College Inn Bar, bar in Douglas, Wyoming established 1906

The College Inn Bar is a historic commercial building in Douglas, Wyoming, constructed in 1906 and still operating today. The two-story brick structure features an original bar imported from Chicago with decorative mirrors, mounted wildlife displays, and formerly housed guest rooms on the upper floor along with a lounge area containing painted wall details.

The College Inn Bar was founded in 1906 by Theodore Pringle and remains the oldest business still operating in its original location in Douglas and the county. The building was constructed with innovative internal steel reinforcement and cables, making it an early example of durable commercial construction, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

The bar's name comes from its position opposite a college that once stood across the street, and the room keeps its 1906 Brunswick-Balke-Collender back bar of marble and wood. The mirrors were painted with Western scenes in 1953, and two mounted golden eagles sit above the arched stained-glass transom screen. The lounge still has its call buttons and painted murals, though the ten curtained booths were removed during Prohibition.

The College Inn Bar is straightforward to access, located in downtown Douglas and easily walkable from surrounding areas. Visitors should keep in mind that the historic nature of the building means the interior features old structures and materials that shape the experience.

The building was among the first to use internal steel reinforcement with cables, an innovative construction technique of that era. This early application of steel bracing helped the structure remain durable throughout more than a century.