The Same Old Moses Saloon

Moses Weinberger: The Man Behind the Saloon

Moses Weinberger, born in 1859 to a poor Orthodox Jewish family in Hungary, emigrated to America seeking a better life. After arriving in New York City on the steamship “Fresia,” Weinberger worked as a butcher for several years. A return trip to Hungary resulted in his conscription into the Austrian Army, but Weinberger soon returned to the U.S., this time applying for citizenship to solidify his new American identity.

In 1885, Weinberger moved to Kansas, where he farmed and later engaged in fruit and meat merchandising in Wichita. He married a woman named Rose, and they started a family. Upon hearing of the opportunities in the newly opened Oklahoma Territory, Weinberger decided to seek his fortune further west.

The Oklahoma Land Rush and the Birth of a Saloon

On April 22, 1889, the day of the Oklahoma Land Rush, Moses Weinberger took a train from Wichita to Guthrie station. As thousands of people descended on the area to stake their claims, Weinberger saw an opportunity. He claimed two lots in town, set up a tent, and quickly realized that the influx of settlers had created a desperate need for food.

Weinberger ingeniously ordered boxes of bananas from Wichita and sold them to the hungry homesteaders, thus beginning his initial success in the Territory. Using the profits from his banana sales, he expanded his ventures and eventually moved his family to Guthrie. He transitioned from fruit peddling to real estate, capitalizing on Guthrie’s rapid growth as the provisional capital of Oklahoma.

Opening the First Legal Saloon

In June 1891, Weinberger heard a rumor that a federal license to sell liquor in Oklahoma might be obtainable. Despite having no prior experience running a saloon, he applied for and received the license from Leavenworth, Kansas. Weinberger then opened the first legal saloon in the Oklahoma Territory, prominently displaying his license to thwart any raids from local law enforcement.

Named “The Same Old Moses” after a chance encounter with an old acquaintance, the saloon quickly became a popular establishment. Located at 211 West Harrison Avenue, it was known for its quality liquors and lively atmosphere. Weinberger offered a variety of nationally known whiskeys and major beer brands, making it a central hub for the town’s social life.

The Encounter with Carry Nation

The saloon’s fame grew, attracting the attention of Carry A. Nation, the notorious temperance advocate known for her hatchet-wielding crusade against alcohol. Nation, who had settled in Guthrie, was invited by Weinberger to give a temperance speech at his saloon. He stipulated that there would be no hatchet-swinging during her visit. While Nation initially complied, she could not resist taking a swing at Weinberger’s mahogany bar at the end of her speech, leaving a notable mark. Weinberger humorously responded by hanging a sign that read: “All Nations welcome except Carry.“

This encounter left such an impression that many saloons across the Midwest began to adopt similar signs on their bar shelves, proclaiming, “All Nations welcome except Carry.”

The Impact and Legacy

Weinberger’s saloon thrived until Oklahoma adopted a constitution that banned all alcohol sales upon achieving statehood in 1907. Forced to close his saloons, Weinberger turned to other ventures, including a transfer business and a ready-to-wear apparel store. Despite these setbacks, he remained a prominent figure in Guthrie and a supportive member of the local Jewish community.

Moses Weinberger passed away in 1940, but his legacy lives on. The Same Old Moses Saloon is commemorated by a marker that tells the story of Weinberger’s pioneering spirit and his contributions to Oklahoma’s history. The marker is on West Harrison Avenue east of South 2nd Street, on the right when traveling east in Guthrie, Oklahoma. 

From his humble beginnings to becoming the proprietor of the first legal saloon in Oklahoma, Moses Weinberger’s life is a testament to resilience, ingenuity, and the enduring spirit of the American frontier.