The Copper Bar

from the Terre Haute House

-An Historical Timeline-

1928:

The third hotel to call itself the “Terre Haute House” opened in July, 1928.  The hotel had a room (without a bar) designated as a “lounge” but couldn’t serve alcohol due to the Prohibition.

1936:

The Terre Haute House added the Mayflower Room (a ballroom), and the Marine Room (a bar).  The Marine Room was decorated with a nautical motif and featured a half u-shaped copper bar made by the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company of Chicago.  Still in business today, Brunswick has made billiard supplies for over 150 years. 

1937:

Due to the tremendous success of the Marine Room, the bar was doubled in size and a second half was added to the copper bar making it a complete U-shape.  The second half of the copper bar was built by another Chicago manufacturer, the Liquid Carbonics Company; makers of Soda Fountains and soda products.  Coincidently, Liquid Carbonics was founded by a former Terre Hautean,

Jacob Baur.  Mr. Baur's brother Charles was also a past manager and proprietor of the second Terre Haute House hotel.  The original bar had recessed lighting under the top which illuminated the base.

1970:

After thirty four years on the Terre Haute bar scene, the Marine Room was converted into a steakhouse called “Naughtingham’s” in an attempt to draw business. 

Naughtingham’s was themed around Robin Hood and the Sherwood Forest.  Sadly, the hotel and the bar closed a few months later, never to reopen.  The Liquid Carbonics half of the bar was offered as a gift to then manager and faithful employee Richard Van Allen.  Mr. Van Allen declined the gift and this half of the bar was moved to the Hulman Ranch on East Highway 40, across from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

2005:

The Terre Haute House was demolished to make way for the new Hilton Garden Inn – Terre Haute House.  The Brunswick-Balke half of the copper bar was saved and moved to it's current location in the former Frog’s Bistro building; now the home of a new bar:  The Copper Bar!

2006:

The Copper Bar, Downtown Terre Haute’s newest hot spot, opened on April 21st!  They are located at 810 Wabash Ave. in Terre Haute, IN.