07/12/2026
Those that came before.
Four Saloon’s and a little White Church
It’s hard not to think of the History of the Yaak without remembering its places of social gatherings. The places where loggers and hippies would find common ground. Where monthly music jams and potlucks would spring up. Where jobs were found and strangers became friends and neighbors. Where gossip was told and fishing lies where spread. Shake-A-Day was the game of choice. They were the center for everything. Before the tourists, the retirees, the store and tavern and coffee kiosks, there was,
The Saloon’s of the Yaak.
The Dirty Shame Saloon
Airman Edward’s had a problem. And an opportunity. He has recently been assigned to some god forsaken place called the Yaak to construct an Airbase. The problem was there was nothing for the workers to do after a day’s work. And he also liked a good stiff drink now again. The opportunity he saw, the need for alcohol. The problem was it was a long way from any town. The answer, make my own. A still was bartered for from a local homesteader. Scrounged sheet metal, sawhorses with a wooden blank for a bar top and homemade moonshine. In 1951 the Dirty Shame Saloon opened its doors for business.
“Why, that’s a dirty shame.” The base construction workers would say when the booze sold out. There are many stories about how this out of the way place got its name. The most famous of course is when the boxer Joe Louis visited the Yaak and when he found out they didn’t have his favorite scotch, he apparently said, “That’s a dirty shame.”
However the name came about, it stuck. In the seventies and early eighties, it was a true loggers bar. Romeo’s, cut off black Dickie work pants topped off with suspenders and a hickory zippered shirt was the attire of the day. Baseball caps with their favorite chainsaw image. Rounds of cheap b**r, tales of conflict with the Forest Service and endless rounds of that Shake-Day for a quarter. It also had its share of celebrity visits from the famous Joe Louis to Mick Fleetwood and others.
There’s been a variety of owners over the years with each bringing their own style to the place. Each would bring different events. From the crawfish festival to a leg shaving and wet tee shirt contest. One of the more interesting nights was the annual Tree Planters Ball. During this time, hundreds of tree planters from around the country would be decent on the Yaak to plant trees in the spring. When the season ended, the Shame would host the ball. Loggers, hippies, homesteaders, tourists, and of course tree planters would all mesh together with music under those Yaak stars. Good times.
The building itself has gone through many changes over the years. The first of buildings burned down. After a recent renovation it has become more of a grift shop for the local retirees and motorcycle tourists too relive the stories of the past. And to say they had a b**r at the “Dirty Shame Saloon.”
Cherokee Strip Saloon
If you ever wanted to put a saloon out in the middle of nowhere as far from civilization as you can get, the Cherokee Strip was your place. Located on the South Fork of the Yaak River between Yaak and Libby. A place of counterculture friendships, or hippies as some would call them. With its rough shingle siding and stone fireplace, it had a very special feel and vibe. Having no electricity, it had a unique way of making do. To keep the b**r cold they had diverted water from the creek behind the bar into a cement trough where the b**r was stored. You can’t talk about the Strip and not think of those amazing burritos fresh off the skillet. A burrito, a creek chilled b**r with friends was the perfect ending to a day of woods work. They even brought movie nights to the Yaak with their generator and small tv. Truly a special place in a special time in the Yaak. Sad to sad it is now just memories under a pile of ashes. But good memories indeed.
The Hellroaring Saloon
The fisherman’s bar. Owned by Don and Diane McNulty and situated fifty feet from the Yaak River with views across the river. Don was a fisherman and even though he lived right on the water, he didn’t fish the river. He was a mountain lakes man. Fish Lake, Vinal Lake, Hawkins Lakes were a few of his favorites. Don served drinks and Diane would make the pizzas. Two of the nicest folks to live in the Yaak. Every year they would sponsor the Shame to Hellroaring Canoe Race. Don would cook up a pile of Bar-B-Q ribs and Diane would make up spreads of baked beans and salads. Truly a community event. And they had their own celebrities. John McIntire and is wife Jen would always stop in on their way home from town. There was always a cold b**r, slice of pizza and fishing tale too be told.
The Golden Nugget Saloon
(Sorry, I have no photos of this fine establishment.)
A community bar located in the mining district of Sylvanite. Forest Service workers, log truck drivers, workers from the local mill, timber cutters. All enjoyed the cold b**r and food the family atmosphere provided. There was one thing on the menu. Cheeseburgers with potato salad. The bar was managed by musicians from Troy so once a month in the winter they would host a music night. Locals would show up with guitars, mandolins, a flute or two, violins and of course a standup Bass. And how can you forget that six foot satellite dish installed to bring us Monday Night Football. High tech for sure. Throw in a potluck and good times were had. Sad to say, the Golden Nugget Saloon has become like most of the history of the Yaak, memories under a pile of ashes.
That Yaak Attack
During this time in Montana, it was legal to drink and drive. So, a drunken tradition was born, “The Yaak Attack.” Start in Libby or Troy with a drink at your favorite bar. Then head for the Yaak and get a drink at all four establishments. Go cups were common. You could even get a bumper sticker, “I survived the Yaak Attack.” There is no information about who survived and who did not with this type of outing.
That little white church is still standing.
Edd Kuropat
