Fifty-Four years ago this year, it was 1961 and I and my partner Jim Chimibidis were putting the finishing touches on the new lounge we were opening on Delaware Avenue across the street from the former City Hall. The name of the lounge was The Red Llama.
This was the first bar in all of North Iowa and Southern Minnesota that featured wall to wall carpeting, flocked wallpaper, imported brass lamps from India, no jukebox… we played our own music from behind the bar. No beer signs inside or out. More importantly – no discrimination. Our doors were open to every person during a time in the history of this city when African Americans were not served in the majority of such establishments.
One day I decided to set out on foot to call on those offices that were required to sign our “beer permit application.” They were the Sheriff, the Chief of Police, the County Attorney, the City Attorney and the Fire Chief. Five signatures in all. Stanly McClintock was then the Chief of Police, and I stood in front of his desk in the old police station on Washington Avenue. I was 27 years old waiting for him to speak; and these were his exact words: “I’m not going to sign any permit for a Greek wearing a beard.” Jim Chimbidis was Greek and he had a beard. I calmly reached for the application papers, turned around and left.
On that day I could only obtain 3 signatures, I cannot recall who the other official were that refused to sign but the City Council voted to issue the permit with only three signatures. I have been in business in this city for over 60 years and during that time a lot of things have changed… but not everything.
Peter Children, Mason City
Peter I love reading your stories of Mason City.
Times have changed. Unfortunately a big portion of the black people in Mason City now are thugs and drug dealers. Not the families that grew up here, but the people that have moved here for the sole purpose of peddling drugs.
Good article Peter. Bravo. Times have certainly changed and I must say for the better in some ways and worse in others.
I agree as with all things in life
@Reggie-That is true. Hard to swallow sometimes but it is the way of life.
Good article Peter. However, I was 17 years old and just starting the bar scene and do not remember anyone turning away anyone. There were very few blacks but a lot of Mexicans in town back then. There was also a number of Greek families and I worked for a few as I got a little older. My brother in laws were cooks for the Town House and when I was 21 I was a bouncer at the old Holiday Lounge in Clear Lake and at the Troica. (not sure of the spelling). I had my share of problems with the KKK but that is a different story for a different time.
I have vivid memories of those years. This town was every bit as racist as the south. Blacks could not rent hotel rooms, sit on the main floor of theaters go into barber shops….or beauty shops. They were denied entrance in all but a few taverns. They were welcome at The Red Llama because these people were our neighbors.
Strange that I never heard or saw any of that. I grew up during that period and there were very few blacks (Around four families) and they were pretty much treated like anyone else. Now, the Greeks might have been against them as it was pretty well known if you were not a Greek they wanted nothing to do with you. They tolerated people that worked for them as they needed them. I used to make a Sunday run to Minnesota for a Greek family. We brought back cases of whiskey to be used in the private club in their basement.
LVS…..I grew up on South Tyler next to plant three of the brick yards. There a lot more than 4 black families living in Mason City in the 40’s. I would put thst number closer to between 3 to 4 hundred….maybe more. I think I personally knew 95% of those families. This was a vastly different time then as it is now; the community that has evolved into what you see now is unrecognizable to me.
It’s true we dealt with the likes of chief Mc Clintlock and other of his ilk…..but the hypocrisy of today is difficult to swallow. If only the people would vote….you’d quickly see a much better community.
Peter-By the time I was growing up the brickyards were close and I was swimming in the pits. When I was in school in the 50’s there were only about four family’s and we treated them just like anyone else.
Good article. Now this is the Pete Children that inspires me.
But Mr. Children, why didn’t you riot, loot and burn other peoples property. Just Kidding, I know why. I remember your place, and yes, some things will never change. Who would have ever thought that of Stan…
Stanly was a class A bigot.
I got that from Mr. Children’s post, and I was being facetious, but maybe you knew him…
I have never seen this before, could I get an explanation on the bold print.