By Roger Porter
of the Montana Tavern Times The Caboose Saloon has long been a fixture in Laurel.
It began as a small establishment downtown called the Laurel Bar. With economic prosperity, due primarily to the railroad and Cenex refinery, also came the need to expand from its original location. So move they did in January 1977 to the former location of a lumber yard and ceramic store.
With the move to 704 West Main Street also came a new name, the Caboose Saloon, in honor of the saloon' railroad patrons.
With the new location also came a new look, as is evidenced by the historic back bar said to have been freighted out West in a covered wagon. Serving as light fixtures in the new digs are old wagon wheels, each wired to hold multiple lights. The bar itself boasts a collection of old coins countersunk in the surface.
Ten years after the move to the new location, the Caboose was purchased by Terry and Jackie Fink, and thus begins another exciting chapter in the evolution of the Caboose.
Oddly enough, Terry made a huge jump in occupations, from convenience store owner to bar owner. However, he didn't break stride as he took on this new challenge.
One of the first things he did was to remove a large fireplace which occupied the middle of the floor about halfway down the length of the bar. According to Terry, while attractive, the fireplace impeded flow in the bar and the space would be better opened up. With the removal of the fireplace, Terry built a second bar which could serve the overflow from the main bar when things got busy.
As in every life, Terry' had a defining moment, and he dates that from the day an itinerant artist named R.F. "Ron" Rains approached him to buy a bronze. intrigued by the bronze, but turned off by the asking price of $3,500, Terry passed. However, Rains often dropped in, and each time Terry would ask him if he still had the bronze, he'd answer "yup."
Finally Terry gave into his instincts and purchased the bronze, and incidentally began a long time friendship with Rains. Today the bronze--which features a barroom scene with Will Rogers, Will James and Charlie Russell--still looks out over the premises from its glassed-in case. And, that my friends, began Terry' long and distinguished love affair with Western art.
It is my belief that a person would have to look high and low, hither and yon to find a finer private collection of Western bronzes. Many of them are life-sized and grace the exterior of the building. Visitors to the location should first inspect the grounds where they'll find renderings of Wyatt Earp, Liver Eatin' Johnson, a grizzly bear, moose, elk and buffalo. Even the front roof holds two mountain lions, one readying herself to pounce.
Serious about his love of Western art, Terry is one of the founders of the Yellowstone Cowboy Arts and Bronze Committee.
Once inside the Caboose, visitors can begin a walking tour of the many bronzes on display. The works feature such noted Western artists as Ron Rains, his brother Bill, Jim Knight, Lyle Johnson, Don Hershberger, Zack Garretson and Ken Martin, among others.
Wander the premises and view myriad of bronzes, some in a natural setting such as the rabbit and the wolf mounted on their native turf. Even the ceiling is not devoid of the artistic displays, as three ducks look out over the main bar and a large American eagle guards the back area from on high.
Most of the displays have some kind of a story behind them, with perhaps one of the most interesting being the life-sized cowgirl gracing the end of the second bar. \\
Noting the absence of a couple of his best regulars once, Terry subsequently quizzed them as to why they weren't stopping by as they had in the past.
They replied almost in unison that they were stopping down at the competition because they had more buxom beauties. That raised Terry' hackles and, not to be out done, he had a bronze beauty sculpted to accommodate his erstwhile buddies.
Actually, she is supposed to be holding a Budwieser in her left hand, but Terry says every time he puts one there it disappears.
In addition to the marvelous art offerings, Terry has an obsession regarding cleanliness. Obviously, he got the word that it was next to godliness. Once a month he contracts with a local woman to come in and wipe the entire bar down from top to bottom. And, frankly it' a joy to behold. Must be quite a task considering the bronzes, letters and other memorabilia on display.
Lest you think Terry spends all his time collecting Western art, you owe it to yourself to take a page out of his book on business acumen.
Down through the years, the Caboose has always been the weekend music headquarters for Laurel residents and visitors. Terry complains that musicians are becoming harder and harder to get, with many of the old ones putting away their instruments.
A few years ago, he noticed that on music nights the casino play was down. After a bit of investigation he arrived at the conclusion that they found the music distracting and would go elsewhere on nights featuring music. His answer to that was to build a new casino addition featuring its own unisex restroom, bar and separate entrance.
Asked if the move was successful, he replied that "it has paid for itself many times over."
Knowing that a bargain will draw customers, Terry is not above running a beer special such as an 18 pack priced as much as $6 under his competition. At those prices it not unusual to see a customer walk out with five or six specials. Normally, the specials don't last the weekend.
As to off-sale spirits, the Caboose matches the prices of state-owned liquor stores--and has longer hours.
Almost a thing of the past, the Caboose still cashes payroll checks. As a result, there' a pretty consistent parade of customers all day long.
One advantage a bar owner has when he collects objects of art is that, for some reason, artists for the most part are always thirsty--so many works can be accumulated by simply providing a night of drinks or allowing the artist to drink up the purchase price. Now isn't that exactly how the Mint Bar in Great Falls amassed their fantastic collection of Russell art?
Well, enough time spent at Laurel' Caboose Saloon and Casino. Unfortunately, this article can't do justice to the many treats that await you at the Caboose. Just make sure and stop in for yourself on your next road trip to the Billings area. You won't be disappointed.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, Sept, 2005, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.