Oxford Saloon & Eatery History

The Oxford Saloon & Eatery, established in 1910, is one of the oldest restored saloons in the northwest. Housed in the Oxford Building (built in 1889 as Blackman Dry Goods Store) this fine old place, totally restored in 1992, has the look and feel of an 1880's saloon. There are two floors with original and restored fixtures of the period throughout. The main floor still has the original large oak back bar, the moose head where patrons would pitch nickels for beers, and Big John, the Knight in Shining Armor. The back bar survived a sailing voyage from the east coast around Cape Horn and was retrieved from the Seattle Hotel in the late 1890's. Downstairs is the comfortable Ole Time Pub and the upper floor is now occupied by The Red Door Salon.
 
One of the major attractions of The Oxford is it's famous for being haunted by upwards of 18 ghosts! The spirit of “Kathleen” has been seen in her colonial dress in several places, most notably Room #5 on the second floor where the rooms were used as a brothel at one time. The most famous spirit is a policeman named Henry who was killed in a knife fight in the stairwell leading to the lower bar. He’s pictured in a framed photo by the stairs along with other officers in Keystone Cops type uniforms and has also been seen at times throughout the building. According to a Seattle Times article, staff have heard their names called in an empty room, seen objects fall off the bar for no reason, and find pictures hanging crooked when they had been straight moments before.