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Building History

The Blue Moon, located one mile from the gates of the University of Washington, was the nearest location in which students could purchase alcohol in 1934. Hank Reverman (1912-2009) (and a partner, Monty Fairchild,) founded the bar on and about 04/15/1934, a little over four months after the repeal of Prohibition on 12/05/1933. Historian Walt Crowley (1947-2007) wrote in his well-known HistoryLink.org article, published on April Fool's Day, 1999: "Shortly after the repeal of state and federal laws prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages, Henry J. Reverman took his college trust fund and invested to create a new tavern in the shell of a former garage near the corner of 8th Avenue NE and NE 45th Street. Reverman and his partner, Monty Fairchild, dubbed it the "Blue Moon" after purchasing a large neon sign from the nearby Blue Moon Cafe. They opened for business in mid-April 1934." (See Walt Crowley, HistoryLink.org, "Blue Moon Tavern: An Unofficial Cultural Landmark," published 04/01/1999, accessed 04/12/2021.)

Fairchild sold out early on to establish his own drinking spot, the Rainbow Tavern. Maude Walsh (1906-1968) and Vera McCracken bought out Reverman just before World War II, in 1940. Brothers Jim and Jack David were the next to own the Blue Moon, buying it in 1950; Jim sold his half to his brother in 1959. Seven years later, Jack divested himself of the property, selling to Stanford Poll (1940-2000) and a partner, Paul Chilton, in 1966.

By 1970, local restaurant owner Jerry Kingen bought the bar, and hoped to add some unwanted class to the place. Failing, he sold the tavern to an employee, bartender Edward McWhinnie, known by the unsavory moniker, "Fast Eddy." A group composed of Gustav Hellthaler, Robert Morrison, Jr., (1948-2008), and John Caldbick, Three Fools, Incorporated, acquired the business in 1982. By this time, Chilton became the property's sole owner; he sold the building and the land to a development company, Westlake Capital. Westlake sought to erect the usual six-story, condo/retail, mixed-use building, a Seattle favorite building type, to replace the tavern. A popular outcry ensued, as supporters tried to convince the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board that the bar was worthy of local landmark protection. It was not designated, but Westlake saw the large amount of public support aroused and realized that razing the spot would not be good publicity.

The bar resumed talks with ownership in 1990 and, this time, obtained a lease running past its centennial in 2034. (See "Blue Moon Tavern: An Unofficial Cultural Landmark," accessed 07-16-2012.)

Building Notes

In 2012, the Blue Moon building and its land had a value of $1,078,700.

Tel: 206.633.6267 (2009).

Alteration

Alterations last occurred in 1990.

Demolition

Demolition of the Blue Moon Tavern was threatened in 1989.