Work continues on Harrington Haus

The former Harrington Haus is finally drying out with the new owner, John Dempsey, working long, hard hours and continuously ventilating the structure. Several on-lookers contemplated the removal of the old pool table which Dempsey was not interested in trying to preserve. At one point, Gene Dietrich had stipulated that he wanted to remove the pool table prior to the signing of the papers, but in the final analysis, Dietrich was not willing to remove it. Leaks in the roof for years had damaged the table, making it necessary to totally reconstruct the table in order to salvage it. Dempsey began with the sledge hammer and wrecking bar and whittled it down to removable pieces; the ½-ton table is no more.

Similarly, the red plastic-covered booths were reduced in size and removed from the structure, as they retained the scent of years of water damage. The bar stood erect for more than a week, while these other items and the old piano, also water saturated, were removed. One can’t help but wonder how many local patrons sat and played the piano or if at various periods in the history of the tavern there were seasons when the piano was an integral part of the business. Poking one’s head in the doorway, the bar had been reduced to rubble by mid-week, and Dempsey had plans to quickly remove the refrigerator case with glass doors.

Catching Dempsey occasionally resting or catching his breath, he willingly shares his next plans for filling the dumpsters and loading the trucks headed for the transfer station. He speaks of the deplorable condition of the east 10 feet of the building, and says he plans to remove that portion. Family members have shared in his work, but for the better part of the time, Dempsey has done the bulk of labor alone. The ceiling tiles were in the first loads to the transfer station, and the framework that held them has now been removed.

A correction needs to be made to our last report in The Record: the mural on the south wall of the building was painted in 1947 by Luke Williams, not Lucky Williams. With the 2 x 4 framework removed from the mural, the signature is clear. Luke Williams was born in 1887, making him about 60 when he painted the mural. He worked for his sons, Williams Brothers Neon Displays of Opportunity, Wash., reconditioning neon signs and painted office signs for Gilbert Insurance and W. Kenneth Jones, an attorney. Historically minded building owners are hoping to find some of his other artwork.

Marge Womach of Mohler reports for The Record on items of interest to Harrington residents.