Stacey’s Old Faithful
Where the West Lives On
Written by: Zoe Purcell
Looking for a place where Montana roots run deep? While gentrification threatens Montana’s Western lifestyle, a historical legacy remains. For nearly 90 years, Stacey’s Old Faithful has been offering an authentic taste of the West. If you head South on U.S. highway 191 and turn right, then bear the bumps of the dirt road, you will arrive at Stacey’s Old Faithful Bar and Steakhouse. The bar is living history, with walls lined with photos of rodeo stars, dim lights over the pool table, and a wooden bar with carved arches as the room’s centerpiece.
Filled with leather, wood, and conversation, it feels like a step back in time.
Stacey’s originally opened as a bar in the 1930s when May Ping Sellards, a local philanthropist and businesswoman, bought the property in a freshly out-of-prohibition, western, American town, but its roots go back even further than that. Originally built in 1910, the building housed the Salesville State Bank. The bank closed in 1929, and the building was turned into a butcher shop until Sellards took over and opened the Old Faithful Bar in 1937. At that point in time, the bar housed an upstairs brothel that is an infamous, wonderful exhibition of the 20th century.
Today, an upstairs office occupies the former brothel space.
In 1963, Stacey Crosby bought the bar and has kept it in the family ever since. Throughout the years, amidst additions such as the steakhouse and a new dance hall, they have managed to keep the western spirit alive as Stacey’s has remained a timeless demonstration of the West’s history.
In the early 2000s, one of Stacey’s newest additions was the steakhouse that features classic, hearty Montana menu items. Half of the building still serves as the bar, and on the other side of a wooden door lies the steakhouse. The steakhouse is situated in the most historically rich part of the building as Peyton Arledge, a manager who has been working at Stacey’s for about a year, explains, “the bar is new, but the dining room has remained untouched.”
Stacey’s has expanded to take ownership of a next-door dance hall called the Westerner. While Stacey’s has always had live music, the Westerner offers a bigger space for good dancing, and an even better time.
“You want to give people room to dance, so we created a venue next door that allows that to happen!”
Arledge explained, adding that they host Swing Dance lessons every Wednesday. Western history is incomplete without the mention of western music and dancing.
Located on Montana’s rodeo circuit, Stacey’s is often a stop that attracts traveling athletes and bull riders.
Stacey’s has always supported the rodeo community, Arledge explains, “An old owner, Toni, donated to the rodeo, but we wanted to continue that. We want to support the Montana State University (MSU) Rodeo team and other rodeos around the city.” Stacey’s is a special a spot for the MSU rodeo and has been for years, “I’ve had so many MSU alumni, especially that were part of the rodeo come out in recent years, I mean, it’s a staple, it’s just that nostalgia for them and they want to show off their old stomping grounds,” Martin said.
The walls of the bar show Stacey’s long-standing history with Montana’s rodeo scene as they are lined with rodeo stars from over the years. Each person in the pictures tells a different story of who Montanans are, and those in the bar carry on that legacy. “There’s historical pictures of bull riding and old rodeo stars — I mean, it’s everywhere — and that’s how we want to keep it,” Arledge added. The rodeo is a historically important part of Montana’s history that Stacey’s is carrying on.
The regulars of Stacey’s are the ones who keep the history alive, sharing stories of the past, while creating new stories for the years to come. Martin spoke about some of their regulars, “You have the 73-year- old cowboy sitting at the bar and drinking his Coors Original and he’s lived here his entire life, and he shows up every day at 2:55 [p.m.].” It’s these people that maintain the lively atmosphere and culture of Stacey’s throughout the years, and they have amazing stories to tell. Martin shared a story a regular told her from a while back, “There was this one night where they stayed past closing and the Sheriff drove around, and everybody hit the floor and then once they’d see the headlights gone they could get up and keep drinking.” These stories captured by regulars ensure that Stacey’s rich history lives on. “You know, our owner is a fifth generation Montanan, and bars like this are important to him, and it’s important that it’s not changed because again, it’s part of the local history,” Martin said.
Amongst the new, hip, and modern boutiques, eateries, and coffee houses, Stacey’s stands out as a place that is authentically Montana, a place that highlights the historical significance of a great western bar. As the owners said:
“Stacey’s is where the West is still the West,”
and sees no intention in changing. Arledge added “Our culture has always been very family friendly, and we love our locals and don’t want to change. That’s the whole reason we love Stacey’s.”
Stacey’s keeps the West alive through hearty food, honest pours, a good time, and music that makes you want to get up and dance — celebrating the 73-year- old local who comes for a drink despite his long day.
Stacey’s stands to be one of the last best places in the “Last Best Place”.
Walking into the bar feels like stepping back into time. In stark contrast to many newer restaurants nearby, Stacey’s maintains all the qualities to be named a “Western Gem”. Kari Martin, the current general manager of Stacey’s, spoke to the bar’s rich character saying, “Stacey’s is the quintessential Montana bar. It’s off the beaten path, and a little gruff at times, but still welcoming, you know?” From the cowboy-booted, big-buckled, jean-wearing regulars and staff to the original dining room, and wooden bar, Stacey’s provides so many aspects of what it has looked like to live in Montana for years past, being a historical landmark that can tell the story of Montana and its people.