property owners to improve their holdings were common reasons for replacement of the earliest buildings.

The small businesses that operated here - cigar shops, restaurant, saloon - were typical in the turn-of-the-century commercial area south of the railroad tracks. Architecturally, the building is a strong example of end of the century design, with the paired round brick arches that dominate the facade. The high quality of the brickwork and relatively unaltered condition make this an important representative building from the turn of the century.

Photograph Courtesy of Paul Whiting