E. Carlson, 1999

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Perhaps the most Underbelly aspect of WAVES is a square of plexiglass covering a small area of the hardwood floor. Beneath the glass is a section of marble tile, and a plaque reading, "You are looking at a section of the original marble tile spittoon gutter, which ran the length of the original bar. This was a unique concept since most saloons contained brass spittoons or a can placed under the front of the bar. This gutter was rediscovered during the renovation of the hardwood floors."

The spittoon gutter, when functional, actually curved up the front underside of the bar - allowing pent up patrons the opportunity to unbutton their trousers and relieve themselves on the marble facing. A "mop boy" would splash a bucket of water through the gutter at appropriate intervals.

I am not making this up.




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