A Jefferson City landmark is planning a big celebration today.
Paddy Malone's Irish Pub will mark its 150th anniversary.
"We've gone through the records and found that this is Missouri's oldest continually operating pub," said Paddy's owner Allen Tatman. "We are now in the process of trying to get on the National Register of Historic Places."
Tatman said the east side of the building, where the bar is located, is the original building which was constructed in 1863.
"John Knaup actually began a business at this site in 1836, but it wasn't until 1863 that he opened a pub here and called it Knaup's Tavern."
After Knaup, the establishment was known as the West End Saloon from 1870-1896 and then it was known as "The First Chance, Last Chance" from 1896-1920.
"That was because Cole County was a wet county, and it was the first place a person coming into the county could get a drink and the last place they could go if they were headed back north into Callaway County, which was a dry county," Tatman said.
Following Prohibition, which lasted from 1920-1933, Pat Conrad and his family operated the establishment, and from 1933-2000, it was known as Pat's Place.
Tatman has operated the pub since 2000 and says getting the Irish atmosphere and kitchen operation established have been their biggest accomplishments.
"This is a tough business, and it's hard to believe we've been around 13 years," he said. "Coming here every day and meeting the people is the biggest highlight for me in my time here."