Jack Bar considered endangered

Jack's Bar has been named one of Nevada's most endangered historic buildings for 2004 by Preserve Nevada, a statewide nonprofit organization advocating historic preservation.

Fourth on a list of 11 endangered sites, Jack's Bar stands vacant on the corner of Carson and Fifth streets in Carson City.

Built in 1899, the bar is owned by local businessmen Don Lehr and Al Fiegehen, owners of Cubix LLC and the Ormsby House across the street. The two have made one application for demolition of the building, but the application was withdrawn.

The Carson City Redevelopment Authority is working with the owners and funding a structural analysis and rehabilitation study for the building, but the fate of the building remains unclear.

Lehr said the building's east and south walls are both leaning to the south and the floor is gone. Experts have reviewed the structure, but he has not seen a solid proposal for renovation.

Opinions abound and for every person who wants to see the building preserved, there's another who feels it's ugly and should be torn down, he said.

"The ones who want it saved are the noisiest and we're caught in the middle," Lehr said. "I know how much it will cost to take down. I don't know how much it will cost to restore."

Despite the sagging walls, Lehr believes the building is probably as stable as most of the old buildings in Carson City's historic downtown area and no decisions will be made until the Ormsby House is completed.

The business partners have been working on renovation of the historic hotel, located across Fifth Street from the old bar, since late 2001.

Joe McCarthy, economic development/redevelopment manager for Carson City, said structural engineer Mel Green is working on an estimate of what it will cost to seismically retrofit Jack's Bar and should have an answer this spring or early summer.

State Historic Preservation Officer Ron James said Jack's Bar is a good candidate for historic preservation because it is just one story and relatively small.

"Virtually any building can be saved," James said. "The owners are eligible for tax credits and the building is clearly a community, if not a Nevada, icon."

The old sandstone building has been a traditional meeting place for legislators, state employees and local residents, Preservation officials said.

Nevada State Archivist Guy Rocha agreed.

"While it is true the site of Jack's Bar has been home to various drinking establishments since 1859, the current building only dates back to 1899, when it was first known as the Bank Saloon," wrote Nevada State Archivist Guy Rocha. "The tavern has been known by many other names including the Bank Resort, Hernando's Hideaway, the Y-NOT Bar, Angelo's, and, beginning in 1966, Jack's Bar."

The Bank Resort sold bootleg alcohol during Prohibition when Pete Pierini and Virgil Buchianeri Sr. ran the operation, and served as one of the principal bars adjacent to Carson City's red-light district before the brothels were closed by federal order in 1942, Rocha said.

Today Jack's Bar is closed.

"Its claim to be the oldest continuously operating drinking establishment in Carson City can no longer be made, and 'A Saloon Since 1859' always was a stretch," Rocha said.

Using the model of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preserve Nevada releases an annual list based on the advice of individuals, organizations and information concerning the many threatened and saved sites throughout our state.

Contact Susie Vasquez at svasquez@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.