The International House

International House  Built 1902

Current:  The Drift Inn Bar

The 6,000 square foot International House was built in 1902 by the Rabogliatti Brothers, Alfred and Dominic using adobe bricks that were constructed locally. At the time, it was the finest and largest building on Broad Street.  The upper façade featured decorative pressed metal around the windows and at the cornice.  On the street level, the building was divided into three sections, or bays, separated by cast iron columns.

An early photo shows what was probably the first business in the south bay, the Club House Café. In the middle section was the International Saloon and in the north bay, a business called  “Western Cash.”  A sign at the stairway leading to the second story reads “International Rooms”, a designation that usually meant “brothel” in the early days.

Over the years, the side bays have been occupied by many businesses, including a barber shop, grocery store, a restaurant, music store, furniture store and others.  The most interesting history, however, is in the center part of the building and the upstairs.

The International Saloon was a sight right out of the old west.  There was a trough that ran down the middle of the floor where the male-only patrons could relieve themselves without running to the outhouse.  Along the south wall stood the 30-foot long bar and back-bar, with a loaded pistol said to have been placed every few feet along the bar for use by the bartenders if needed.

Along the opposite wall were the gaming  tables where poker, faro and other games were in session 24 hours a day.  Above the back door was a raised platform from which an armed guard watched over the activities of the saloon’s patrons.

With all this in place, there wasn’t much trouble, but at the start of World War I some nationals from the countries battling in Europe got into a scuffle at the saloon.  Several men were arrested, but no one was seriously hurt.

While the men drank and gambled, the town’s “ladies” plied their trade in the rooms overhead.  The madam’s room was at the top of the stairs, and the prostitutes worked in some 20 “cribs” along the halls.  Prostitution was a big business in the International House, but eventually local laws put the ladies out of business.  At that time, the International House became a legitimate boarding house, and remained the same until after mid-century.

An interesting feature of the bar is the mural on the north wall.  It portrays a desert scene, looking somewhat like Monument Valley,  that was painted there over 60 years ago.

At some time, it was covered with panels, but a few years back some of the panels came loose, revealing parts of  the old mural, forgotten for many years, which was then touched up and is again part of the Drift Inn’s décor.

The International Saloon changed ownership several times, having been known as the Owl Bar for many years, then later it was Blackie’s Tavern, then sold to Frank Butler and his wife, who named it the Drift Inn.

After that, it was purchased by Eileen Townsend and Lisa Brazil, …………………………..

RE-WRITE……..

who did a lot of work on the entire building, including a fenced sitting area inside the recessed front on both sides of the front door, giving the place a welcoming look. It is well-run and was recently named one of the top biker bars in the state.