It’s been bricked up due to newer fire code regulations, but when all these neighboring buildings were erected in the 1800s, tunnels were put into the basements for coal delivery purposes. In the basement, there was an old tunnel that led across the street. Unfortunately, we had to take the door down and replace it during the renovation but Helen still has it at her home. Until around fourteen years ago, we still used the original back door entrance, which even had a peephole in it. When the City would shut down one door during a Prohibition raid, people would just use a different entrance or exit. At one point this corner was a stagecoach stop and between the two buildings was a courtyard where they would bring in the horse and carriages.ĭuring Prohibition, this was a popular speakeasy and there were seven doors that functioned as entrances or exits. Julius’ is actually comprised of two buildings and when you are inside you can see a little dip in the ceiling where the two buildings were connected. This space dates back to the 1840s when it originally operated as a dry goods store.
The following is transcribed from an interview with long-time bartenders, Tracy O’Neill and Daniel Onzo.
