Plains residents Dan and Pat Johnson were looking for a good way for friends and family to “come over, relax” and forget about everything that’s going on these days.
By founding the Wagon Wheel Saloon, they found a way to do just that and express their love for the Wild West way of life.
The “saloon,” which is not a bar and does not sell alcohol, was born out of this love and admiration for 19th century life. Armed with a collection of Wild West memorabilia, they set about transforming the covered porch in their backyard into a realistic-looking Wild West saloon, complete with swinging doors to the bar and a faux “desperado” depicted Wild West-style in a coffin next to the porch.
“We wanted a place where friends and family could come together and escape the stresses of everyday life and have a good time,” Johnson said. “One day I was sitting here drinking a cold beer and we came up with the idea of turning the porch into a piece of the Old West.”
Pat explained that the two were big fans of the Wild West and also enjoyed watching Western films.
“We were hoping to create a little bit of ‘Gunsmoke’ in our backyard,” she said, referring to the long-running television series.
As she spoke, her Boston Terrier, whom they named “Festus” in honor of the character from Gunsmoke, drew attention to himself.
For the past 12 months they have been working to create a realistic recreation of an old western saloon, including an old style poker table, a century old wood stove and red long johns hanging on a clothesline with some clothes from the dance hall. There is also an old foot pedal operated grindstone that a pioneer carried years ago on his journey to new lands in the west.
“I’ve had this stove for over 50 years,” Pat said. “We can be out here in colder weather and it keeps us warm. This has become our little piece of the Wild West.”
A few functional old style wooden outbuildings and a custom made wooden bar will be delivered. An old wooden barrel with tap will serve cold beer once the bar is installed.
In front of the bar, a Wyatt Earp-style “desperado” is displayed in a coffin, similar to the final pose often used by outlaws in the Wild West.
“We were obviously fascinated by the Wild West way of life,” Pat said. “I’ve been involved with Westerns all my life, including when I lived in Washington and was a member of a mounted sheriff’s force.”
Dan is a retired aircraft mechanic who built the octagonal poker table with green felt on top. The couple plans to work on more decorating in the coming months.
“We see this as a place where our friends and family can come together and have a good time,” Dan said. “People need a place to come together and relax.”
The Johnsons said that several cars that drove by their house and noticed the Wagon Wheel Saloon couldn’t help but stop, smile and even laugh as they looked at the display.
“We’re happy to have something that makes people happy,” Dan said. “This world could use it.”
The attention to detail is limitless. A western-style toy gun dangles from a holster under the poker table.
“There’s no cheating here,” Dan said, laughing.
It is, as the couple had hoped, an escape into the past that brings a smile to their faces.
A desperado in his final pose in a coffin outside the backyard saloon built by Dan and Pat Johnson. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
The Wagon Wheel Saloon, formerly the back porch of the Johnson family in Plains. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
Pat Johnson with a 19th century grinding wheel on display in the Wagon Wheel Saloon. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
What saloon would be complete without an old saddle? (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI) What saloon would be complete without an old saddle? (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)