Smitty's Tavern

Smitty's Tavern
located on the corner of Highway E and Green Bay Road, Somers, Wisconsin
(Photo courtesy of Greg Sinnen)

Fifty years of family association with Smitty's Tavern came to an end when Glenn Smith sold the popular Somers tavern.  It was known for oversize ham sandwiches and a family atmosphere where Somers resident gathered to visit with neighbors.  For years it was across the street from the old Somers Town Hall.

Harmon Smith opened the tavern doors in August 1924.  It quickly became the social center for the farmers, workers and  the entire community.  It is said that few women came into the tavern in the early 1920's but Harmon made sure right at the beginning that this was a family place and he enforced that policy for years.  When Harmon Smith retired,  Glenn Smith and his son-in-law, Jim Skendziel, took over as partners.  Harmon died December 18, 1972.

Glenn's father, Curtis Smith became associated with his brother's tavern and was active there until his death in 1968.  Another brother, Glenn's uncle Allie Smith, tended bar until his 70's.  He had been around Smitty's since 1937.

Supervising the tavern was Glenn's wife, Ann, and two daughters, Mrs. Jim (Arlene) Skendziel and Joane Smith.  Assisting them and also serving as waitresses were Mrs. John (Trudy) Greno, Mrs. Byron (Kathy) Biehn, Mrs. Glenn (Shorty) Feest and Mrs. Gerald (Jean) Sinnen.

On Friday nights, the place was jammed for the big fish fry.  Operating the tavern meant long hours for the Smith family,  The day started at 8 am with cleaning.  The bar seated 22 customers and lunch tables will serve 64 persons at a time.  During the Depression of the 1930's, the back lot of the tavern was used as the playing field for the Somers Cardinals, a semi-pro baseball team.  The Cardinals competed with clubs from Kenosha to Michigan City.  

World War II and the military draft brought changes in life styles and an end to baseball on the neighborhood level.  The Somers Saddle Club also used the tavern grounds for monthly horse shows during the summertime.

After selling the tavern, Glenn Smith went back to the farm to little bit of farming on the 250 acres his son Jerry Smith operates.  Glenn Smith said for many years he knew 95% of the tavern's customers.  When he sold the business, he only knew 15%.  

Click here for more information about the Smith family.