McCleary City Band Bandstand

Dec. 23, 2019

Around the area of this corner, Maple and Third, there used to be a bandstand for the McCleary City Band. Yes, such a group actually existed. The story goes someone ordered a ton of musical instruments and then they were handed out to interested and no doubt bored out of their mind workers, many of whom had not the slightest idea of how to play any instrument or read music.

So the bandstand was built and uniforms were issued. For short time the muddy metropolis of McCleary had a city band. It must have been a hoot to hear. The placement of the bandstand would indicate this was considered close to the center of the action at that time, more so than it is today.

After the probably merciful short life span of the band, the bandstand was enclosed as a small building and served as the office for a dentist for a brief time.

The current McCleary City Hall is in the background and a sandwich sign for an espresso stand in the foreground attempts to divert coffee addicted Washingtonians. It still amazes me that McCleary has not had a tavern for several years yet we have not one but two, two drive-thru coffee stands.

When future historians write about McCleary's creeping gentrification, this switch from alcohol to caffeine will be an early indicator. Not making a judgment here, just an observation.

Repaint! Repaint! And thin no more!

Feb. 9, 2019

Looks like the long defunct tavern and cafe storefronts have been recently repainted. Is new life coming these business locations?

Both of these places have had many different names over the years. At some point in the 1980s (I think) the wall between these businesses was opened up and it became a restaurant/tavern. My favorite incarnation was back in the 1970s when the McCleary Bakery occupied the cafe portion. My earliest memory of the restaurant was when it was known as Billie's Cafe, run by Billie Stilwell. It had a big horseshoe counter with booths along the east wall if my memory is working correctly.

Mangled Monkey Bars

Jan. 7, 2019

No, not a tavern for maimed monkeys.

The park playground is being upgraded, although now it looks like the City is installing a wading pond. That forlorn pile of tangled mangled metal once served as the monkey bars for several decades. Rainbow Park is in the background.

The parking strip that gathers no moss

July 10, 2018

Found alongside the long vacant tavern. I'm sure this is a metaphor for something but I need more coffee this morning before I can invent one.

In the eye of the beholder this can be a beautiful thing

 Apr. 4, 2017

Waterhole 1

Apr. 4, 2017

The main tavern on Simpson Ave. has had several names over the years. One of the former names, "Waterhole 1" (or Waterhole # 1) was used in the 1980s, I think. The name is still above the padlocked door. McCleary has been without a tavern for what, three or four years now at least.

The Waterhole issued wooden tokens. I still have one.

Half dead, half alive

Nov. 21, 2012. The storefronts from left to right: A dead tavern, a dead cafe, an office space of uncertain business, usually real estate or insurance or something like that, and Rain Country restaurant. The third storefront was originally the Post Office from the early 1950s-early 1960s.

This photo was taken nearly four years ago, but the situation remains the same today.

Closed

Aug. 2, 2016

McCleary's only tavern has been closed for two or three years now. The space has always been a bar ever since the building was constructed ca. 1950.

The adjoining storefront was originally Billie's Cafe in the 1950s and 1960s. It later became a very nice bakery in the 1970s. Around the 1990s it had a high turnover of owners who operated restaurants. There was one string of names that probably didn't help. First, the Feed Bag, then, Bear Buns, and finally, Squatty's.

At some point in recent history the wall between the tavern and the cafe was opened up. The cafe is now closed as well.

Drunk snowman

Snowman in front of the only bar in town (since closed), leading one to conclude that alcohol was probably involved in the construction of this art piece. Jan. 17, 2012.