HISTORY OF THE GATEWAY INN
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The History of the Gateway Inn
The Gateway Inn was located on the northwest corner of Hwys 45 and B, now the site for 1938 NORTH Restaurant and Sports Bar, 1938 NORTH Catering, and the Gateway BP
Station. Construction on this building began in 1937, and, according to Nig DeMers, local historian, the front windows of that building were actually salvaged from a previous building
located there, the Black Bear, a soda fountain, store and gas station built by Gus Conradson, and owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Irv Moenning. The bear cage, retained by the
Gateway, always housed at least one black bear for tourists to feed, and was located just to the north of the building. It remained there through the early days of the Inn's operation.
Gambling in Wisconsin was legal then, and slot machines were a prime attraction at the Inn. The Inn also featured twelve bowling alleys, billiard tables, a cozy, small, handcrafted
bar-restaurant area, and a gas station at the front of the building on Hwy 45. A much larger bar, known as the Red Deer Lounge, was the focal point of the Inn, with its huge window
facing north and a view of a spectacular rock garden with waterfalls and a replica of an entire village. In the summer, the major restaurant area, located where 1938 NORTH
Restaurant is now, hosted entertainment.
After WWII, the entertainment was provided by a lively crew of young college-age waiters and waitresses, and the two dinner shows nightly were packed. Dresses for women and
sportcoat and tie for men were required. Much of the original building was demolished as part of the 1990 renovation.
Thank you Barbara Nehring for the History of the Gateway Inn.
The Gateway Inn was located on the northwest corner of Hwys 45 and B, now the site for 1938 NORTH Restaurant and Sports Bar, 1938 NORTH Catering, and the Gateway BP
Station. Construction on this building began in 1937, and, according to Nig DeMers, local historian, the front windows of that building were actually salvaged from a previous building
located there, the Black Bear, a soda fountain, store and gas station built by Gus Conradson, and owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Irv Moenning. The bear cage, retained by the
Gateway, always housed at least one black bear for tourists to feed, and was located just to the north of the building. It remained there through the early days of the Inn's operation.
Gambling in Wisconsin was legal then, and slot machines were a prime attraction at the Inn. The Inn also featured twelve bowling alleys, billiard tables, a cozy, small, handcrafted
bar-restaurant area, and a gas station at the front of the building on Hwy 45. A much larger bar, known as the Red Deer Lounge, was the focal point of the Inn, with its huge window
facing north and a view of a spectacular rock garden with waterfalls and a replica of an entire village. In the summer, the major restaurant area, located where 1938 NORTH
Restaurant is now, hosted entertainment.
After WWII, the entertainment was provided by a lively crew of young college-age waiters and waitresses, and the two dinner shows nightly were packed. Dresses for women and
sportcoat and tie for men were required. Much of the original building was demolished as part of the 1990 renovation.
Thank you Barbara Nehring for the History of the Gateway Inn.