“If you want to eat go to a restaurant. If you want to drink go to a saloon, and if you want a good drink of the best beer on the market go to the Pantheon. No silver mugs (glass is good enough for a thirsty man), no clam chowder. In fact no Chinese hash house in ours.”
“Just plain Enterprise beer. No first awards or medals needed. If you got one glass you want two and you don’t care whether you drink it out of a silver mug or a pail. The quantity of Enterprise beer consumed in Honolulu equals that of all other beers combined. Call at the Pantheon. James Dodd, Prop.” (Evening Bulletin, October 8, 1896)
Dodd opened the Pantheon in 1878 … ”Mr. James Dodd has leased the premises known as the Bartlett House, at the corner of Hotel and Fort streets, to be called hereafter the Pantheon Hotel.”
“The premises have been renovated, repaired, painted and papered throughout, making them look almost as good as new. Mr Dodd has had experience in the hotel business, and from his urbanity of manner and good business habits we doubt not but the new place will be well kept.”
“He intends to have, in connection with the hotel, a finely arranged livery stable with a full complement of carriages and saddle horse for the accommodation of the public.”
“This latter arrangement will be a great convenience, and we hope Mr. D. will be well supported in both undertakings.” (Hawaiian Gazette, October 30, 1878) (An associated advertisement in the same paper noted, “The best ales, wines and liquors constantly on hand.”)
He later replaced the building … “The old Pantheon building that has stood on the corner of Fort and Hotel streets for so many years is a thing of the past.”
“Mr. James Dodd has caused it to be torn down, and on its site he intends erecting a building with a fifty feet front on each street.”
“The new building will be one story in height with a seventeen foot ceiling, and will be opened as a billiard and bar room when completed.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, March 24, 1883) “Mr James Dodd’s Pantheon Saloon is nearly finished building. It is very handsomely designed.” (Daily Bulletin, May 23, 1883)
Then, “Disastrous Conflagration. Last Tuesday night witnessed one of the most disastrous fires that has ever occurred in this city. … In a few moments, … at 12:35 am, the bells pealed forth their alarm, but several minutes elapsed before the engines were started on their way to the fire.”
“Engine No. 1 was manned by only Jim Ward and 3 or 4 boys until Mr. Evans assisted, and although there were from 20 to 30 men running alongside of the engine, on the sidewalk, scarcely any of them could be prevailed upon to assist in dragging the engine, which unnecessarily delayed its arrival at the fire. …”
“By the time the first alarm was sounded from the Bell Tower, Mr. J. B. Warner watchman at Dodd’s Stables assisted by Joe Wiseman and Jim Sherwood, had connected the 2-inch private hose, belonging to the Pantheon Stables, with their water pipe …”
“… and mounting a ladder entered the second floor of Fishel’s building and played on the fire for nearly twenty minutes before any of the engines could get a stream of water on the building.”
“This doubtless saved Dodd’s Stables from catching fire by keeping the fire from making rapid headway until the engines got fairly to work, as It was not until 12:58 am – 23 minutes after – the first stream of water was started. …”
“It was only after frequent attempts, during which several bystanders were thoroughly drenched with water, that they finally succeeded in getting ready for operations …”
“… and their first performance was to play from their station opposite the Parisian restaurant on Hotel street, over the rear of Dodd’s stables and Pantheon saloon, drenching many of the lookers-on of both sexes who were on the side walk hemmed by ropes stretched across the street and along the sidewalk, so they were unable to escape in time.”
“This proceeding was totally unnecessary, as by this time the upper portion of Fishel’s building had fallen in and Dodd’s stables were past all danger of taking fire. The Pacific Hose Co. No. 1 and Protection Hook and Ladder Co were stationed on Hotel street opposite the Pantheon saloon and did effective service. …” (Saturday Press, January 24, 1885)
Then, later that year, “About half-past 2 o’clock yesterday morning, Mr. James Dodd, who was sleeping in a room in the second story of Campbell’s block, Hotel street, immediately opposite his extensive stables, was awakened by the crackling sound of fire and the pungent smell of smoke.”
“Looking out of the window, he saw a bright flame rising from near the northwest corner of the large building known as Bertleman’s mill on Fort street.”
“As this locality adjoined his stables and was on their windward side, Mr. Dodd knew that for the third time his property was in danger from fire, and made all speed to the stables. …”
“The night was clear and bright, and, fortunately, there was but little wind, so although the Pantheon stables on the side next the fire were deeply charred, they were saved from destruction.”
“On the north side of the burning mill, however, the flames communicated with a dwelling-house standing but a few feet distant, and it, with a smaller building in the rear, was totally consumed.”
“This dwelling was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. McShane and some lodgers. None of the occupants of this house or of Rose Cottage succeeded in saving anything but a little clothing and a few trifles….”
“A noticeable feature of the fire was the admirable order preserved by all. Though there was the Pantheon Saloon standing unprotected, and in such imminent danger of being burned that in many cities the crowd would have felt themselves justified in trying to save its contents …”
“… and secure unlimited drinks at the same time the place was not touched, and even when the suggestion was made that the firemen and sailors might have a bottle or two of whisky distributed among them, the idea found no supporters and nobody got drunk.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, May 4, 1885)
Dodd died … “There are many a poor fellow who will miss ‘Jim’ because the hand of our late fellow citizen was always in his purse, and ready to help some who deserved help and very many who did not deserve it.”
“Mr Dodd was born in Ireland in 1848 and was Irish to the backbone. He had live an adventurous life and finally settled in Honolulu in the early 70s. As owner of the Pantheon saloon he became very popular and through his excellent business and successful operations in stocks and real estate he made considerable money.” (The Independent, January 22, 1900)
Later that year, the Pantheon faced fire again … “The Pantheon saloon block will be destroyed by fire this morning. Orders were Issued last night by Chief Hunt to have everything in readiness for the application of the torch by 6:30 o’clock.”
“The condemned area extends from Ed Williams’ undertaking parlors to Hotel street, thence to the lanai of the New England Bakery, taking in the whole block which Includes the Uncle Sam restaurant, the Owl lunch rooms, the Pantheon livery stables, the saloon and barber shop and John Phillips’ plumbing establishment.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, February 7, 1900)
The Pantheon was brought back, again … “Yesterday afternoon workmen commenced breaking ground for a new building to be erected on the old Pantheon site, comer of Fort and Hotel streets. The ground is owned by the Widemann estate. LC Ables, David Dayton and the estate of James Dodd have an unexpired five-years’ lease on the property.” (Honolulu Republican, June 27, 1900)
“Like the Phoenix the Pantheon arose from its ashes. Although it is not on the same spot it is so near It that one looking for the favorite drinking place cannot go far astray.”
“Ever since the old Pantheon was started many years ago by the late James Dodd it has been noted for the good cheer obtainable there. Now that Its old proprietor Is no more, the reputation of the place is kept up to its former old standard and there is nothing to be desired in the way of refreshment for the inner man that cannot be obtained there.”
“The Pantheon is homelike and as an oasis in a desert to the tired and thirsty traveller. It is the place to drop in and take a drop. … The Pantheon Saloon is the whole name of the place. Everybody knows it by the name Pantheon.”
“The name of the saloon is over the door. It is on Hotel street. There the thirst may be refreshed and the weary rest.” (Honolulu Republican, June 16, 1901)
Later, Joe Silva took over the operation – he opened with a Luau at the Pantheon, “Tonight is opening night at the Pantheon saloon (late Jim Dodd), now under the management of Joe T Silva, assisted by Dick Sullivan. A big spread awaits the public and friend at the new managers. Don’t forget the location – Hotel and Fort Streets.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, July 7, 1906)
Silva was later “notified by the owners of the Pantheon block that he will he will have to vacate … the new place into which he expects to move will not be completed for about three months and during the interim her will be out of business.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, October 8, 1910) The marque at 1129 Nu‘uanu Avenue identifies the building as ‘1911 – JT Silva – Pantheon’.
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