A black and white photo postcard showing the interior of the Office Saloon on Main Street, circa 1910. The Office Saloon also served lunch upstairs. The case at the end of the bar held cigars. A mineral display was in the case across the aisle. One of the men behind the bar is black. The postcard is unused, and the publisher is unknown. Annie Larkin Collection.

The Office Saloon opened on Main Street on September 26, 1906 at 16 Main Street next to the First National Bank. It was owned and operated by George Roberts and Scott Whaley. The opening was intended to be July 1st but kept being delayed due to a late delivery of light fixtures and furniture from El Paso. Along with cigars and alcohol, lunch was served at the café on the upper floor. Andrew Jackson Carpenter worked as the bar tender. Another man who was intended to work for George Roberts was Doc West who fled after allegedly pistol-whipping Fred Towne. Bisbee’s Football Club would hold their meetings at the Office Saloon. During the flood on August 5th, 1908 the saloon sustained $3,000 ($94,000 in 2021) worth of damages and it took place right after the installation of two booths and a staircase. After George Roberts, proprietorship of the saloon changed hands to J.J. Walsh who ran it for several years before dying in California on April 22, 1919.

2002.31.22