Ruski's Tavern, 1986

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Creator

Collection

Portland Press Herald Still-Film Negatives Collection

Document Type

Still Image

Call number of Original

EX 15 FEB 1986

Contributing Institution

Portland Public Library Special Collections & Archives

Location

Portland, Cumberland, Maine, USA

Creation Date

2-15-1986

Format of Original

35mm gelatin silver negative

Description

Views of Ruski's Tavern, 212 Danforth Street, at the southeast corner of Danforth Street and Clark Street. The longstanding West End pub has been known as Ruski's since 1981 (the name was coined for owner Robert Russo by subsequent owner Frank Navarro: "brewskis at Ruski's")

From 1974-1980, the tavern was named the Beacon II.
From 1945-1974, the tavern was named the White Eagle Café.
From 1937-1944, the tavern was named Slane's Café.
212 Danforth Street was home to several businesses, such as Spiller's Bakery, in the 1930s, and Hynes Dry Goods in the 1920s (during Prohibition).
Dating back through the 1890s (to circa1920), the building was home to Fickett and Thompson Apothecary.

Left photo: Rose Galley (later, Harris) and Steven Harris, owners of Ruski's beginning in 1985. They had purchased the tavern from Frank Navarro. Rose Harris is the namesake of Rosie's Restaurant and Pub (330 Fore Street).
Photo published in the Evening Express, on 15 February 1986.

Right photo: Full exterior view of Ruski's Tavern, from west. Clark Street visible at left.
Photo taken by A. Schechter, on 10 January 2021.

Recommended Citation

"Ruski's Tavern, 1986" (1986). Businesses & Buildings - Portland Press Herald Still Film Negatives. 561.
https://digitalcommons.portlandlibrary.com/pphnegs_images_business/561