Winter Saloon

Winter Saloon is a historic two-story wood-frame commercial and residential building in the central business district of Norwood Young America, Minnesota. The structure is also known as Harm's Bar and is recognized as one of the community's most important surviving historic commercial properties. It stands at the corner of Elm and Hazel Streets, in the area historically associated with Norwood before Norwood merged with neighboring Young America in 1997. The building's identity is closely tied to the history of licensed drinking establishments in the community. The Winter Brothers received Norwood's first liquor license in 1891, when the license reportedly cost $2.08. The first-floor commercial area operated as a saloon, described historically as a “thirst parlor,” while the second floor served as a meeting hall for fraternal organizations including the Degree of Honor and the Modern Woodmen. The proprietor occupied the building's residential section, making the property a combined business, social, and domestic space. Architecturally, the building has an L-shaped plan. Its commercial portion faces the main street, while the residential wing is set farther back and includes a porch and a small lawn. The commercial facade retains original features such as its storefront configuration, four-over-four double-hung windows with peaked cornices, and a fanlight near the upper part of the gable. An enclosed exterior staircase provides access to the second-floor meeting hall. The residential section has three street-facing bays, two-over-two windows, and a one-story porch supported by three square posts with beveled corners. The saloon passed through several owners before Prohibition closed the bar in 1919. Following repeal, George Harms Sr. purchased the establishment in 1934, when a liquor license reportedly cost $200. The property subsequently remained in the Harms family for three generations and continued operating as a bar during the period when its historic importance was documented. The cost of a liquor license reportedly reached $1,500 in 1954, illustrating the changing regulatory and operating environment surrounding the establishment. Winter Saloon was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 4, 1980. Its significance derives from both its architectural integrity and its role in local social and commercial history. It has been described as the oldest and best-preserved of Norwood Young America's bars and as a visually dominant feature of the historic downtown. Available reference material does not establish the property's current operating status, ownership, or whether it continues to function as a bar.

Winter Saloon is a historic structure in Norwood Young America, Minnesota, formerly known as Norwood before the 1997 merger with Young America. The building occupies a prominent corner in the community's historic central business district and combines a commercial saloon area with residential accommodation. The property entered local liquor history in 1891, when the Winter Brothers received the first liquor license issued in Norwood. The first-floor business operated as a saloon or “thirst parlor,” while the second floor functioned as a meeting hall. Fraternal organizations, including the Degree of Honor and the Modern Woodmen, used the hall, making the building a venue for both commercial drinking and organized community life. The proprietor lived in the attached residential section. The building's plan is L-shaped and consists of a two-story wood-frame structure covered in clapboards and topped by a gable roof. The commercial section fronts the principal street, and its facade preserves the original storefront arrangement, four-over-four sash windows with peaked cornices, and a fanlight near the gable. A second-floor exterior staircase serves the meeting hall. The residential wing is set back from the commercial facade and includes three bays, two-over-two sash windows, and a porch extending along the street side. The saloon changed hands several times and ceased operating during Prohibition, which began in Minnesota in 1919 according to the historical account associated with the property. In 1934, after repeal, George Harms Sr. acquired the bar. The establishment remained with three generations of the Harms family and was still open when the building was documented for historic registration. Historical licensing figures cited for the property include $2.08 in 1891, $200 in 1934, and a peak of $1,500 in 1954. The Winter Saloon was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 4, 1980. Its designation recognizes the building as the oldest and best-preserved of Norwood Young America's bars and emphasizes its architectural prominence within the downtown area. The available source does not provide a complete ownership history after the Harms family's tenure, a current operator, or confirmation of present-day public access.

• 1997

  Norwood and Young America merge

  [1]Winter Saloonen.wikipedia.org

  The surrounding community became Norwood Young America through the merger of Norwood and neighboring Young America.

• 1980

  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

  [1]Winter Saloonen.wikipedia.org

  Winter Saloon was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 4, recognizing its architectural character and local historical importance.

• 1934

  George Harms Sr. purchases the bar

  [1]Winter Saloonen.wikipedia.org

  After repeal of Prohibition, George Harms Sr. acquired the establishment. The business then remained in the Harms family for three generations.

• 1919

  Bar closes during Prohibition

  [1]Winter Saloonen.wikipedia.org

  The saloon ceased operating during Prohibition, ending its first period as a licensed bar.

• 1891

  First liquor license issued

  [1]Winter Saloonen.wikipedia.org

  The Winter Brothers received Norwood's first liquor license, establishing the saloon's documented role in the community's licensed drinking trade.

A locally significant historic saloon and landmark property whose importance rests on its early licensed-bar history, preserved vernacular architecture, and connection to community organizations.

• Hospitality

  Saloon and bar service

  The building's principal historic commercial function was a licensed saloon, also described as a thirst parlor. Its first-floor premises served alcoholic beverages and operated as a local gathering place. The available source does not identify specific beverage brands, menus, or later commercial offerings.

• Community facility

  Meeting hall

  The second floor of the commercial section served as a meeting hall for fraternal groups, including the Degree of Honor and the Modern Woodmen. The hall expanded the building's role beyond drinking service and made it part of the community's civic and social infrastructure.

1. 1Winter Saloonen.wikipedia.org