Historic Walking Tour
110 West Elkhorn
This building was most famous with proprietor Jesse H Jay and his club "Chez Jay", and the "Jay Hotel" situated to the left/East at 100 W Elkhorn- both properties were collectively known as "The Jay Building". Beginning in the 20's and 30's the Chez Jay Hotel featured a back room built by the Jay family. They brought in the best shows from Broadway including set design for summer entertainment for their guests and performed live in the theater/stage back room to set this resort apart from other hotels. Other early tenants between 100 and 110 W Elkhorn included the Mountaineer Shop offering cabin decorations and furnishings, and the Skelgas/Electric Shop.
In July 1939, it was opening night for Chez Jay- a new addition to Estes Park billed as "The most beautiful nightclub West of Chicago". The Shangri La room featured 1,000 feet of brilliant neon inside the building, installed by a neon company out of Topeka Kansas. The neon lighting allowed the club to change the color of the illumination to match the mood of the music "from rose to a daylight white". It was noted in the newspaper that it was one of "a few in the country" where neon is used inside the building. They also wrote that an important Lyman Byxbe drawing was illuminated properly by the daylight white neon.
During the 1940's the name changed to the Mumford Hotel & Dance Hall, where visitors enjoyed R&R during the war years and big band era. In the 1950's through the 1970's, it became the Continental- a fitting name being situated at the foot of the Continental Divide. Creating a wild west reputation, The Continental developed into a rough and tumble biker bar atmosphere. It remained an important local watering hole, but an opportunity arose after the Lawn Lake flood of 1982. The soon-to-be renovated bar was renamed Lonigans Saloon in a "Bar Naming Contest". Two local friends- one CSU grad, and one CU alum- won the contest and decided that with a few modifications and lots of energy, they could turn it back into a great bar with fun people, great food and Live Rock n' Roll. In 1983 Bruce Crowley and Al Arms purchased the bar they had just named.
About 20 years later, opportunity knocked for Dave & Debbie Callahan who felt called to Lonigans. With their love for the mountains, seasons, and this great town, they purchased the bar in 2005 and after adding some Irish flair, they invested blood sweat and tears into the historic locals hangout.
In 2016, Dave and Debbie needed to focus on family, so Sabir and Paras offered to purchase Lonigans and carry on the Irish pub tradition. Their young, enthusiastic energy injected Lonigans with new menu options, and vibrant entertainment nights.
Don't miss the second floor doorway and porch which were once quite prominent roman columns that were a big part of the imposing second floor façade (see picture below).
Built 1912
Current use
Lonigans Pub & Grill
Former uses
Florence Linen Shop
1938- Mountaineer Shop
1938- Skelgas & Electric Shop
1939- Chez Jay lounge
1941- Mumford Hotel & Dance Hall
1942- Indian Grill, S.A. Newton, prop
1940s- Petersen's Radio Service
1990s- Boardwalk Pizza
All original website content © Copyright 2024