WHAT’S HAPPENED  SO FAR:

The battle to preserve the Wonder Bar is not over yet! The 1930s Prohibition Roadhouse built by rivals of Al Capone is safe for the moment thanks to public outcry:

On July 26th, 2021: The city did not approve McGrath’s plan for an 18-story development at 222-232 E Olin Avenue and several citizens submitted a nomination for Landmark status to protect the Wonder Bar.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT:

The Madison Landmark’s Commission will decide on August 30, 2021 at 5:00 PM whether to recommend making the Wonder Bar a Landmark. The Common Council will make a final decision on the building’s Landmark status in mid-September.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1)      Keep this petition circulating. Send it to your family and friends!

2)      Write to landmarkscommission@cityofmadison.com to say that you support making a recommendation for Landmark status to the Wonder Bar on August 30, 2021.

3)      Write to allalders@cityofmadison.com and to you own alder individually to express your support for making the Wonder Bar a Landmark.

4)      Join the effort to Save the Wonder Bar! We need your help to keep this effort going. Contact savethewonderbar@gmail.com

The multi-story mixed-use development proposed by McGrath Property Group, LLC, for 222 East Olin Avenue, requires the removal of the current site’s occupant, a building known as the Wonder Bar. Built by the Touhy brothers, gangsters who battled Al Capone for control of alcohol distribution and gambling northwest of the windy city, and part of the Madison pub scene since it opened circa 1930 as Eddie’s Wonder Bar, this fortress-like landmark was once one of a network of roadhouses along highways in rural areas and on the outskirts of cities built for the illegal distribution of liquor during Prohibition. Eddie's Wonder Bar remained in the Touhy family through 1950 and has been in operation as a restaurant in recent years. The building thus recalls both an important epoch in American history and represents an important node of Madison culture and community.

In light of the Wonder Bar’s:

·       Significance as a part of Madison's, Wisconsin's, the Midwest's, and the United States' Prohibition Era history;

·       Significance as an example of Prohibition Era architecture; and

·       Role for the past one hundred years in creating Madison community

And in recognition of the fact that:

·       The Madison Landmarks Commission has judged the Wonder Bar to be a building of historic significance; and

·       Other cities, such as Chicago, have chosen to celebrate and preserve their Prohibition landmarks and even have Prohibition tours!

We, the undersigned, oppose the demolition of the Wonder Bar. We advocate that serious consideration be given to preserving the historic value of this building and that an alternative to its destruction be sought.