Historic Dayton Saloon to Become More Accessible with $50,000 Travel Nevada Grant
Table of Contents
A $50,000 grant from Travel Nevada will fund the installation of a wheelchair lift at the historic Odeon Saloon in Dayton, Nevada, ensuring the beloved community space is accessible to all. The funding, announced on January 14, is part of Travel Nevada’s Special Projects initiative, designed to modernize historic locations without compromising their character.
Preserving History, Expanding Access
The Odeon Saloon, built in 1863, is Dayton’s oldest facility and is officially recognized as a historic building by the State Historic Preservation Office. The saloon’s owners, Chris and Svetlana Pattison, have been actively restoring the building to its original western décor since acquiring the business. They recognized the need to improve accessibility to the upper level, which frequently hosts community events.
“We do a lot of community events upstairs, a lot of things that we don’t charge the community for, and we want to make it accessible for everybody,” a saloon representative stated. “And with this chair being installed, thanks to Travel Nevada, this is going to do just that.”
Careful Planning Ensures Historic Integrity
The project team carefully considered various options for improving accessibility. An exterior lift was initially explored, but ultimately deemed unsuitable due to the potential to alter the building’s historic appearance and increased cost. The chosen solution – an interior chair lift – will avoid any modifications to the building’s exterior.
“Everything historical is going to stay historically accurate,” a representative assured. “Nothing has changed.” Project partner Josh Thieriot, of Javelin Ventures LLC, emphasized the importance of a discreet installation. “It’s fortunate that we were able to figure out a way to do it inside, which still provides room for foot traffic when it’s not being used, and it shouldn’t be too much of a visual impairment,” he said. “We wanted to make sure it was clean.”
A Community Hub Welcomes All
Since hosting a pre-grand opening celebration in July, the Pattisons, along with managers Jennifer Reed and Spencer Davidson, have established the Odeon Saloon as a vibrant hub for local nonprofits, including the Misfits, the Historical Society of Dayton Valley, and the Dayton Chamber of Commerce. The new lift will allow these organizations, and all members of the community, to fully participate in events held on the saloon’s second story.
The project is expected to be completed in the spring, and the owners are enthusiastic about the positive impact it will have. “It’s going to be exciting to accommodate anybody with any needs,” a representative said. “It’ll be good to see the Odeon alive again and full of energy.”
