Transforming a quiet old-town street

DAYTON - Joe France and Bonnie Stryker chose to open their bar and Victorian restaurant 10 years ago in this historic town because they found an affordable location on a quiet, Old West-style street.

"Bonnie and I saw the potential in the old building," said France, co-owner of the Gold Canyon Steakhouse. "We both liked restoring old buildings. We thought we could do it."

With 10 years and a $300,000 renovation effort almost behind them (they plan on finishing the bathrooms this year), the steakhouse is one of the oldest re-invigorated businesses on Main Street in downtown Dayton, which has a mix of open store fronts and dark windows.

But their quiet street is buzzing with impending activity.

A Comstock Historic District official said three other historic buildings on the street are in the process of restoration.

"The Fox Hotel was recently purchased and it's in the beginning stages of renovation," said Bert Bedeau, Comstock Historic District administrator. "The owners of the Old Corner Bar have been renovating it. And then the county purchased the old Carson & Colorado Depot on Main Street."

The county plans to use the depot for a visitors' center and museum. This effort has not yet begun.

Renovation of the Old Corner Bar started in late December. Building owners Jerry Massad, who owns the Cracker Box in Carson City, and Jackie Behan, purchased the building for $254,000 in October 2005.

It will take nearly $1 million to turn 30 Pike St. into a bar and restaurant, said Massad. The only thing they are leaving in place are the floor joices, walls and ceiling. They'll add on 1,000-square-feet to the kitchen. They plan to open the as-yet-unnamed restaurant, which is on the corner of Pike and Main streets, by June.

"We wanted to be part of old town Dayton," Massad said. "We wanted to help with its reclamation. We thought there was a need."

France and Stryker purchased 160 Main St. for $160,000 in November 1996 and have steadily poured themselves into the business. France is especially proud of a portrait hanging in the main dining room. It shows infamous prostitute Julia Bulette adjusting her garter belt with a Derringer pistol on the night stand beside her.

"Our crowd is those aged over 40, people who appreciate old-style Nevada," France said. "There are a lot of restaurants out there, but not all are like this."

The exact age of the building, or the first bar/restaurant to occupy it, is a little unclear. The decorative glass sign above the bar says it was established in 1887. Dates can get a hazy in these old towns.

Ray Walmsley, whose family has lived in Dayton since 1859, believes the steakhouse building was originally constructed in 1885. He sat on the Comstock Historic District board for almost six years.

"My grandfather Andrew Walmsley built it. It used to be called the Europa Bar," he said. "It was moved from its original site around 1900."

Walmsley, 81, says the building was moved half a block from its original location at Pike and Main streets and has been used as a bar through the years.

Today, this renovated Western bar may be the start of a growing trend on Main Street.

• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.