Barbershop

This building was built by Ole Olson around 1902 and used as a carpenter shop. It was also used as a tailor shop by Nels Nelson. Originally, Olson's home stood on this site with the shop located at the back of the lot. Home Vick was the owner of the home in 1924 when a fire destroyed his residence. The shop was moved to its present location in the late 1930s by Les Larson and was used as a barbershop beginning in the 1940s. Paul Bremer was the barber until the mid 1950s, at which time Hugo Indra took over the business, cutting hair in this shop until the early 1980s. George Patrinos was the third barber to operate his business here, working from the mid-1980s until 2020. Taking over the shop after Patrinos' retirement was Milt Loose.

The building had a Broom-Town front, a characteristic which, when viewed from the front, made the building appear larger. The Broom-Town front was removed around the year 2000.

For eight decades, the barbershop has been a lively place for men to get their hair cut. Open only a couple evenings a week plus various hours on Saturday, the barbershop served walk-ins on a first come basis. No appointments were taken as there never was a telephone in the building. At times, it would be an hour wait before your turn came up. But, no worries, there were plenty of conversations in the crowded room to pass the time. In the 1950s, the radio kept everyone up-to-date with the world events as they waited, with young boys occupied with a variety of comic books before it was their turn. For the kids, their reward after receiving their haircuts was Bazooka gum.

As time moves forward, so does the barbershop. The current operator does not take walk-ins, all haircuts are by appointment.

Historic McFarland: A Walking Tour