Originally known as the Golden Eagle Brewing Company this establishment was one of early Tombstone's first saloons occupying just a small lot of about 50 by 30 feet with the brewery being in another structure to the rear. Named after its builder, Benjamin Wehrfritz, the Wehrfritz Building was expanded by adding a second story to house the offices for such notables as U.S. Deputy Marshal Virgil Earp, attorney George W. Berry and Dr. George E. Goodfellow. It is even known that "Buckskin" Frank Leslie was a night watchman here for a short time!

   The Golden Eagle Brewery was not hit as hard as others in Tombstone when the June 22, 1881 fire swept through town leaving in its wake a mass of destroyed buildings. During this fire, a large bucket brigade helped save this building from total destruction but fire was soon to be the demise of this once two story building when on May 26, 1882 it was totally destroyed as flames swept through and took with it all that was once the Golden Eagle Brewery.

   Swift action saw to it that the saloon was quickly rebuilt and the name was changed to the Crystal Palace Saloon. Imagine as you sit here and gaze around this fine establishment that in the center of the room was a goldfish pond "which spouts forth streams of pure water" as stated in the Tombstone Epitaph of July 23, 1882.

   The Crystal Palace Saloon soon became known as a fine dining establishment that not only served oysters and other delicacies in the lunchroom of the Palace, but also boasted of carrying the choicest brands of wines, liquors and cigars. Gambling and live music were also part of the action every night of the week.

   Prohibition saw another incarnation of the Crystal Palace Saloon and gambling laws made what was once a normal part of life in Tombstone soon a piece of the past. It is said that a businessman purchased the roulette wheels, gambling tables and later the bar, backbar and fixtures for his saloon across the border in Naco, Mexico.

   One visible sign of change came in 1915 when the Crystal Palace Saloon was turned into a movie theater named the Crystal Theater. The building was suited perfectly for this as it was renovated with a stage and rows of box seats on each side.

   The Crystal Palace has seen many owners and many incarnations including being a ticket office for the Greyhound Bus Station that housed a curio shop and lunch counter. And although the original bar may be lost to time somewhere, a replica was built in 1964 during a major reconstruction effort put on by the Historic Tombstone Adventures (HTA) that included the addition of the well-known wallpaper, new flooring and fine new furnishings.

The spirit of the Crystal Palace today is in the hands of your hostess, Ms. Kimmie who left her childhood roots of Dubuque, Iowa and moved to historic Tombstone Arizona where being intrigued by the colorful history and the beauty of the Crystal Palace she made an offer on her dream. It was the right place at the right time for her. And now it's a family affair keeping the Spirit of the Old West Alive!!

   Sit back and enjoy, relive, and feel the history of Tombstone and the Crystal Palace Saloon!!