Cincinnati Magazine
March 16, 2021
Artist Winsor McCay (later famous for his âLittle Nemo in Slumberlandâ) captured the essence of Cincinnatiâs Irish saloons in this drawing published to illustrate one of Finley Peter Dunneâs âMr. Dooleyâ humor columns.
Image extracted from microfilm by Greg Hand.
So ubiquitous are the photographs of mustachioed men with feet up on the brass rail and plug hats screwed firmly upon their noggins, that you might be forgiven if you concluded that all Cincinnati saloons were identical. This is not the case.
For evidence, letâs turn to a meeting of the General Protective Association of Saloon-Keepers convened on Tuesday, April 24, 1883, to discuss a new state law taxing dispensaries of alcoholic potations. Although the meeting convened at a German hall, the president, J.J. Abbihl, introduced the agenda in English. According to the next dayâs