The Dining Room

For 92 years this room served as a dining room for people of all stations in life. It was furnished with a rag carpet over straw. A long table always covered with a clean, white tablecloth, was always partially set; the spoon holder, sugar bowl, salt, pepper, etc. were always left on the table and covered between meals with a smaller cloth. Coal-oil lamps were fastened to the walls and furnished the light. Here, for nine yers, the weary stagecoach driver, and for two years, the pony express rider, received refreshment at the supper and breakfast table as he recounted his encounters with the weather and Indians and brought news of the outside world.

In the dining room, church and state officials, Indian Chiefs, traveling theatrical troupes, lawmen, and later, sheepmen, prospectors, visitors, family friends and foe, rich and poor alike, ate their meals, milling with any and all who happened to sop there at the time. No one was ever turned away. Breakfast was 25 cents and dinner and supper were each 35 cents.

Dining Room

 

Kitchen

Room West of Dining Room