O'Fallon Historical Society: Our Town, 13 April 2000

Mackin House

Our Town, 13 April 2000

One of the earliest saloons in O’Fallon was the Mackin House which stood at the southeast corner of Lincoln & First Streets and was opened in the early 1860’s by Irish immigrant Thomas Mackin. Tom Mackin married Catherine Linskey in Massachusetts in 1857 before coming to O’Fallon to work for the Ohio & Mississippi R.R. His son Joe, one of 11 children, was very active in St. Clair County politics and was for many years deputy County Clerk until his retirement at age 75 in 1950.

In Dec. 1899 Joe took over the running of Mackin House just in time for a “stranger” to walk into the establishment and pen this poetic salute which appeared in the Dec. 15, 1899 Progress.

“Who has not heard of Joe Mackin’s saloon?

Where you will find him still ready, night, morning and noon,

To serve all good fellows from far or from near,

With some excellent Whiskey, Gin, Brandy or Beer.

Here the weary may rest from this town or afar

And enjoy the delights of a fragrant cigar,

Enjoy every comfort and when day’s at an end,

Rest safe and secure in the house of a friend.

Here all drinks are served in such excellent styles

That ‘twill make you feel happy contented and smile;

Here the ‘Fountain of Gladness’ shall never run dry

So when sad or dejected just step in here and try.

Mackin treats all his customers kindly and well,

And sells all drinks, the best a saloon man can sell.

He desires your trade and invites one and all

To give Joe and his Bar-Room a neighborly call.”

Sounds like an advertisement and perhaps it was. Good poetry? Well, at least it rhymes! To the joy of some and dismay of others, taverns in O’Fallon then--much more so than today—were an important part of the social life of residents in our town.

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