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Look Back: From park to beer pump, Fries livens up Parkersburg

Historical newspaper excerpts from the Wood County Historical Society

By Bob Enoch 3 min read
Photo Provided The circa 1890s photo above shows the saloon of G.L. “Gus” Fries. Fries, in white, is shown standing in the doorway. The window on the left identifies a “Ladies Room,” perhaps meaning that it was not proper for “ladies” to patronize the saloon. It was located at 404 Market St. Though considered private, the park he built on a portion of Fort Boreman Hill, overlooking Marrtown, in 1892, hosted many affairs that were open to the public, such as dances, musical concerts and even an infamous boxing match. The only thing left of the park today is a large cistern.

Gusty Fries has a force of men at work making a road to his summer resort on the South Side. He will soon have the place in readiness for business.

The Parkersburg Sentinel

April 26, 1892

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A resort

Gust. Fries' resort across the river will be opened to the public next Sunday, and every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday thereafter. It is a delightful cool resort and no doubt will be crowded every opening day. Mr. Fries has arranged for music, and in every respect will look to the comfort and enjoyment of his guests. Smith's transfer will carry persons over for 10 cents, or round trip for 15 cents. If you want to get away from the heat of the city, visit Fries resort and breathe the pure country air.

The Parkersburg Daily State Journal

July 2, 1892

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Delightful time at Fries Park

A party of young folks had a most delightful picnic at Fries' Park on Fort Boreman yesterday. They and their chaperones were greatly pleased with the new park and say that it is admirably adapted to picnic and dancing purposes.

Excerpt from the Parkersburg Daily State Journal

July 2, 1892

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A few improvements

"Gustie" Fries, the Third Street dispenser of stimulating liquids believes in keeping up the procession of progress and as that procession is moving along very rapidly hereabouts, Gustie don't mean to be left at the tail end.

The cause of the above paragraph is this. Mr. Fries has recently put into his place of business a beer pump, a machine that cost him, set up, several hundred dollars. It is a modern device for keeping the amber fluid in the best possible condition. It relegates the traditional beer chest, doing away with it entirely. In keeping with this expenditure, Mr. Fries has papered and painted the interior of his bar, purchased a new stock, and will be found right in at the head of the procession. His enterprise is to be congratulated.

"Daddy" Rockenstein feels the importance of the changes and has a broad grin on his Emperor William countenance when he says, "vas it vus, poys?"

The Parkersburg Daily State Journal

Jan. 20, 1897

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There is joy in the pretty country home of Gust. L. Fries and the cause of it is a wee small boy who arrived Sunday about noon. He is a sound and hearty chap and his papa proudly proclaims to his friends that the new arrival weighs fourteen pounds. Both mother and child are getting along nicely.

The Parkersburg Daily State Journal

July 9, 1900

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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical Society. Would you like to help preserve our past for future generations? The society offers informative monthly meetings and an interesting, 20-page quarterly newsletter. Dues are just $20/year. Send to: WCHPS, P.O. Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.

Starting at /week.