PERUSE THE FACEBOOK PAGE for WD’s Bar & Grill in Mazeppa and you get a strong sense of what this business means to the folks of this small southeastern Minnesota community north of Rochester.
Here locals gather to celebrate special occasions like Valentine’s Day with prime rib and jumbo shrimp dinners. Or birthdays with burgers and a beer. And during this season of Lent, a Friday Night Fish Fry draws crowds. This seems the place to be—to meet your family, your friends, your neighbors, to commune over good food and conversation.
But no more. Early Sunday morning this 1900 brick corner building in the heart of this town burned. I can only imagine how locals are reeling from the loss of a community gathering spot. When a town of around 800 loses a business, it loses part of its identity. I should note, though, that Mazeppa still has other bars/restaurants/gathering places.
I visited Mazeppa in October 2016 and found it an especially interesting community to photograph given the historic buildings and also the incredible building signage created by resident sign painter Mike Meyer. If only I’d stepped inside WD’s Bar & Grill during that brief visit. There’s a lesson to be learned in that. Although I documented this town with my camera, I didn’t really experience it. I didn’t walk into that long-time bar and grill and observe the locals, feel the heartbeat of this community. I regret that now.
Even if WD’s chooses to rebuild, something will have been lost. Not in the people. But in the setting of history, of a rooted sense of place.
The Crow Bar & Grill, Courtland, Minnesota. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo July 2014.
FYI: Click here to read a post from November 2015 about another small town bar and grill destroyed by fire. Last time I passed by nearly two weeks ago, a new building stood on the site in Courtland, presumably the rebuilt The Crow Bar & Grill.
Please check back soon for more photos from my October 2016 stop in Mazeppa, including the signage of Mike Meyer. It’s time I post those forgotten filed images.
© Copyright 2018 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
sad….
Yup
How very sad – there is nothing left to this historic community gathering spot. I have not heard the town name of Mazeppa in a very long time – more familiar with Zumbrota – camped in the area growing up and have a friend’s family that lives in the area.
They’re neighboring towns. Wait until I show you that incredible signage in Mazeppa.
Cannot wait 🙂
It won’t be until next week or the week after.
Disasters like this usually hit these small towns really hard. Too bad.
I have a feeling this business will rebuild or relocate.
I bet it was a fun place. There’s nothing better than kicking back in a small town.
I definitely regret not stepping inside this bar and grill.