History of The Barrel (Keg) - Part 2

The Barrel was part of a chain of barrel shaped root beer stands built by Harry Muzzy and his wife Martha in the 1930’s. Muzzy grew up in Minot, worked as an engineer for the Great Northern Railway until 1920. He moved to Crookston, Minnesota and owned a successful cigar store. He had the opportunity to start a root beer stand in Great Falls, Mt. Aware of the success of the A&W Root Beer stands in California, he thought they would be a success along Highway 2 in the northern part of the country. He built the Great Falls stand in the shape of a 2 story barrel. It was a huge success both as a root beer stand and also as a tourist attraction. Muzzy and his wife lived on the second story of the Great Falls barrel.

History of the Keg - Part 1

This week I am again presenting the 5 part history of The Keg

 

The Barrel – (the Keg) Pt 1 – The Barrel root beer stand was built in 1931 in Minot. It was during the great depression, a time of dust storms, drought, heat waves and crop failures. A nickel bought a root beer and a dime bought a toasted ham sandwich. Food was delivered to the vehicles by young carhops. The smiles were free. Some believe the word “carhop” was coined because the waitresses had to hop p on the running boards of the cars to deliver the food. Others say it was a derivative of  the word “bellhop” and adapted to the cars.. … Most drive-ins instructed the carhops not to stand on the running boards because it was improper and overly familiar behavior. . The first carhops were not teenage girls, but were adult women who found the tips were excellent even back in the 30’s

 

 

1970's Past Business

Maid For A Day – In 1972, two men, Arnie Merkel and Julius Jahr started a new business called Maid For a Day. The new company would provide cleaning af various types on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis. Maid For A Day would clean windows, walls, carpets and floors and even do minor household repair…. Schriok’s Lawn & Trail – located on the 2& 52 Bypass at 10^th St. SW. (now the home of Clear Channel Radio) – John Deere dealer …… The Grog Shop -- 4the Avenue & Valley Street (Burdick Expressway at the west end of the viaduct)—Bottle Shop……. Fireside Lounge – inside the Sandman Hotel ( at the West Bypass and 4^th Ave.) ….. Pizza Plus (formerly Our Place) – at South Broadway and the Bypass – Pizza and sandwich shop …..

MInot's First City Hall

The first building to serve as City Hall for Minot was the home to the Police Dept in the basement, the Fire Dept. on the main floor and dormitory above, the jail, magistrate’s office and the City Manager office and staff also on the main floor. It was built in 1905 and was located mid block between Main St. and 1^st St SW. (or next to the Alley behind the Montgomery Ward building – across the street from the 1^st Avenue Building). In the early 1900’s, this was quite literally the center of Minot. DA Dinnie was awarded the bid for construction for the price of $11,171.00. The new building  to be the best facility of its kind in the country for cities the size of Minot. However the Minot Aldermen were so disenchanted with the finished result they refused to occupy it as they claimed it had not been built to specifications. About 6 months later they resolved the conflict and moved in.

City Hall in early 1900's

 Old City Hall prio to demo

 Early jail cell

Old City hall coming down to make room for parking lot

Terhorst Manufacturing

 Started in 1928 by brothers Harvey and Willis Terhorst, and located at 615 4^th Ave SE, (under the Burdick Expressway viaduct). Terhorst is in the business of making molds for all types of products. The original building was expanded in 1936, 1940, 1951 and again in 1967. During World War II, Terhorst made fuse adapters for bombs. The machines needed to make the adapters were designed by Terhorst as they did not exist to purchase them. In the 1960’s, Terhorst got into the plastic molding business. They still remain one of the lesser known long term businesses in Minot.


 
 The original Terhorst Building and machinists at work

Eagles Club

In April of 1972 the new Minot Eagles Club was dedicated and opened to members. The club was located at the intersection  of 2^nd Avenue and 16^th St. SW, across from Arrowhead Shopping Center. In less than a year, the Eagles membership had grown from 1800 to over 3200. The Minot Eagles Club was organized in 1942 and the new home was the fourth location. Prior to this opening the club was located at 110 1^st Street SE, now the home of the Chicago Club. The new club was about 17,500 square feet - built at a cost of $483, 365.00….

 Eagles Dinning Room

The Main Bar

Eagles entry

August 1967

Lincoln School – a full page ad in the newspaper to let residents know that the new Lincoln School was to be open at the start of the school year ….. YWCA – August 1967 – The new building was ready to open – at the corner of 2^nd Street and 3^rd Avenue SW ….