Down at the Depot

Prior to last week, I believe the last time I had been in the Main Depot was the day of the OJ Bronco chase which I watched with a group of similarly bemused co-workers as we downed our post-work brews. The afternoon was memorable not only for The Juice's flight from the authorities, but also because the bathroom stall lock broke and I was forced to crawl out underneath the door. At least it wasn't Buck's.

My recent visit was occasioned by Historic Madison, Inc. who were throwing a historic tavern drink'n'learn shindig. Stepping inside, I found that the place was a-hoppin'.

I've always like the Depot with its pressed tin ceiling and homey vintage vibe. But I spent more time down the street at The Echo as I could get in underaged. Of the throngs of people before me, I wondered who was just relaxing after work, whatever retirees do during the day, or other activities and who was here specifically to learn a bit of history.

When the hour arrived, I went out back where the history buffs were assembling. I ran into a woman I know and we chatted a bit. She mentioned how she used to live in the area, specifically, in a house over at Bassett and Wilson.

"Me too. I lived in the big white house on the corner there," I replied.

"215 South Bassett?" she inquired.

"Yes!" I confirmed.

She let out an enthusiastic, "That's where I lived!" 

She had lived in that house in 1970-72, about 20 years prior to my residence there. Back in her day it wasn't one big 7 bedroom house like I encountered but rather the place was split up into apartments or, perhaps more correctly, rooms rented out individually. Back then, she recalled, she would have to hastily make her way through clouds of tear gas that wafted from Miffland.

The first speaker was Travis, the current owner of the Depot. He gave a brief intro to the place and how the tavern came into his possession before passing the mic to the history nerds. 

From the first speaker (above) we learned a bit about the area's past which was entwined with the railroads and the businesses that used them. Included were tales of woe and of the occasional drunk getting himself killed on the rails. The second presenter spoke about the tavern itself. If memory serves, it opened in 1905. There used to be a dumbwaiter to serve the, uh, working girls, shall we say, who lived on the second floor. The gentleman also explained the origins of the stained glass out front. They date back to the early 1980s, methinks, and were done by a friend of the owner. Maybe.

When the lectures were over, and they weren't very long, we went inside where Travis gave a brief tour of the place.

The opening in the ceiling for the dumbwaiter is now covered by a mirror.

A phone booth remains although ohne Telefone. People use it to enjoy a little quiet when they need to take/make a call on their smartphones. Travis noted it is something of an enigma for the younger set, most of whom are incredulous at the idea that a telephone could be part of the commons. 

Travis pointed out the original mosaic floor and explained that it was uncovered during lockdown. Well, most of it as some of the back area remains clad in asbestos.

And here's a close-up of a couple of the stained glass pieces. 

 

 A fun and informative evening. We were told that there will be another historic Madison tavern shindig next year but the venue has not yet been determined.