Those who haven’t been to the Silver Saddle bar in Basin for a while might not recognize the place. For the past month, Josh Cragen, his brother Luke Cragen and nephew Joey Cragen, Jessie Wing, Brian Carver and others collaborated to give the establishment a complete makeover, including a new bar, new paint job, putting the poker and keno machines in the back for more of a casino atmosphere, a bar foot rail welded out of ore car by Cody Oliver, and much more.
These upgrades were a long time coming, said Silver Saddle owner Gail Hale, and she’s grateful for all the help and support she received to make it happen.
“If [Hale] wasn’t so wonderful the whole community wouldn’t be helping her,” said Silver Saddle bartender Lettie Smith, who also helped with the remodel. “It was her and her husband’s dream to do this, and when he passed away that dream died. But we knew she wanted it done, so we got it done.”
Hale’s husband, Alan, died in 2016 at the age of 63. Smith said he is “smiling down,” celebrating this remarkable renovation.
Hale said she appreciates everyone’s hard work making the bar look so pretty. Others involved in the efforts were Rodney Warnstrom, Logan Keale, Bill Bullock, Silver Saddle bartender Mike McCormick and other members of the cafe staff. Hale also thanked the customers, as she couldn’t have done this without them.
