by 
Globe’s Drift Inn Saloon
The Drift Inn Saloon is one of the oldest continuously open bars in Arizona. The saloon was founded in 1902 and is located in the historical district of Globe on the infamous Broad Street.
Broad Street was once filled with hard working miners and cowboys spending their money in the many saloons, gambling halls and cat houses that lined the street. The soiled doves were so prevalent that the area was called the “tender loin district” by newspapers. The building that houses the Drift Inn Saloon once had a 25 room bordello upstairs that the ladies of the evening used to entertain their customers and also lived in.
Globe’s Drift Inn Saloon
The building is said to be haunted and there are incidents that happened in the building that support the possibility of restless spirits roaming the saloon and the former brothel located above.
The original building was known as the International Lodging House. It was owned and built by Pasquale Nigro. In 1906, a miner named Ludwig was murdered in room #18. His death created a mystery which has not been solved to this day. Thirteen months later, another miner was found dead lying in bed in room #18. He had been drugged allegedly by a prostitute who robbed him. The Arizona Silverbelt newspaper reported some circumstances that were eerily tied to Ludwig’s murder.
In 1908, it was advertised that the International Lodging House was under new management. The manager was Miss Maggie Bozzelo. It charged transients 50¢ and $1 for daily room rentals. Monthly rentals were $12 or $20 with a bath. The lodge also had a saloon.
The building would change hands over the years. It would be known by a number of different names, the most notable the Owl, Blackie’s and the Broad Street Social Club.
Today the Drift Inn Saloon is a friendly place to stop, enjoy something to eat and grab a cold beer or whatever you like to drink. It is popular with locals as well as travelers out to enjoy the Globe area. When you enter the saloon you will see remnants of the old west from the wall paintings of the soiled doves to an old buffalo head mounted on the wall.
The Drift Inn Saloon has been named one of the top five biker destinations in Arizona by the Arizona Republic and Arizona Highways has named it one of the “Magnificent 7 saloons” in the state.
The Drift Inn Saloon is located at 636 N. Broad St. You can learn more about them on their website: www.driftinnsaloon.com or visit them on Facebook.
John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.
by by