DESCRIPTION

The Rookwood Speakeasy Museum in Butte, Montana, is described as being “one of the most beautiful speakeasies west of Chicago.” It is twenty-five feet long, and extends underneath the N. Main St. sidewalk.

It was originally built to be the lobby of a very smart-looking 1912 boarding rooming house/up-scale hotel, The Rookwood Hotel. The visitor can see why!

The Rookwood Hotel and lobby had thick terrazzo tile flooring, wooden wainscoting on the walls, marble walls and floors, a double-door Otis elevator, a wrought-iron spiral staircase, and a lot of architectural and design flourishes, including stained glass skylights, hardwood moldings and mythical griffins carved into the ceiling. This building was going for the “high class joint” style aimed at folks interested in having a nice boarding room, or perhaps this was an upscale hotel, aimed at the wealthy. The experts don’t agree!

Many hotels during Prohibition had their own speakeasies. The Rookwood Speakeasy was well thought out. The experience of going to enjoy your favorite alcoholic drink began by going to the front door, where the potential customer rang a doorbell, which let those inside know if a customer or troublemaker was outside. Once the door opened, the customer finds him or herself in a foyer, complete with a coat rack, and a large, two-way mirror, so the doorkeeper would get a good “look-see.”

Another masonite door had a sliding peephole for a closer inspection by the doorkeeper and/or bouncer.

An added precaution was that the door was reinforced by a sturdy wood bar lock to slow down or stop efforts by police or other hostile folks like Carrie Nation to kick down the door.

Original, ornately carved wooden bars, pool table, betting boards and some artifacts from the era were found when the door was opened after so many years. Once the museum was planned, many items from private collections were added to the stuff originally found there.

Tours are regularly scheduled, and Tom and I went for the whole sports package in 2012. Besides the Rookwood Speakeasy, we saw several other buildings of interest, like a tiny speakeasy located in the back of a barber shop, and the creepy old jail, that was closed in the 1970s.

The Rookwood Speakeasy was a fascinating place! It really was a slice of the Prohibition culture. The air was a little heavy but not uncomfortable. It felt like someone else was keeping us company though.

Besides having tours, the owners hope to hold special events in this space as well. This may lead to more personal experiences and maybe even some hard paranormal evidence.

HISTORY

In 1912, The Rookwood Hotel was built by James Pratt, a businessman/merchant who operated his Red Boot and Shoe Company out of the ground floor space right next to the hotel entrance, now the home to the BS Café. Like many western/mid-western towns, there were tunnels and walkways under the city streets, and the lobby of the hotel would be underground, leaving the building above ground to have the most rooms possible: 45 rooms for rental in this case.

Ellen Baumler, interpretive historian at the Montana Historical Society, thinks that The Rookwood was a simple rooming house. She offers an ad that was posted in The Anaconda Standard on May 18th, 1913 that backs up her belief. “The most modern, up-to-date rooming house in the city,” it reads. “Local and transient trade solicited.”

Others feel because of the expense put into its classy decor and features, that the well-to-do would stay here, and think it was a swanky hotel. Perhaps James Pratt wanted to build a place that could appeal to everyone, increasing foot traffic and occupation rates. Perhaps both politicians and people with money, as well as miners and common travelers on business trips stayed here. The Rookwood could’ve had rooms for every pocketbook.

City Officials may have wanted to spend the week in Butte, during hectic political times or during the snowy blizzards if they didn’t live within walking distance. Visitors who were involved with Butte City Government or the mining business probably stayed here as well. People from out of town also may have desired a nice place to live. Miners who had some success may have enjoyed staying here as well as boarders.

Prohibition was an ill-conceived idea that declared that all alcohol was bad and forbidden. From 1919-1933, a defiant public was offered places called “Speakeasies” to go and imbibe in their favorite drink. Some cities offered more than others. In Butte, a mining town, there were 250 illegal bars, according to one source, that moved under the streets of Butte, or in hidden rooms of businesses. The local police simply looked the other way, especially if the speakeasy paid them a fee. Even an above-board business pays fees to the city, in order to have a business license.

Much of the banned alcohol was smuggled over the Canadian border by booze runners. Many townspeople also made their own drinks for private use, using mash and stills, to the point that the pipes of the city were being clogged with mash! Other entrepreneurs, like bootlegger Curly McFarland, were skilled in making moonshine, and sold contraband to some of the Speakeasies in Butte.

The Speakeasy that was created in the old underground lobby of the beautiful Rookwood Hotel reflected the grandeur found in the floors upstairs, making it very attractive to folks with money to spend, with patrons of the hotel, as well as miners with a sense of fashion and appreciation for the finer things in life!

To pad their income, this bar also offered gambling to take care of the money that was burning a hole in their customer’s pockets, which means they had someone on staff to make sure people paid up when they lost. This same tough fellow probably was the bouncer/security man who also did the job of throwing unruly folks out, and perhaps helped to screen the people coming in.

The Rookwood Speakeasy was raided only twice by Federal officials who were determined to show the strong arm of federal law, but it didn’t last long. “It is estimated,” The Butte Miner reported, “that 150 gallons of whiskey, 1,500 bottles of beer and 30 gallons of wine were destroyed by the hue and cry.”

In one of these raids, they arrested Curly McFarland, who probably wound up in federal incarceration, to set the example and put fear into the public, if only briefly.

No one knows how long this Speakeasy was open, but it was sealed and locked at some point, leaving everything as it was during the 1920s-1930s, creating a time capsule of sorts. It was forgotten for a long, long time.

In 1950, the building was transformed into the La Salle Apartments, but it slowly went downhill into a funky state, as the mines closed, and newer places sprung up to take care of the needs for hospitality. Finally, Jeff Francis bought the historic building along with several others with plans to restore them. He knew of the bar in the basement, and asked Mike Byrnes, co-owner of an uptown tour company called Old Butte Historical Adventures in Butte, to explore the basement. Perhaps, Jeff could work out a deal with this Tour Company to put this space to work, in order to raise funds for the restoration of The Rookwood Hotel building, which needed a boatload of money to do so.

Mike did indeed find a door with a doorbell in the building’s basement. This door led to the foyer which had a coat rack and a large, two-way mirror. Then, a second door with a peephole was the next obstacle to entry. After kicking in the second door, he found not only the expected “falling plaster, cobwebs and 30 buckets worth of debris,” but a real step into the past, with artifacts and furniture, and lovely, if dusty decor. This was the perfect place to clean up, restore and set up like the Speakeasy it once was. This Rookwood Speakeasy Museum would become a profitable tourist attraction; in essence, Mike Byrnes put this space back to work.

After two weeks of restoring, with the help of his partner, the late Denny Dutton, plus gathering donations from others and donating from his own collection of artifacts, Byrnes and Co. set up The Rookwood Speakeasy Museum, and began tours. Some spirits seem to be pleased that the living have finally fixed up their special place in this world, and perhaps for providing some entertainment by leading the people down to the spirits’ favorite place to stay.

For some reason, The Rookwood Speakeasy Museum is temporarily closed as of 2025, but hopefully will reopen in the future.

HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS

No one knows yet why the spirits in this place would be here still. We can make educated guesses though.

Because of the nature of Prohibition Speakeasies, mostly being controlled by shady elements of society, a lot of hauntings come from this period. Bootleggers, some mob representatives, speakeasy owners, and their bouncers/security men toiled illegally not just to make money, but to provide services that people wanted to have despite what the Federal Government had forbidden.

Rules were brutally enforced, with no mercy shown.

Cheating at the gambling games, or short-changing the establishment, or not paying debts from gambling could get you shot, fitted for a pair of cement shoes for the river, or buried in cement.

The Biltmore Hotel, FL (Local mobster and gambler Edward Wilson and two fun-loving gangsters from New York, Thomas Fatty Welch and his friend, Arthur Clark, set up a speakeasy at the Hilton on the 13th floor. At some point, Edward accused Fatty of skimming from the proceeds and shot him dead in front of the fireplace).

Alberta Bair Theater, MT (The remains of a mob victim were found in the original cement foundation. It is probably the bartender who was caught skimming money from the speakeasy bar located at the Rex Hotel).

Brumder Mansion, WI (When a gambler tried to cheat in a card game, he was taken to the coal room and shot by Joe the enforcer).

The Rookwood Speakeasy, MT (Cheating may have happened here, and the offender could’ve been caught and killed, which may explain other unidentified male spirits that may show themselves at some time).

Turf Wars or grudges between rival gangs not only caused the deaths of shady elements of society but sometimes innocent bystanders who were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Wabasha Street Caves, MN (Three mobsters who were off-duty, and playing cards in the side room of this speakeasy, were shot to death by a rival gang hitman).

Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre, IL (On the morning of February 14, 1929, seven of Bugs Moran’s gangsters were waiting in this garage, for a truck full of stolen liquor from Detroit to arrive. Five men, three dressed as policemen, walked into the garage with machine guns ready. All were lined up against the brick wall and shot. While Capone’s gunmen wiped out Moran’s Northern Chicago gang, they missed Bugs Moran himself, who told who was behind this massacre).

Wonder Bar Steak House, WI (The Wonder Bar building survived at least one shootout from the Touhy gang’s enemies).

The Rookwood Speakeasy, MT (The spirit of a young boy could’ve been the unintended victim of a raid or a shoot-out in the place. The spirit of a tough bouncer may have been gunned down by a rival gang or police raid).

People who knew too much or threatened their operations were often shot by these shady people. It didn’t matter if they had been loyal and had done everything that was asked of them.

Brumder Mansion, WI (The spirit of Joe the Enforcer, who did everything that he was asked to do, was shot along with the other speakeasy employees because the hidden heist money had been taken, which caused his spirit to stay).

The Comedy Store, CA (Mobsters cleaned house here by killing competitors and those employees who knew too much about their operation).

Portland’s Shanghai Tunnels, OR (In the early 1900s, one young sex slave, Nina, was approached by missionaries who promised to rescue her from her horrible life, if she told them who kidnapped her and who was her owner. She complied, but was killed and thrown down the elevator shaft of the Merchant Hotel where she “worked” before she could be rescued, probably by her peeved owners who found out what she had done).

The Rookwood Speakeasy, MT (The spirit of the tough bouncer may have been killed because he knew too much about mob business).

People in risky lines of work often die from those risks.

USS Lexington, TX (This aircraft carrier joined the Pacific Fleet, and participated in twenty-one months of combat. It fought effectively in nearly every battle with the Japanese during the 1943-1945 war effort. Many deaths were caused by the casualties of battle or attack by enemy planes. Three hundred and seventy sailors died on board, but not all from battle wounds. Accidents and suicides resulted in deaths as well).

Albany Capitol Building, NY (A security guard/night watchman, Samuel Abbott, was overcome by smoke, and was charred beyond recognition in a fire that broke out in the library, in 1911. He had made sure everyone was out of the building before trying to leave himself, but he couldn’t escape the deadly smoke and fire that was racing down the corridor from the libraries).

The Palace Hotel, WA (Working as a prostitute or sex worker comes with occupational hazards such as disease, unwanted pregnancies, abortions, childbirth gone wrong, personal misfortune, heartbreak or suicide).

The Rookwood Speakeasy, MT (One of the male spirits seen in the Rookwood Speakeasy resembles a Mob tough guy who was on the security/bouncer detail. Whether he met his end because he worked in an illegal business, or because of personal conflicts or a stay in prison, or even by natural causes, it is entirely possible that it was his line of work which could’ve put him into dangerous situations. Curley also paid the price of going to prison, as a consequence of his illegal bootlegging.

People who ran, did business with or worked at an establishment while alive, enjoying their time in a place, perhaps ended up meeting death because of circumstances connected to this place. They may decide to stay there after they pass from this world, especially if their favorite place is restored by others to its former glory.

Brumder Mansion, WI (The spirits who used to work here while alive, still do in their spirit forms).

Stanley Hotel, CO (A devoted spectral employee’s duties includes the upholding of values).

General Wayne Inn, PA (The spirits of Hessian soldiers who had fought and died with the British forces during the Revolutionary War, reside in a place where they had many good times together. Though their bar and restaurant was turned into a Shabbat House, I’m sure they have found ways to have fun).

The Rookwood Speakeasy, MT (Curly McFarland, wearing a straw hat, is one of its spirits. He was probably the major supplier of his kind of alcoholic drink, and loved the Rookwood Speakeasy. Knowing that it has been restored, his spirit is probably eager to come and remember his good times here, perhaps trying to work on letting go of his bad experiences in federal prison. His friend the tough bouncer also enjoyed working here and keeps Curly company).

Because of the lack of antibiotics and vaccines that we are blessed with today, children who lived in the first half of the 20th century were sometimes victims of infections or epidemics that swept through towns. Others died from accidents, physical ailments and abuse.

Moss Mansion, MT (The youngest child, Virginia, died of a disease at the age of six).

Stranahan House Museum, FL (The spirit of a young Native American girl died of a heart attack on the doorstep).

Bee Bennett Mansion, CA (Marcus Bennett Jr died from a fall down the stairs).

The Rookwood Speakeasy, MT (The spirit of the young boy may have died from a disease that swept through town).

MANIFESTATIONS

Three strong spirits have made themselves known without hesitation. Others may also reside here.

PARANORMAL FINDINGS

https://www.facebook.com/MiningCityParanormal/photos/pcb.281978082005711/281977482005771/?type=1&theater

Eric Pomeroy posted some pictures on Mine City Paranormal’s facebook page that he took of the two-way mirror in The Rookwood Speakeasy Museum in the foyer. He got a clear picture of a little boy, and a misty figure of an annoyed male spirit. Some see a white face, dark eyes, dark mouth nose and forehead; probably the bouncer or enforcer who worked in this speakeasy. Also, some think that another face of a male is seen above both of these entities, peeking around the door.

Investigator Eric Pomeroy, who captured this evidence, explains on his Facebook post. “It was taken here in Butte Montana, at the old Rookwood Speakeasy. A lot of miners went there in the early 1900s, so it would only make sense. He has an old hat like they used to wear. There were no little boys there at that time.”

Sarah Pomeroy added, “The mirror is a two-way mirror and there is a small chair on the other side. I think he may be standing on it because the mirror is high. Not to mention having a child work a speakeasy secret door isn’t unheard of back then.”

Another person observed: “Look at the size of the boy’s head, in comparison to the body of the cameraman. Standing the same distance from the mirror as the cameraman, which is the only way the boy wouldn’t actually be seen from behind in the picture, the boy’s head should look comparably smaller than it does. So, the only way this isn’t real is straight up Photoshop, and those pics are easy to check for these days. The owner should have it verified as not photoshopped. If it passes the test, it really is amazing!”

Some see the flash in the boy’s eyes, but he doesn’t blink, perhaps because he is spirit.

Needless to say, the Pomeroys are getting experts to authenticate their picture as being “the real deal.”

STILL HAUNTED?

Probably So to a Yes Indeed rating, depending on how much proof a picture can provide.

As to be expected with pictures, some investigators discount pictures as being fake, photoshopped, or an example of “matrixing or being a dirty mirror,” though it is hard to discount the picture of the little boy.

I personally believe that the investigator did indeed catch a unique photo into a mirror and caught two, if not three spirits! While I see why the other two male spirits could be from matrixing or even a dirty mirror, there is something not of this world about the boy’s face. His eyes are a little creepy.

Apparitions often appear with missing parts. I only see one ear that sticks out. The other ear isn’t visible, and it should be, which means that it could be a spirit.

One investigator from Paranormal Parazone commented (which is probably more reliable than my gifts of discernment), “I would like to see the original version to make an analysis, especially to test ELA. There are a lot of differences in the region colours. This may indicate slight digital enhancement or it may indicate a few re-saves, which then loses its high-frequencies.

Original photos should have almost equally bright low-contrast edges and high-contrast edges. Scaling an addition to a photo or rendering through a graphics program like GIMP or Photoshop usually auto-sharpens the edges. For me, this is inconclusive, though the ELA is fairly uniform, so it can’t be entirely ruled out as anomalous.” ~Wulf

Even without these photos, the two male spirits were seen in lifelike detail by a tour guide when he came back down to turn off the lights and lock up. Personal experiences have just started to be reported to the public, and the tour guide’s startling encounter sure is a great beginning pointing to the existence of spirits still enjoying this speakeasy setting, remembering good times, and trying to forget the unpleasantness that keeps drawing them into this world.

The more that the living use this space, the more they will witness all of these characters. Hopefully, experienced and/or gifted paranormal investigators will be able to gather more hard evidence like EVPs, and psychic mediums will fill in the details of anyone in the spirit world who hangs around this place.

LOCATION

Rookwood Speakeasy — Old Butte Historical Adventures
117 North Main Street
Butte, MT 59701
(406) 498-3424 * rigibson@earthlink.net

The Rookwood Speakeasy Museum is located in the basement of the old Rookwood Hotel building, now called The La Salle Apartments, located just across the alley from the old Butte City Hall Building and the old police station.

SOURCES INCLUDE

• Haunted Montana
  by Karen Stevens
  Riverbend Publishing
  2007
• http://www.hauntedmontana.com/index.php?p=1_18_August-2010
• www.buttetours.info/rookwood.htm
• https://www.facebook.com/MiningCityParanormal/photos/pcb.281978082005711/281977482005771/?type=1&theater – Pic by Eric Poneroy = two spirits – the little boy and the angry man in misty form
• https://www.facebook.com/MiningCityParanormal/photos/pcb.281978082005711/281977545339098/?type=1&theaterby Eric Pomeroy – Apparition of a man peeking out of the doorway behind him reflected in the mirror.
• Mining City Paranormal, https://www.facebook.com/MiningCityParanormal?ref=stream

Our Haunted Paranormal Stories are Written by Julie Carr

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