916 Main Historic Structure Assessment

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916 Main Street Hartronft Associates, pc Historic Structure Assessment October 10, 2023 Louisville residents have told the Museum staff that gamblers at the Bug Dust were sometimes victims of theft, with little that could be done about it. Because gambling was illegal, robberies were not reported. This likely only served to encourage additional robberies. Hooded robbers would hold it up and take large amounts of cash from gamblers. Within only a few years of the establishment of the Bug Dust Pool Hall, John Madonna was already in hot water for illegal gambling taking place there. The County Sheriff raided the site in 1951, and Madonna and another Louisville business owner (Dixie Elrod) were charged with possessing gambling equipment and operating gaming rooms. Sheriff Arthur Everson termed it the first raid of any importance in five or six years. (Denver Post, 04-07-1951). The County Sheriff raided the Bug Dust Pool Hall again on Jan. 24, 1953. The Louisville Times (The Louisville Times January 29, 1953 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection) reported the following: District Attorney Files Action To Close Bugdust Pool Hall / Sheriff Furnishes Facts To Start Action Against Gambling in Louisville A major step towards stopping gambling in Louisville was taken yesterday when efforts were started to close the Bugdust pool hall, an alleged gambling place. A complaint asking the district court to close the Bugdust was prepared by Deputy District Attorney Horace B. Holmes. The complaint was on basis of information presented by Sheriff Arthur T. Everson. Legal term for the proceedings is abatement of a nuisance. The pool hall is owned by John Madonna, Jr. In connection with the report of the complaint, it was reported there have been persistent reports that "big time" gamblers from Denver and elsewhere frequently roll dice for large sums of money at the place. Sheriff Everson went to the pool hall Saturday night but was informed that the gamblers had left just before his arrival. The same thing has happened several times previously when the sheriff has attempted gambling raids at the Bugdust and elsewhere.... Holmes filed his complaint yesterday and asked the district court for a hearing Monday on a motion for a preliminary injunction against Madonna. This would prevent operation of "a nuisance" at the Bugdust pending final hearing. Then the court will be asked to close the building for any purpose for one year and to direct the removal and sale of "all furniture, fixtures, musical instruments and movable property in conducting, maintaining, aiding or abetting the nuisance." In a telephone conversation last night, Everson told The Times when asked what was back of the action, that complaints received from Louisville people were not alone in bringing about the drastic action. He said he had been over here so many times to try to stop gambling and when he arrested them and brought them in all they got was a $50 fine, which he said they can make in 20 minutes. The sheriff said he had talked with the operator and tried to get them to stop and they "just made a laughing stock out of the officers." Everson said the city dads were to blame because they would not do anything to stop gambling.... In an article the next week, the Louisville Times reported that the Louisville Town Board unanimously decided about a week after the Sheriff's statement that gamblers would no longer "be permitted to use Louisville as a place to gamble" despite being "irked by Sheriff Arthur Everson's statement that the board was to blame that gambling was permitted in Louisville." Page 11 of 51