History
Winter -- 1895 on what is now Donner Pass Rd.
O.B.'s - Rich in California History
Welcome to OB's Pub and Restaurant and to a part of Truckee's California heritage. The Truckee community began in 1863 while the United States was embroiled in a bitter Civil War. The High Sierra settlement grew rapidly with the arrival of the railroad and soon became a thriving center for both the lumber and ice industries. During these tumultuous years, Truckee was “Boom Town” teeming with pioneers, gamblers and fortune hunters. It also harbored a busy “red-light” district and a Chinese population of more than 2,000.
During the Boom years, Truckee was plagued by a series of devastating fires, causing the portions of the town to be rebuilt several times.
The OB’s building has graced downtown Commercial Row for more than a century, and like many of the adjacent structures has housed several businesses through the decades.
At the turn of the Century, this was McDougald’s Fountain Bar – a place were a man could hang his hat, get a drink and engage in a “friendly” game of cards. However, sometimes the games weren’t so friendly. Such as the night Bill McDougald, the proprietor, cheated fellow businessman Jim Doyle out of a large sum of money. Doyle was so incensed he shot the saloon keeper in front of the post office (now the Tourist Club). Doyle was brought to justice in front of Judge McGlashan, but his case was dismissed on grounds of “justifiable homicide”.
Things got a bit tamer in the 1940’s, as the OB’s building served as a wholesale and retail bakery through the decade.
In the 1950’s the Wilkie Grocery occupied the area of the present-day Pub. After a number of short-lived businesses, Al and Zina O’Brien opened up OB’s Board in 1970.
The present owner, Dick Howell took over OB’s in 1980. Today it is still a place to hang your hat, enjoy a drink and hearty meal.
Sorry, but the games of
chance have moved to Nevada! Many of the artifacts on the walls are
mementos from local ranchers and loyal “old timers” that serve as subtle
reminders of a colorful and sometimes rowdy past. 