The first saloon opened in Chico in December, 1860 by Monty and Bucklee. We may fairly estimate the growth of Chico when we see that a new saloon has been demanded each year. On Second street we find the Pony, near the depot the Railroad saloon, and at the lower end of town are the Junction saloon and the Chico Brewery. On Broadway we find the Modoc Eldorado, Free and Easy, and the saloons of Kunz and Lightner. On Main street are the Norfolk, Alhambra, Pacific Exchange, Fredericksburg and the saloons of Munloch and Stapp. In addition to the saloons each hotel has a bar, thus making nineteen places in Chico where liquors are retailed.

Basically, as soon as John Bidwell opened up the land on the south side of Chico Creek for development, saloons sprung up. “A new saloon demanded each year.” No wonder the W.T.C.U. was so active, with all those saloons to combat.

There’s a Thomas Buckley, age 27, in Kimshew Township in the 1860 census — he is listed as a saloon keeper. D.C. Monty is in Chico the same year, occupation bar keeper, age 30. Looks like a couple of buddies got together to open the first saloon in Chico.

The saloon was a social center for working men, a place to hang out with friends, have a drink and a bite to eat, and play a game of billiards. Some saloons, like the Humboldt Saloon on Main Street, offered baths and barbering. Here are ads for the Pony Saloon and the Eldorado, and a few other establishments in Chico of the 1860s and 1870s.