[photo courtesy of Google Earth]
Few from my home town of Huron, South Dakota, won't recognize this local icon. It's been in existence longer than most of us have, sitting right there on the corner of 2nd and Dakota. The stories it could tell! But thank goodness, it can't.
Late May of 1939 brings the inception of legalized on-sale liquor to Huron - something not done since the saloons went out of business more than 20 years prior. Hurst's Corner was first to obtain a license, followed quickly by the Marvin Hughitt Hotel and William E. Wagner. Wagner was the proprietor of the Sportsman's Bar.
South Dakota state law forbade both off- and on-sale of liquor in the same building, so some quick remodeling was done to be compliant. Carl Daum became responsible for the off-sale part of the business, located in the center of the building and facing 2nd street, while owner S. A. Goethal would run the on-sale part.
And here we are, 80+ years later, and Hurst's Corner is still there.
Sources:
Google Earth
Evening Huronite, Huron, South Dakota, 23 May 1939, pg. 1
1940 Huron City Directory
