Much of the history of the Round House is based on legend and word-of-mouth accounts handed down from generation-to-generation. Teri Winchester manager of the
Round House Bar for more than twenty years, gives the following account of the Round House History.
The Round House opened for business as the Columbia Restaurant
in June of 1873 according to an article found in the Sandusky Register dated May 15th 1873. One story about the actual construction of the building has it being built in Toledo, Ohio by a Cincinnati Brewing Co.,
Originally the building was white and the front porch had steps with no railing stretching across the entire front of the building. At one point in time, photographs show circular steps leading up to the Round House. Back in 1944, the Greunkes who had purchased the Round House for $11,000 had the circular bar built in Toledo. Mrs. Gruenke was a pianist that entertained in the Round House but did not like playing "In the round" with her back to the audience. Hence the reason the bar
is now located where it is today. They simply cut the bar in half and moved it to its present location. The Greunkes are also responsible for the addition of the canopy. They gave two reasons for this addition; to catch the falling plaster from the walls and ceiling and to improve the over all acoustics of the room. The canopy itself is held in place by a wooden bicycle wheel, which is still used today.
Back when the Columbia Restaurant was first built it served refreshments including, beer, wine and food. However, the real treat back in those days was Ice cream and cottage cheese. There was no electricity, so the ice had to be cut during the winter months and stored in the icehouse allowing for this summer time favorite. Banners for the ice cream stretched from the Round House across the street to the park.
No one is sure how the bar was renamed the round house. However, according to legend, one of the early owners was "Round House" Smith, hence the name. Or because the bar was round, he was named Round House Smith.
An 1888 article names one of the first owners Schmidt and Smith in the same paragraph.
It is possible that Round House Smith was (G.F.) George F. Schmidt, and early owner of the round house and who built the park Hotel fifteen years later. The Park Hotel was first called the Park (Deutches) Hotel.
The McCann family purchased the Round House in the early 1950's and painted it the now famous red. The entire building is wood constructed and for the most part, all original (the interior floor and porch floor have been replaced). The plastered walls have always been a part of the building, and are now adorned by Canoe Bob's murals, With Canoe Bob's passing, Teri said they would like to preserve the murals s along as possible.
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