Ethel’s in Highland

Ethel’s is a tavern in Highland at 620 Broadway Street. Named for longtime owner Ethel Hirsch, the business has served Highland residents under various names since the end of Prohibition in 1933. It is known for “Ethel’s Bucket,” a mixed drink served in a bucket.

In the 19^th century, another establishment was located at 620 Broadway Street: the St. Louis House, a tavern and hostelry first owned by Wesley Dugger and later by John Menz, Sr.((Roland Harris, “Gazetteer of Madison County of 1866” The Highland News Leader, 19 February, 2009.)) The St. Louis House was destroyed by fire in 1913. The day Prohibition ended, December 5, 1933,((Susie Pfister, interview by Darren Latham, 14 July 2018.)) the first owner of the establishment, Edwin H. “Kid” Walter (1900-1955)((St Joseph Cemetery (Highland, Madison County, Illinois), Edwin H. Walter Headstone, personally photographed, 21 July 2018.)) took ownership under the name Kid Walter’s Place, making Ethel’s the owner of one of the oldest liquor licenses in Madison County.((Obituary of Ethel Hirsch, The Highland News Leader, 19 March 2001.)) Kid Walter also owned a package liquor business in Highland at 806 Broadway Street named Walter’s Liquor & Sporting Goods Store.((Rolland Harris,” Bricks that Helped Build Early Highland were made in Town”, The Highland News Leader, 27 July 2017.))  Kid Walter’s Place was built on the site of The St. Louis House and was attached to the National Trail Garage also occupying the previous site of The St. Louis House.((Roland Harris, “Karl Mueller Early Builder”, The Highland News Leader, 2004.))

On April 1, 1952 Kid Walter’s place was purchased by Delmar “Jim” Hirsch (1908-1968)((Obituary of Delmar “Jim” Hirsch, The Highland News Leader, 7 August 1968.)) and Ethel Hirsch (1915-2001).((Obituary of Ethel Hirsch, The Highland News Leader, 19 March 2001.)) Kid Walter retired on his farm southeast of Highland until his death three years later on February 20, 1955.((The Highland News Leader, 2 April 1952; St Joseph Cemetery (Highland, Madison County, Illinois), Edwin H. Walter Headstone, personally photographed, 21 July 2018.)) Jim and Ethel Hirsch renamed the establishment Hirsch’s Tavern and ran it together for 16 years until Jim’s death on August 1, 1968.((Obituary of Delmar “Jim” Hirsch, The Highland News Leader, 7 August 1968.)) Prior to owning Hirsch’s Tavern, Ethel worked for Michael’s Restaurant and Moulton-Barely Shoe Factory.((Obituary of Ethel Hirsch, The Highland News Leader, 19 March 2001.)) Jim previously worked for Highland Dairy and Highland Supply.((Obituary of Delmar “Jim” Hirsch, The Highland News Leader, 7 August 1968.))

After Jim’s passing in 1968, Ethel become sole owner and operator. Under her management, the tavern became well known in Highland and beyond for Ethel’s Bucket, a mixed drink served in a small bucket for sharing. The Bucket includes six shots of alcohol, but other than that, the secret to the Bucket is heavily guarded.  Party buses and wedding parties would come from all across the region to sample Ethel’s Bucket and to participate in the many wedding traditions established by Ethel.((Susie Pfister, interview by Darren Latham, 14 July 2018.)) One of these traditions Ethel began was to clear the bar area when a wedding party arrived, allowing the party sole access to bar seating. After running the tavern for almost fifty years, Ethel fell and broke her arm two days before her 86^th birthday.((Ibid.)) Her health quickly declined after that accident until her death on March 15, 2001. Hirsch’s Tavern was then passed to Ethel’s employee and longtime friend Susie Pfister who is now the current owner. Susie has kept the legal name Hirsch’s Tavern, Inc. but added a “doing business as” (DBA) of Ethel’s to honor her friend.((Ibid.)) The traditions and memories of Ethel are still a part of the establishment, including another type of “bucket” developed by Susie. This additional drink, called the Tropical Bucket, complements the experience with an alternative to the enjoyable, traditional Ethel’s Bucket.