History of The Thirsty Whale

February of 1902, Dick Hoover and his partner Hugh McMillin decided to erect a new boathouse on the west end of Milwaukee Street and conduct a boat livery the coming Spring Season. It will be the second livery in Minocqua.

In the Spring of 1905, McMillin was no longer a partner. Hoover married widow Karen Winger and it was called "Hoover and Winger Boat Livery." The business grew rapidly and they were soon operating a bar/restaurant along with the boathouse. There were additions made to the boathouse almost every year for the next 10 years. In 1909 two lumber barges were purchased and were converted into houseboats that were rented out as complete restaurants for fishing trips.

In October 1911 Richard Hoover was shot and killed by his stepson in self defense.

Thereafter Karen ran the business with her son Albert. After her death in 1921, Albert formed a partnership with his brother Edwin. Albert and Edwin sold the business to

Ralph Garrison in 1927 and he continued to run the engine and boat repair shop as

"Pleasant View Livery."

In 1930 Garrison sold the boat livery to Anton Bosacki and he renamed it "Town Dock Boathouse." It is unsure when Bosacki sold the place sometime in the 1930's. We believe John O'Leary bought the building and it sat empty for a few years.

During the mid 1940's the building was leased out to Curt Fleman who made rubber door mats there. Children would bring old tires down there and he would pay them a nickel a tire.

In 1950 the Bassetts bought the place and called it "Bassetts Marine Bar and Restaurant." Sometime in 1955. Joe and Ruth Ritchie brought out Bassetts and renamed the place "Joe's Marine Bar." Joe bartended and repaired boats and his wife

Ruth cooked in the restaurant. Their six children all pitched in with the daily chores from cleaning the place to bartending and waiting on customers.

Each year the bar/restaurant was opened up in May and closed down for the season in September. In 1957 Joe decided that the bar needed a gimmick and invented the

"Moscow Mule Bucket Club." When you drank a bucket you got to hang it on the ceiling and become a bucket club member. The bucket club was a huge success and upon selling the bar in 1970 they had members from all 50 states and 7 foreign countries. In 1965 Joe had again completely remodeled the bar and restaurant.

Joe and Ruth sold the bar to Norman and Donna Schooth and cousins Roger and Joan Springston. It was then that the name was changed to "The Thirsty Whale."

Norman and Donna's daughter and husband. Gary and Jan Speil ran the bar for them at first and not long after bought them out continuing to run the bussines until 1979. The Moscow Mule was replaced in the buckets with a drink they called the "Summer Hummer. " After contacting the Mohawk bottling company they were able to get them to bottle and distribute the mixture that they used for the "Summer Hummers." It is called Limon. It has been a popular item for the past 25 years for not only The Thirsty Whale but for many others who enjoy making it at other establishments and at home.

Roger and Vivian Carron were the next owners of "The Thirsty Whale" in 1979 and once again kept the locals and tourists entertained for 5 more years. Ed and Dolores Prohaska purchased the place from Roger in 1984. Their daughter and husband

Deanne and Jay Kidd ran the bar and restaurant for them. In 1999 Deanne and Jay bought the business. They both continue to run "The Thirsty Whale" along with their dedicated employees.

Imagine sitting on the deck over looking beautiful Lake Minocqua watching water ski show or snowmobiling in the winter right outside our door. Fun is had by all ages at this 100 year old landmark business. Come and enjoy the Northwoods, its good for your soul.