Building Name: Chase Block / Bodega

Address: 611 North River St.

Date Built: 1892

First Occupant: I. H. Chase clothing store

Current Occupant: Interior demolished

Sandstone Quarry: Unknown

Architect: Unknown

Contractor: I. H. Chase

Architectural Style: Represents another Lakota Sandstone structure with a denticulated cornice. Second story windows have flat-topped lintels with voussoirs.

History:

12/4/1891: It is given out that a fine two-story front stone building is soon to be erected just of the Minnekahta stone block. I. H. Chase is the builder and when finished he will occupy one of the lower rooms with an elegant stock of clothing.

2/26/1892: The Chase Block is rapidly nearing completion.

5/20/1892: I.H. Chase, who has a clothing establishment in nearly every town in the Hills, has here for a few days. He makes his home in California. Among the enterprising businessmen who have caused fancy awnings to be placed front of their places of business are - I.H. Chase one of them.

11/17/1893: I.H. Chase has concluded to go out of business at Buffalo Gap and is closing out his store there.

6/25/1897: A.D. Field filed application for liquor license in the building on Lot 25, Block 56, Sulphur Springs Addition.

9/10/1897: A.D. Field and Mrs. Lavinia B. Wells were married at the home of George Hanson.

12/17/1897: Billy Cavanaugh will return the first of the year and assume his former position at the Bodega.

6/25/1899: A.D. Field filed application for license Lot 25, Block 56, Sulphur Springs Addition.

7/25/1899: License granted for above.

7/12/1901: Ad for Field & Cavanaugh - The Bodega, and I.H. Chase store.

7/27/1901: County commissioners grant license to Field & Cavanaugh

11/4/1904: Field, who was once owner of the Bodega arrived Monday for a visit. He is now of Dawson City. (Alaska)

5/26/1905: Chase’s has about completed the removal of their immense stock to their new quarters in the Evans Block. (The Evanston)

7/14/1905: A. B. Connor and Miss Burnett rented the building and put in a first-class bowling alley.

6/9/1905: Only two saloons will be operated after July 1st-The Evans and Bodega

6/30/1905: Saloon consolidation - The fixtures were moved from the Palace to the Bodega Thursday.

7/13/1906: George Hiller sold his interest in the Bodega to William Lashbaugh.

5/10/1907: Wesley Middleton has accepted the position as day barkeeper at the Bodega.

5/17/1907: A fresh coat of black paint and fine silver gives a very fine appearance to the front of the Bodega since its application last week.

6/23/1910: W.J. Smith and W.J. Cavanaugh application for Bodega license

6/23/1911: W.J. Smith and W.J. Cavanaugh application for Bodega license

6/14/1912: W.J. Smith and W.J. Cavanaugh application for Bodega license

12/13/1912: W.J. Smith - formerly of Cavanaugh & Smith - opens the Evans Buffet

6/6/1913: Only four saloons to be licensed - The Bodega by Connell & Cavanaugh loses out. Lots24 & 25, Block 56, Sulphur Springs

8/8/1913: F.H. Cavanaugh, who has been conducting the Arcade in the Smith Building moved the first of the week to the Bodega Building next to the Minnekahta.

8/15/1913: F.H. Cavanaugh, proprietor of the New Bodega, which moved from the Arcade to the new location just across from the Union Station on River Avenue. Mr. Cavanaugh has a reserve for his customers, patrons and friends - A select stock of rare old wine, whiskeys, brandies, and imported sherries and the famous Fred Krug bottled and draught beer. A special assortment of cigars from Havana's market, also choice smoking tobacco.

Dec. 26,1913: Ads- Evans Buffet-W.J. Smith, Prop. Bodega - F. Cavanaugh (Felix) Northern Bar - Lashbaugh & Garvey

July 10,1914: Legal Notice - Sheriff's sale - Fred Krug Brewing Co. vs. Felix H. Cavanaugh - stock of goods in building known as Bodega

10/14/1914: Connell & Bingham is the new firm that is now conducting the Bodega, formerly conducted by F.H. Cavanaugh. Both the new proprietors are well and favorably known in the city and will run a first-class place.

8/24/1917: T.W. Van Wie to open first class bakery here. He conducts the Minnekahta Inn. Bakery to be in our Bodega Building.

1/18/1918: Ad - The Model Bakery - in Bodega Building 1930 decade: Hummel grocery occupied building before it was remodeled into a restaurant.

11/27/1945: Hansen buys buildings on River Avenue - one is Mr. William Knowlton's building with Nifty Cafe on first floor. The building was erected by I. H. Chase clothing store, then for years was home of Knowlton Clothing. Other building is Club Cafe building owned by Mrs. L. E. Highley. Building was home of the famous Bodega Saloon and gambling rooms in early days. Hot Springs Star was published there at the time A. T. Johnson owned it. The Bodega was Hot Springs’ most popular saloon and gambling hall for over 23 years. A Bordello once operated on the upper north side, and it has also housed a law office and dry goods store as well as the City Taxi Service.

12/06/2011: It was bought by out of towners with intentions of rehabilitation. It was gutted and has sat open to the elements since.

03/01/2021: It exchanged hands to the present owner as payment for facade support engineering who has not obtained funding to continue the restoration of the gutted space. QR Code info: The bodega was Hot Springs’ most popular saloon and gambling hall for over 23 years. A Bordello once operated on the upper north side, and it has also housed a law office and dry goods store as well as the City Taxi Service. It was bought by out of towners

12/6/ 2011: with intentions of rehabilitation. It was gutted and has sat open to the elements since.

03/01/2021: It exchanged hands to the present owner as payment for facade support engineering who has not obtained funding to continue the restoration of the gutted space.

QR Code info: The bodega was Hot Springs’ most popular saloon and gambling hall for over 23 years. A Bordello once operated on the upper north side, and it has also housed a law office and dry goods store as well as the City Taxi Service. It was bought by out of towners 12/6/ 2011: with intentions of rehabilitation. It was gutted and has sat open to the elements since. 3/1/2021: It exchanged hands to the present owner as payment for facade support engineering who has not obtained funding to continue the restoration of the gutted space.