If These Walls Could Talk!

The Bank Tavern is a historic building that sits in what is known as “The Corners” in Smith River, California. Right in the middle of Brookings, Oregon and Crescent City, California on the coast.

The building is rich with history, built in 1903 originally as a Bank of America, this building has seen some things! Rumors of a good ol’ western bank shoot out, later reimagined as a cafe, an ice cream shoppe, laundromat and in 1988 it began as the bar we lovingly know now as The Bank Tavern. The land the tavern sits on was once the town’s black smith shop, owned by Trimble and Hanes.

With it’s rich history, it would be rude to not mention the spooky side of The Bank. The spirits that you enjoy after a long day at The Bank are apparently not the only type of spirits within these old brick walls.

There are reports of bottles moving and hearing the clanking of glasses after the the tavern has closed for the night. Patrons see apparitions through the corner of their eyes and in the upstairs window. Sometimes the ghost’s footfalls can be heard roaming about.

If you play a game of pool at this cozy bar and you might be in for a ghostly surprise. Witnesses have seen the pool sticks move about on their own! Perhaps it’s our old pal Don still coming to play a game or two.

In May of 2017, The Bank faced a very scary threat. Smith River woke up to a giant blaze that ripped through some of the oldest standing buildings in town across the street from The Bank, including the old Brooking Hotel and the general store.

The flames were so enormous that a corner of The Bank's building caught on fire, but luckily it was able to be put out in time before the whole building went up (thank you fire fighters!!). Our neighbor, Alta's Burger Bar, was also destroyed in the fire, but has since then rebuilt and is serving up your favorite breakfasts and burgers once again.

We are very fortunate that The Bank survived this devastating day and will be your local hangout once again.

Cheers, friends!