Founder's Day in Red Lodge (6-7-14)

We had a fun Saturday!!  In Red Lodge, the Carbon County Museum had free admission, had a free walking tour of Red Lodge, and a free tour of the Pollard Hotel too!  Then, because it was Founder's Day, they celebrated the 100th year of the Elks building and had a free lecture about the founding of the Elks and what the local Elks chapter does for the community.

Some interesting facts we learned about Red Lodge.  Back in the late 1800s (I can't recall the exact year), the Sundance Kid robbed a bank in Red Lodge!  Also, Red Lodge used to be (not sure if they still are) a major mining town with folks from all over the world coming to mine.  And we were told that at one time, there were more than 200 bars in the little town.

Here are some pictures from our day!

Pictures from the Pollard Hotel Tour:

 

One part of the Pub area used to be a store called The Golden Rule, that later became one of the original JCP stores!! 

Walking Tour of Red Lodge

Above, on the hill, you can see 2 of the mine entrances.  This used to be a chromium mine during WWII!

 

The Pride Park used to be the spot of a bar back in the day:)

 

I love this sign!!!  And let me tell you, we had one of the BEST meals here.  We've both been drooling since we left.... I'll talk more about it below:)

 

 

When we took the Pollard Hotel tour, they said that the dining room part of the hotel used to be a bank back in the late 1800s (just before the bank moved to across the street) and this was where the Sundance Kid robbed the bank.  Although we were told 2 potential stories - either they did rob the bank, or they were unsuccessful but had tried to rob the bank.

Below are pictures from the Carbon County Museum

Above is the model of the Smith Mine.  You can read about it below.  On our drive to/from Red Lodge we pass what is left of the mine after the explosion. 

These last 2 pictures are from Bogart's restaurant.  Can I just tell you it was the most amazing place!!  The restaurant isn't huge, but we were told they are famous for their margaritas (next time we will have to get one!!).  We had an appetizer called 'Taco fries' and let me tell you, if we could have wrapped them up in burritos we would have been so happy!  We've tried several other Mexican restaurants, but haven't found 'the one' that compared to El Toro back in OH.  But I think we found our place! Bogart's has a little of everything - burgers, salads, Mexican entrees, even pizza.  Scott got a cheeseburger and fries and I opted for something different that they called the 'Pirates of the Cuban' which is a sandwich with shredded beef, fried pickles, mustard, and pepper jack cheese.  After my first bite, I realized it tasted like a Maid Rite sandwich (you can get Maid Rites in Greenville, OH), but it was much better than a Maid Rite:)  We both shared sandwiches and we can't wait to go back!!  I particularly like all their funny antics on the menu.

We also tried some tacos as Mas Taco - we each had a chicken and a carne asada taco.  I like the chicken the best but Scott liked the carne asada the best.  It wasn't bad, but it's much different than the Mexican that we are used to.  But I have to say their salsa was pretty good!