Moorhead’s Saloon Era, 1890–1915

For twenty-five years, between 1890 and 1915, Moorhead, Minnesota, was infamous for being a rough and rowdy saloon town. The reputation was well deserved, as alcohol sales were the city’s number one industry

View (photograph) of Main Avenue from Fourth Street in Moorhead, ca. 1890s

View of Main Avenue from Fourth Street

View of Main Avenue from Fourth Street in Moorhead, ca. 1890s. From the Flaten/Wange Collection, Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County.

Photograph of John Haas’s Midway saloon, Moorhead, ca. 1890s.

John Haas’s Midway saloon

John Haas’s Midway saloon, Moorhead, ca. 1890s. From the collections of the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County.

Photograph of North Bridge saloons on First Street in Moorhead, ca. 1890s.

North Bridge saloons on First Street

North Bridge saloons on First Street in Moorhead, ca. 1890s. From the Flaten/Wange collection, Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County.

Photograph of A. J. Rustad's saloon, ca. 1890s.

A. J. Rustad’s saloon

A. J. Rustad’s saloon in Moorhead, ca. 1890s. From the Flaten/Wange Collection, Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County.

Photograph of the exterior of Fred Ambs's saloon, ca. 1890s.

Exterior of Fred Ambs’s saloon

The exterior of Fred Ambs’s saloon in Moorhead, ca. 1890s. From the Flaten/Wange Collection, Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County.

Photograph of the interior of Fred Ambs’s saloon, ca. 1890s.

Interior of Fred Ambs’s saloon

Interior of Fred Ambs’s saloon in Moorhead, ca. 1890s. From the Moody Family Collection, Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County.

Hamm's Bear

If you were a child in Minnesota during the 1950s and 1960s, one of your early memories may be watching a black-and-white cartoon bear in the Hamm’s Beer television commercials. The Hamm’s bear became one of several iconic characters linked to well-known Minnesota products and legends. The popular and award-winning Hamm's commercials, part of the Land of Sky Blue Waters advertising campaign, featured the clumsy and appealing bear, a catchy jingle, and a drumbeat.

Photograph of a Minnesota Twins schedule advertising Hamm’s Beer

Minnesota Twins schedule advertising Hamm’s Beer

Tri-fold pocket schedule for the Minnesota Twins 1972 baseball season featuring an advertisement for Hamm's Beer and WCCO Radio, 1972.

Photograph of Hamm’s Brewing Company salt and pepper shakers

Hamm's Beer salt and pepper shakers

A pair of salt and pepper shakers modeled after the Hamm's bear, ca. 1970s.

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