John Huonker/Hi-Bar Tavern Collection, 1885-1978

Summary

Abstract:
This collection contains items which were collected by John Huonker. It includes programs from various events, booklets and other documents pertaining to Elmira and Chemung County history, bills and receipts from various local businesses, photographs of John Huonker and his business, and yearbooks from Southside High School.
Extent:
1 linear foot
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The John Huonker/Hi-Bar Tavern Collection contains items collected by Mr. Huonker which pertain to Elmira and Chemung County History. It includes programs from local area theaters and art galleries ranging in date from 1894 to 1963 and various booklets, magazines, documents and brochures about local history and events. It also includes photographs of John Huonker, his friends and his business, primarily from the 1970's. The collection also contains a large number of bills and receipts related to the Carr family dating from 1885 to 1920.

Biographical / historical:

John F. Huonker was a life-long resident of Elmira, N.Y. Beginning in 1937, he worked in the wine cellar of the Mark Twain Hotel, first as a clerk and later as a steward. In 1943, he married his wife Jean, a nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital. During WWII, he served in the United States Army Air Corps. In 1959, he left the Mark Twain Hotel and opened the Hi-Bar Tavern at 600 South Main Street with his partner Frederick O'Herron. In 1981, he retired as president of Hi-Bar Tavern, Inc., although his wife remained the secretary of the company. In his spare time, Huonker was an amateur historian who collected items relating to Chemung County and surrounding areas.

Acquisition information:
The items in this collection were donated to the Booth Library by John Huonker in 1992.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The Chemung County Historical Society's research library and archives are open to the public from 1pm to 5pm, Monday through Friday. There is a $5 fee for non-members.

Location of this collection:
415 E. Water Street
Elmira, NY 14901, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
(607) 734-4167
cchs@chemungvalleymuseum.org