Friday, July 18, 2025
Courtesy Eskimo Joe’s A crowd gathers at Eskimo Joe’s in 1975, the year the Stillwater staple opened.
‘As fate would have it’
How Eskimo Joe’s has turned into a Stillwater staple
W
hat started as a random Sunday afternoon for Stan Clark quickly evolved into the most important 30 minutes of his life. “That little window of time determined the next 50 years, and hopefully many, many more,” Clark said.
BY KENZIE KRAICH
I
When Clark and his good friend Steve File walked into the little twostory building on Elm street back in 1975, they had no idea they would begin a legacy. But here we are, celebrating yet another anniversary of the Eskimo Joe’s brand.
have gone on, but the building that Clark walked into as a fresh college graduate is the same one that stands today — it can just fit a few more people and a lot more clothes. “I was just trying to open a place that would be a lot of fun,” Clark said. “Our formula was simple. Ice cold beer, and… we were going to play music.
A little bit of history Eskimo Joe’s has had a few additions and facelifts as the years
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF “Every other bar in ‘75… if people quit putting quarters (in the jukebox), the music stopped. So, that was part of our formula — we spun tunes all day every day.” In the fall of 1983, Clark had to find a way to adapt as the new drinking age was moved from 18 to 21. His solution? Food.
See FATE on page 3
Tips for road trips to keep summer safe surprises on the way. Plan the route before to familiarize yourself with the major highways, roads and stops. Summer is in full swing, and the Comparing the routes from different trip you planned months ago is finally softwares, such as using both Apple happening. Maps and Google Maps, will give you Unfortunately, packing your different options. suitcase isn’t enough to guarantee Checking the weather along the all goes as planned. Whether it’s a route can prepare you for rain or several-hour drive or a several-day severe weather. Plan a stop along adventure, the following tips will the way if needed to avoid any major ensure the whole crew arrives at the storms. To add more fun stops along vacation destination safely: the way, there are some websites (linked is a free version) that will Plan your route show sightseeing destinations along a Throwing a destination in the GPS given route. is the easiest way to get where you need to go, but this leaves room for See SAFETY on page 4 RAYNEE HOWELL
NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR
File Photo The O’Colly staff was on the ground at the 1993 street party and snagged this photo showing more than 37,000 attendees flooding the streets.
Eskimo Joe’s iconic street party returns RAYNEE HOWELL
NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR
A fresh-out-of-high-school Lance Graves found himself walking to Eskimo Joe’s anniversary street party from his girlfriend’s house down the street. It was 1993 — 18 years since the iconic bar opened its doors on Elm Avenue. The bar had grown fast in popularity, causing its anniversary party to spill out onto the streets after 10 years in business. It became
known as Eskimo Joe’s street party, and it came around every July. Graves was one of the estimated 37,500 attending the street party in 1993. It was his second year attending and his last for the next three decades. “The atmosphere was electric,” Graves said. “There were so many people. There were multiple stages with different bands in each of the parking lots.”
See PARTY on page 3
Courtesy Creative Commons Planning your route ahead of time can prevent any surprises along the way.