The Storied Past of The Sportsman's Tavern

483 Prospect Road, Berea Ohio 44017

Lora Burgess

Located at 483 Prospect Road, Sportsman's Tavern is more than just a bar—it’s a cornerstone of Berea’s working-class legacy, steeped in stories of immigration, resilience, and community.

Author’s note about this photo: The Interurban (Cleveland and Berea Street Railway) line shown in photo ran from 1895 to 1935.  Additionally, the left add-on is missing.  There was a comment from Gene Siodla this photo was taken in 1912.  It still hangs in the bar today. 

For over 150 years, the corner of Prospect and Bronson has echoed with the footsteps of immigrants, the hum of interurban rails, and the clink of glasses at Sportsman's Tavern.

The Schoeneck Era:  Where Württemberg Met Whiskey

John Schoeneck was born around 1826 in Württemberg, Germany.  He married Anna M. Schoeneck in Germany and both came to America 1872.  He built a saloon on this lot between 1873 and 1874.  He’s first mentioned in the local paper as a saloon keeper in 1876 on Campground Road.  He’s listed as a saloon keeper in the 1880 census in Berea.  We know Campground Road today as Prospect.  The map for 1874 showed Prospect.  It’s possible he insisted on using its previous name for the census taker. 

There’s been a long standing rumor of Bronson descending down into the quarry, but looking at historical map in 1874, we see plainly that Bridge street (now called Parkview) was the one that continued down the hill to J. Brown Quarry.  Berea : Middleburg Twp. - David Rumsey Historical Map Collection

An interesting article from Berea Historical Society’s scanned newspaper search tool shows that on Sunday evening, September 3, 1881, a serious event occurred.  Horatio Couch rode a wagon up Prospect and shouted some offense.  In Retaliation, or by accident as John claims, his small pistol went off shooting Horatio right in the neck.  How strange!  Of the $5000 Mr. Couch sued for, he was awarded $275 on June 22, 1882. 

As of 1880, the business ad showed that Horatio Couch had a new livery business.  Horatio survived and moved to Elyria, dying in 1917. 

He sold the two lots owned at Prospect and Bronson Streets to the Cleesattel’s in 1884 for $1700, which is no small amount at that time. 

The Cleesattel Era: 

Struck by Fate, Rooted in Legacy: The Immigrant Who Built a Life, Lost a Love, and Died by the Rails

William Cleesattle (born Wilhelm Christoph Cleesattel, July 27, 1840, Nordheim, Württemberg, Germany) immigrated to the United States in 1869 with his wife, Carolina “Sarah” Reutter Cleesattel, whom he married in 1865. The couple raised five children during their 31-year marriage. The 1880 Census shows them in Litchfield, Medina.  Sarah passed away in July 1897 at age 52.

By 1900, William was listed in census records as a saloonkeeper and homeowner in Berea. He was literate and had fully paid off his property—a notable achievement for an immigrant of the time. In 1901, he returned to Germany alone for a visit, a rare and telling detail of his enduring connection to his homeland.

Note: A misprint in the Berea Enterprise referred to the family name as “Claysattle.” Eugene Siodla later repeated this error. The correct spelling is Cleesattle.

In 1902, He married Bridget Tully (Corrected as Conry on Ancestry) when he was 62, she was 48.  After selling the property, they moved to Cleveland. A wrongful death settlement claim dated January 25, 1917, from the Cleveland Railway Company reveals that William was tragically struck by a train, leading to his death. The settlement requested $800, with $1 allocated to each of his five children and the remainder to his widow, Bridget Cleesattel. Bridget, born around 1854 in Boston.  William was interred in East Cleveland Township Cemetery, while Sarah rests in Woodvale Cemetery.

 The Siodla Era:

Immigrant Grit and Entrepreneurial Spirit

In 1905, Jan K. Siodla (pictured in 1943) and his wife Anna took a bold step into Berea’s social scene, purchasing a local tavern from the Cleesattles. Over the years, the establishment bore several names—Jan’s Place and the colorful First and Last Chance Saloon among them. This is the first known association with the stag or deer as we know them here in America.

Jan’s (Jan in Polish is pronounced Yon) story began far from Ohio. A Polish immigrant, he arrived in Berea in 1880 by way of Canada, drawn by the promise of work in the town’s booming sandstone quarries. These quarries were the lifeblood of Berea’s early economy, shaping not only its landscape but its identity. For decades, Jan labored in this gritty trade before carving out a new path—one that would transform him from quarryman to tavern keeper.

The name “First and Last Chance Saloon” carried a certain romance in American bar culture. Such taverns often stood at the edge of dry territories, offering travelers their final legal sip before crossing into prohibition zones—or their first upon leaving one. It was a name steeped in the spirit of the era, evoking the tension between temperance and indulgence that defined the early 20th century.

Jan’s leap from stone to spirits marked more than a career change; it was a turning point in Berea’s story. His tavern became a gathering place—a spot where quarry dust gave way to laughter, conversation, and the clink of glasses.

“Jan & Anna converted part of the house to a small grocery store and kept the tavern as it was. During Prohibition, they turned it into an ice cream shoppe—but still sold booze to those they knew.”— Eugene Siodla, grandson of Jan K. Siodla

Jan renamed the tavern several times, including Jan’s Place and Jan K. Siodla, Prop. Locals fondly recall the painted copper ceiling and the interurban tracks that once ran out front, adding to the building’s vintage charm. Sadly, Jan’s exposure to quarry dust (silica) led to silicosis, a form of cancer that claimed his life in 1952. Anna lived until 1968. Their legacy continued through their children and grandchildren, who remained active in Berea’s development.

Jan’s son John was born in the upstairs bedroom.  He went on to build over 100 houses in Berea and around 20 in Middleburg Heights.  Jacqueline Drive is rumored to have been named after John's daughter.

 The Walters Era: 

A Family Legacy and Community Anchor

Ralph Walters: The Man Behind Berea’s Sportsman’s Tavern

When Ralph Walters stepped into the world of tavern ownership in Berea, Ohio, he wasn’t just buying a building—he was inheriting a piece of the town’s soul. Around 1949, Walters purchased the Prospect Road establishment from Jan and Anna Siodla, who had run it for decades under names like Jan’s Place and the colorful First and Last Chance Saloon. With a vision for the post-war era, Walters gave the tavern a new identity: The Sportsman’s Tavern.

Born in 1918, Ralph Walters grew up in a time when Berea’s sandstone quarries were fading but their legacy still shaped the town’s character. He married Ruth Ferenc Walters, and together they became fixtures of the local community. Ralph’s decision to rename the tavern reflected the cultural shift of mid-century America—moving away from the rough-and-tumble saloon image toward a more family-friendly, sports-oriented gathering place. The name “Sportsman’s” evoked camaraderie, leisure, and the optimism of the post-Prohibition years.

Under Walters’ stewardship, the tavern thrived as a neighborhood hub. It was a place where quarrymen’s sons, returning veterans, and local families could share stories over a drink, watch a game, and feel connected to Berea’s evolving identity. Walters didn’t just run a bar; he curated a space where tradition met modernity, preserving the social heartbeat of a town in transition.

Ralph Walters passed away in 2003, leaving behind not only a family but a landmark that still bears the name he chose more than half a century ago. Today, Sportsman’s Tavern stands as a living testament to Walters’ role in Berea’s history—a reminder that behind every local institution is a person whose choices shaped the community.

“The Walters family at one time owned it... Class Act.”— Gary K., Berea resident [facebook.com]

Across the street, the Dumke family operated another tavern, later purchased by Jan’s descendants and transformed into the Jacqueline Superette. That area eventually became Jacqueline Drive, a residential development created by Jan’s children.

“We lived across the street from the tavern on ten acres that my dad and mom made into a development – Jacqueline Drive.”— Eugene Siodla [facebook.com]

Berea in the 1940s: A Town in Transition The 1940s were a turning point for Berea. Once known as the “Grindstone City” for its thriving sandstone quarries, the town saw its industrial backbone begin to crumble. By the mid-1940s, the Cleveland Stone Quarry Company closed its doors, marking the end of an era.

Carborundum grinding wheels and cement replaced Berea sandstone, and the quarries that had shaped the town’s identity for nearly a century fell silent.

1968:  It’s interesting to find in 1968, men’s slow pitch softball was intense!  Sportsman’s Tavern narrowly lost 1968 league championships to McKenna Excavator’s due to an error.  That included the Oriole Café. 

 Post Walters Era: 

Now designated as several LLC’s with owners difficult to locate. 

On March 1, 1995, Richard Vamvut and Pauline Demonia purchased the establishment from Micky Celebucki.  At the time, it was nearly empty and struggling to attract business. Micky had already cleared out all the beer and liquor, leaving only the barstools and tables behind.

Pauline, having worked in numerous bars before, began drawing her regular customers to Sportsman’s. They gave the place a thorough cleaning, and removed the old, yellow carpet. The U-shaped bar you see today has been resurfaced several times and was recently repositioned to create a wider walkway near the restrooms.

Modern Day:  An Historic Bar with Heart

Today, Sportsman’s Tavern is proudly owned by Doug McJunkins and continues to stand as a beloved Berea landmark. With its relaxed atmosphere, affordable drinks, and hearty daily menu, it remains true to the city’s working-class roots.

Many of the original features look the same as in the historic photos.   The bar features a glass cabinet on either side of a central mirror.  The glass on the right is original, and clearly seen in Jan Sidiola’s photograph. 

There were large windows on either side of front door that started approximately 15 inches from the floor.  These types of windows allowed merchandise stores the ability to showcase their current offerings.  Today the windows are much higher up. The basement is Berea sandstone and sealed for a dryer space. 

You still see the embossed tin ceiling panels.  These type of coverings weren’t just ornamental, there were reasons they were popular in saloons, stores and businesses.  They were used because of ease of installation, and an attractive cost versus plaster.  Additionally, the panels allowed a protective barrier in case of fire or water damage. 

I did my best to find out exactly what that little access door above the door did.  I spoke to Clarence, a long-time local.  He said he once saw a previous owner get on a ladder and open it.  He said Micky was pulling tons of handwritten grocery receipts stuffed in there.  I also consulted some experts to historic buildings.  I was told this was just an access door above the ceiling.  It was likely for ventilation or to access wiring. 

Taco Tuesdays are a crowd favorite, and the tavern is still the place where stories flow as easily as the drinks—a living tribute to the generations who built, preserved, and celebrated its legacy. Many of its loyal regulars are women who often gather for spirited games of Uno, adding to the lively, welcoming vibe.

For me, nothing beats a classic cheeseburger with extra-crispy fries. Somehow, it always comes out perfectly cooked—medium well without even asking. Thanks for joining me on this journey through The Storied Past of Sportsman's Tavern!