Built in 1897, what is now the Salt Dog Saloon was one of the first structures erected in Homer, Alaska. This legacy has helped to define the modern identity of the entire community, highlighting what it can mean for what might otherwise just be a local business to instead become something that directly and indirectly supports the culture and economy of an entire region.
A History that is Unmatched
As the only bar on the piece of land that juts out into Kachemak Bay in Homer, the Salty Dog Saloon originally served as the town’s first post office, a railroad station, a grocery store, and a coal mining office. As one of the first cabins built in Homer in 1897, it has a history that is unmatched, but that history would define how it became the Salty Dawg Saloon in 1957 as a new landmark for the region.
While the distinctive lighthouse tower has become one of Homer’s more historical and recognizable landmarks, it is merely the cover for a water storage tank that was added in the 1960s. Another distinctive feature of the modern landmark are the thousands of dollar bills signed by visitors and tacked to the walls. While the original dollar was intended for buying the friend a drink, the tradition started exploding in the early ‘90s, when tourism started to pick up.
All of this history has allowed the Salty Dog Tavern to become a local landmark that is featured on television and a much-recognized staple of Homer. As a further illustration of that impact, various shops and stores feature gifts and apparel that incorporate the iconic imagery of the establishment. These developments highlight how the Salty Dog Saloon has become an essential element of the community and culture that connects the past to the present for audiences of all types.
The Essence of Homer
Mentioned as one of Homer’s most historical and recognizable landmarks, the Salty Dog Saloon is covered with the untaken drinks of patrons and visitors. Grown and developed over decades, the establishment has built up relationships with different types of audiences to create an identity that captures the essence of Homer.
