LASR.net Homepage




Menu

Belva's Real Estate Florence Visitors Center

Florence, Arizona

The earliest fired-brick building still standing in Florence and the town's second oldest brick structure, the second Nicholas Saloon and Beer Hall was built in 1889 for John Nicholas. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Nicholas was a French-born rancher, farmer, and saloon keeper who came to town in 1880 and opened his first Beer Hall about 1886. He then moved to this building in October 1889.

One of the few structures in the historic district to include a basement which may have been used to store liquor and keep it cool, the bar also boasted a steam-powered fan to cool patrons in the summer. The Sonoran roof was constructed of log beams spaced from about 20 to 40 inches apart, with saguaro cactus ribs laid continuously across the tops of the beams. The cactus ribs are covered with a layer of straw, followed by several layers of mud (and possibly horse manure depending on the mason) resulting in a floor to ceiling dimension between 12 and 14 feet. Therefore, unlike the Nicholas Residence, the Nicholas Building still has the mud and cactus ceiling. It also still has a wood floor.

Originally, there were three entrances, two on 11th Street and one on Bailey Street. The building has been used variously as a residential dwelling and rental, and currently as an office. Current owners are Paul and Diane Marchand and John and Laura Bolognino.

Attractions and Upcoming Events


Florence Historic District

As the fifth oldest town in the state of Arizona, downtown Florence has been designated an official "Historic District" with more building listed on the National Register

Florence, AZ Historic Districts


Pinal County Historical Museum

A flashback into Native American and Territorial Arizona history is your when you visit the museum. There are exhibits of 125 varieties of barbed wire, early doctor'

Florence, AZ Museums

Jesus Martinez House

In 1888, Florence staged her most famous gunfight between ex-sheriff, Pete Gabriel and his former deputy, Joe Phy. The shooting started in the Tunnel Saloon and ended in the middle of Main Street. Gabriel survived; Phy died a few hours later. Also surviving the showdown was a 6 x 4

Florence, AZ Historic Homes

Things to do near Florence, AZ

Sanctuary Golf Club

Course Access: PublicHoles: 18Reserve Advance Tee Times: Yes...

Tempe Town Lake

Tempe Town Lake, located adjacent to Downtown Tempe, provides a 2-mile recreational haven for kayaking, sailing, rowing, jogg...