Old West Saloon Bar: Modern Western Hand Carved Wood Bar – OWBL780

Old West Saloon Bar: Modern Western Hand Carved Wood Bar

Photo By Darlene Wilson - The Palace Saloon On Whiskey Row

The old west saloon bar was inspired by the bar at The Palace Restaurant and Saloon. This bar, located on Prescott, Arizona's world famous Whiskey Row, dates back to the late 19th century. It is famous architecture such as this that inspires us today in the 21st century at ArtFactory.com. The Palace Saloon, an enduring symbol of the Old West, was originally established in 1877 by D.C. Thorne on Whiskey Row in Prescott, Arizona. Known for its deep ties to Western history and its legendary patrons, including Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp, and Doc Holliday, The Palace Saloon has earned its place as one of the most iconic landmarks of the American frontier. Now, H.J. Nick and the Art Factory master craftsmen have been commissioned to recreate the famous bar and back bar, ensuring the preservation of the saloon’s historic character and authenticity.

Our master craftsman handmade this custom Old West Saloon Bar from genuine solid wood, with master hand carvings that have been carved directly into the wood by the hands of one of our master wood carvers, and featuring genuine wrought iron hardware, handmade by our master blacksmiths using hammer and anvil over a coal fired forge. Our talented design team and master craftsman have created a modern bar inspired by this masterpiece from the old west. The breathtaking, intricately carved bar comes complete with a full array of modern luxuries, while maintaining a rustic, historically correct in appearance. The master hand carvings, hand rubbed stain finish, and hand forged custom hardware make this old west saloon bar a truly world class work of fine art.

Historic Significance and Legendary Patrons

All of our custom solid wood furnishings are built with genuine, solid, full length timber. Handmade with mortise and tenon joined construction by master craftsmen. When we say wood, we mean the genuine article because fine art is never made from low quality, or fake materials.

In 1877, D.C. Thorne built the saloon and named it The Palace Saloon; it was one of over forty bars which stood next to one another on Whiskey Row in Prescott. Over the course of its history it has been frequented by an impressive list of famous patrons (in the 1870's it was a popular destination for those who were headed south to Tombstone). (World Famous Palace Bar). The Palace Saloon is steeped in the lore of the Old West, hosting some of the most notorious figures of the frontier. Wyatt Earp himself frequented the saloon and was involved in several deadly gunfights nearby. Doc Holliday, a gambler and gunslinger, killed a man in a knife fight within its walls. Theadore Rosevelt and his rough riders were frequently seen in this saloon, as were many other famous folks of the day. These stories of violence, poker games, and critical historical moments have made The Palace a cornerstone of Western history.

When Whiskey Row tragically burned to the ground in the early 1900's, patrons and cowboys saved the entire bar by physically carrying it across the street to the courthouse grounds. This act of preservation reflects the significance of the bar to the community, making the recreation project by H.J. Nick and his team even more poignant. The Palace Saloon wasn’t just a place to grab a drink; it was the heart of Prescott, where deals were made, political meetings were held, and the rugged life of the frontier was lived. Even in later years, stars like Steve McQueen visited The Palace, connecting its storied past with modern popular culture.

Old West Saloon Bar Historic Design Inspiration

This old west saloon bar features intricately detailed carved wood designs with both positive and negative reliefs that cannot be achieved by any machine. These are high relief carvings by the hands of one of our master carvers. Carvings by one master's hands are especially relevant when qualifying a piece as fine art.

In 1877, D.C. Thorne built the saloon and named it The Palace Saloon; it was one of over forty bars which stood next to one another on Whiskey Row in Prescott. Over the course of its history it has seen such famous patrons as Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp, Doc Holliday (in the 1870s before they headed south to Tombstone), and Steve McQueen. During his time in Prescott, before leaving for Tombstone, Wyatt Earp was involved in several gunfights behind the saloon, killing two men. Holliday also killed a man in the saloon during a knife fight. (World Famous Palace Bar) Although Whiskey Row was known for its many saloons. The Palace was much more than a fancy "watering hole". Men came in to check for notices of work available; it served as an election central for several area political races and cattle spreads; and mineral claims were bought and sold over the bar.

The Palace is still the oldest frontier saloon in Arizona and the most well-known and historic restaurant and saloon in the state. In the late 1870's, Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp and Doc Holliday were patrons of The Palace. Virgil and his wife Allie lived in Prescott where Virgil owned a saw mill at Thumb Butte and was Town Constable. Wyatt and his other brother, Morgan, visited Virgil in Prescott before they left for Tombstone. Doc was on a winning streak on Whiskey Row (possibly at The Palace) where he won $10,000 in Poker. He joined the Earp's eight months later in Tombstone.

On July 14th, 1900, The Palace was destroyed by the Whiskey Row fire. The ornately carved 1880's Brunswick Bar, which is still in use, was carried to safety across the street to the plaza by patrons. In order to rebuild, the owner Bob Brow formed a partnership with Ben M. Belcher and Barney Smith, owners of the former Cabinet Saloon, also destroyed in the fire. By 1901, The Palace Hotel and Bar, complete with Chinese restaurant and barber shop, was back in business. Today's Palace owners have done extensive remodeling to restore the Palace to its grandeur of 1901. Although still a frontier saloon, the addition of dining makes The Palace the gathering place it once was.

Old West Saloon Bar Architectural Design and Timeless Western Aesthetics

Our wood finishes will never crack, flake, chip, or peel off like paints and powder coats. That is because our hand rubbed stain infusion process begins with fine hand sanding, and infused open grain hand applied stains. Furthermore, additional steps add natural oils, waxes, and lacquers with curing between each step. That puts the finish into the wood, not just sprayed on. This means a finish that will stay beautiful for generations with little or no maintenance.

The original Palace Saloon featured a hand-carved wooden bar, an ornate back bar, and grand furnishings that exemplified the elegance and ruggedness of frontier life. These designs, rooted in European craftsmanship, were essential to the saloon’s role as both a social and business hub. The bar, and back bar served as the centerpiece of this aesthetic. Hand-carved wood, crafted with intricate detail, conveyed refinement in the otherwise wild setting of the Old West. The dual nature of the design—reflecting both the untamed and sophisticated elements of frontier life—created a lasting impression on all who entered.

For H.J. Nick and his team, the challenge is to faithfully recreate these features using the same handcrafting techniques, materials, and methods employed over a century ago. The intricate details, carvings, and structure have been painstakingly replicated, ensuring the new bar, and back bar feel as authentic as the original. This world class fine art, master hand carved bar is built using age old, tried and tested woodworking techniques. This is not reproduction quality product. When we build a historically inspired piece, it is made in the same hand and materials as the original design. Furthermore, we build to exact specifications from the historic record. That includes hand hewn, mortise and tenon, pegged and doweled construction. This type of construction ensures that your custom bar is built to stand the test of time. In fact, all of our historically inspired products are built using the same craft and materials that were used to build the original. H.J. Nick supervises the design and build of every product that is built in our factory, and he also travels the world visiting and studying historic buildings and architecture. By getting up close and personal, he is not only able to observe the design, but also what techniques and materials were used to construct them. It is his belief that using correct methods and materials is especially relevant when creating a historically inspired design such as this old west saloon bar.

H.J. Nick’s Vision: Recreating the Past for the Future

every piece of hardware from ArtFactory.com; including handles, hinges, grills, decorative accent elements, and more, is a one-of-a-kind work, signed and certified as world class fine art by award winning artist H.J. Nick. Each product is individually hand hammered into shape by our master blacksmiths over a coal fired forge, never to be exactly reproduced. Our custom door pulls are never cast copied, drop forged, or mass produced. Furthermore, we use only genuine wrought iron because unlike other metals, wrought iron doesn't corrode or break down over time with exposure to the elements. This makes for a handle that will stand the test of time.

This recreation project is not just a renovation; it is a recreation, designed to capture the original essence of the Palace Saloon’s famous bar and back bar. H.J. Nick and the Art Factory craftsmen are dedicated to utilizing the same traditional techniques that were used in the late 19th century, sourcing materials that match the original as closely as possible. Every detail, from the carved wood to the overall structure, has been replicated with precision. The back bar, a focal point of the original saloon, has been  recreated with the same grandeur and craftsmanship that made it one of the West’s finest architectural masterpieces.

All of the hardware on the old west saloon bar is made from solid, hand forged wrought iron built by the hands of a genuine master blacksmiths. That means built with hammer and anvil over a coal fired forge, using age old tried and tested techniques. We do not use casting, drop forging, build from a mold, or use any other fast or mass production process when creating our iron products. Hand forged blacksmithing makes for a product that is uniquely yours and will never be exactly reproduced. Furthermore, building it from wrought iron ensures that it will stand the test of time with little or no maintenance. This is because unlike other metals, wrought iron doesn't corrode with exposure to the elements. Additionally, all of our wrought iron hardware products are advance patinated with our proprietary process. This process infuses a hand applied iron oxide patina to the metal at over 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes for a finish that won't crack, flake, or chip like powder coating or painted on finishes.

Maintaining Old West Integrity in a Modern Context

All custom solid wood furniture from ArtFactory.com is designed by, and built under the supervision of award winning artist H.J. Nick. A door product is not signed by H.J. Nick until it has been found to meet all world class fine art quality specifications.

The recreated Palace Saloon Bar will offer visitors the unique opportunity to step back in time and experience the rich history of the Old West firsthand. H.J. Nick and his team are committed to preserving the saloon’s past while ensuring that it remains a lively, functional gathering space for future generations. By blending historical accuracy with modern functionality, the recreated bar and back bar will serve as a tribute to the past while still offering an enjoyable experience for today’s visitors. Whether patrons, Friends or family  come for a drink, a meal, or simply to absorb the history, they will be transported to a time when the Palace Saloon was the beating heart of life in Prescott.

Preserving A Living Piece of Western History

The recreation of the famous bar and back bar of The Palace Saloon by H.J. Nick and the Art Factory master craftsmen is more than just an architectural project—it is a dedication to preserving the stories, spirit, and craftsmanship of the Old West. Through meticulous attention to detail and the use of original methods and materials, this project will ensure that the bar of The Palace Saloon continues to stand as a testament to Western history.

The legendary figures of Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, President Teddy Roosevelt and the rough riders and countless others who frequented The Palace will continue to echo through the walls of this iconic space. By faithfully recreating the bar and back bar, H.J. Nick and his team are ensuring that The Palace Saloon remains a living piece of history, allowing modern-day visitors to experience the same atmosphere that has captivated patrons for nearly 150 years. This recreation not only honors the past, but secures The Palace’s place as a cherished Western landmark for generations to come. Furthermore, we are so confident in the quality of our materials and craftsmanship that this Old West Saloon Bar, and all of our products are guaranteed forever! Our combination of top grade materials and master hand craftsmanship makes for a quality of product that is unmatched anywhere at any price. This includes, certified, world class fine art detail all the way down to the hardware. To top it all off, every product from ArtFactory.com is custom made-to-order, to your exact specifications, and with unlimited customization options that are limited only by your imagination. If nothing but the best will do, call us today to speak with one of our talented design engineers at 1-800-292-0008 to get a quote on the custom old west saloon bar, or have us create a design based on any other historic bar, or even one from a movie, a photo or drawing, or even just an idea that you have in your head. Your options are literally endless when creating a custom bar with our staff of experts.