Glur’s Tavern believed to be oldest bar on this side of the Missouri River

COLUMBUS, Neb. (KOLN) - Glur’s Tavern has operated since 1876, making it the oldest tavern on this side of the Missouri River, according to manager Tabitha Riedmiller.

Riedmiller said the building retains many original features.

“I have original tables still from when this place was built,” Riedmiller said.

The building is a National Historic Site, meaning changes require permission, Riedmiller said. The flooring is original, though the floor began sinking about 20 years ago, requiring crews to reinforce it from the basement.

An addition was built onto the front and back of the original structure, Riedmiller said. The tavern’s beer garden has been redone, Riedmiller said. New turf has been installed, and cornhole will be added next year. Horseshoes, a game Riedmiller said was originally played there, will also return.

Riedmiller says Buffalo Bill Cody is believed to have visited the location. “He used to come here,” Riedmiller said.

Riedmiller said Cody lived in North Platte and had a friend in Columbus, which she said is why he visited often. A story holds that Cody once brought a $1,000 bill to the tavern and paid for drinks for everyone there, Riedmiller said.

“Rumor has it, he brought a $1,000 bill and he bought everybody a round,” Riedmiller said. “But I don’t know about the $1,000 bill. Can’t quote me on that one.”

The tavern’s basement has dirt floors, Riedmiller said. She said tunnels once ran from the tavern to one of the town’s funeral homes and were used during Prohibition. The tavern’s tunnel entrance is boarded up and inaccessible, Riedmiller said.

“If we could open it, I bet there would be some neat stuff down there,” Riedmiller said.

Glur’s Tavern serves burgers, chicken and fries from a small kitchen, Riedmiller said. The tavern offers a daily special and is open every day.

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