A Bully Time!
The forgotten man, the twenty-sixth president of the United States-Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt was more than a president; he was a mover and a shaker. He was a political genius who was responsible for reshaping the future of the Americas.
Teddy was the founder of the Rough Riders, a well-known regiment that fought in the Spanish American War in 1898. He formed the Boone and Crocket Club of New York. He was the first American to win the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in settling the Russo-Japanese War of 1906. Teddy also built the Panama Canal.
He was a rancher in North Dakota, a statesman in New York, a cowboy in the west, a trustbuster in the east, a hunter in Africa, a political power broker, and a gorger of the American Industrial Age.
Since Teddy was most comfortable in the Dakotas, we have attempted to depict a period similar to the time he would have spent there. So whether you are a statesman, a cowboy, or someone who enjoys a game of billiards, darts, or a great meal, we welcome you to "speak softly and carry a big stick" while you have a BULLY TIME!
If These Walls Could Talk
Theodore Roosevelt's life was our inspiration for making Roosevelt's Billiards a great place to eat and a great place to meet. However, did you know that many of Roosevelt's structural and aesthetic embellishments have a story of their own? Actually, many date back to the turn of the century, back to the time of Teddy himself.
Take a look around the bar area and notice the half-walls dividing the lounge and also the bar surface walls. These are all made of oak and cypress raised panel doors from New Orleans. If you removed the red trim molding at the bottom, you would see the holes from the lockset.
The seven oak panels along the west wall are from Houston. They once graced the mansion of Robert Meecham. The Meecham family made their fortune supplying steel castings for oil drills at the turn of the century.
Roosevelt's custom made back bar stands thirteen feet high. The basic shape consists of eleven oak veneer boxes, which are trimmed with five types and sizes of crown moldings. Interestingly enough, these moldings were found by our designers lying in a pile at an architectural antique store in New Orleans.
A chainsaw artist carved the wooden bust of Teddy above the vestibule. The carving stands 4 1/2 feet tall and weighs over 500 pounds. It was carved from a cherry tree.
There are five Frederick Remington and one Charles Russell sculptures throughout Roosevelt's. The largest of the Remington sculptures lies atop the front bar. It is called "Coming Through the Rye.” It took six men to lift it to its niche at the front bar.
Roosevelt's beautiful stained glass, interior front door and dome inside the vestibule are from Houston, Texas. These two pieces once graced the entrance of a theater that was built in 1910. The design depicts a scarab.
The light fixtures behind the bar were purchased at an antique store in New Orleans. When the electricians were installing them prior to our opening, they made an interesting discovery. Etched on the inside of the fixtures was the manufacturing date - 1914!
The three signs that hang near the two front corners of the bar area and above the dining area depict the different accomplishments and aspects of Teddy's life. Actually, they are antique railroad signs from New Orleans.
