Livingston's Exchange was first opened in 1853 as a first-class "gentleman's saloon." Today, after changing hands many times over the years, it is known as The Genoa Bar, Nevada's Oldest Thirst Parlor!
I was driving through the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains recently and decided to stop by and check out this historic establishment. Back in the era of "the old west" the saloon was a focal point in town where people gathered, for various reasons. I was surprised how small it was inside but given the era it was built I really shouldn’t have been. I chatted briefly with the bartender and she welcomed me to take any photos I wanted.
I read a little about the establishment’s history and found it to be pretty interesting. Apparently, several movies have been filmed here including westerns with John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. Also, over the years numerous musicians have stopped by including Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, and Johnny Cash, just to name a few.
I asked what their normal clientele is like today and the bartender said, “You never know who’s going to come in. We get our fair share of farmers, cowboys, tourists, and a few wackos!”
I’m sure the bartender categorized me as one of the latter two on her list, but I’m not sure which!