Pennsylvania Historic Preservation

Blog of the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office

Figure 4 Harrisburg’s First Gay Bar

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Brick building

Harrisburg’s first gay bar was the Clock Bar, which opened in 1938 at 400 North Second Street. It was raided by police and Liquor Control Board agents in 1965 and shut down. It re-opened in 1966 under a new owner and re-named the 400 Club. It remained a gay bar through a series of changes in ownership and names, including the Dandelion Tree shown in this photo, ca. 1977, until its last incarnation, La Rose Rouge, closed in 1990. It is currently the Burger Yum restaurant. ; Photo courtesy of Crossroads Magazine, in the collection of the History Project of the LGBT Center of Central PA, Archives and Special Collections, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.

Clock bar, bar, LGBT history

5 Comments

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  1. Sabrina Dare Bledsoe says:

    My dad owned it my grandfather owned the property My dad Stu Dare nd my mother maureen dare..it was the clock bar n white elephant also. George Dare my grandfather owned the property

  2. Sabrina dare bledsoe says:

    My father, Stuart Dare, ran the bar during the raid..my grandfather George Dare owned the property. I have more history they should be recognized for their involvement in the Gay Community and Harrisburg.

    Please contact me.
    Sincerely
    Sabrina Dare Bledsoe

    • Victoria Dare says:

      Hi, I’m married to your cousin Michael, your Uncle Kens son. I’m really into the genealogy of the family. Do you have any history on the Bar? Or any pictures? Looking forward to hearing from you. Vickie Dare

      • Sabrina Dare Bledsoe says:

        Yes !
        with my uncle Kenneth Dare my mom knew all the history!
        Thx for connecting with me !

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