Ithaca new york gay bars

By chance, they came upon the original State Street location while on their way to the laundromat. Their vision was to create a haven where everyone was welcome. Another member of the community, George Ferrari, recalls, "Another bar called Cactus Jack's was right next door.

Sometimes patrons ended up accidentally in the Common Ground when they meant to be at Cactus Jack's, or vice versa. Someone always kindly took those wayward customers back to the bar that they intended. The entire building was condemned the next morning, and later demolished. The Common Ground lost everything, including record albums, equipment, business records, and beverages.

The fire was discovered at 6 am, and it took all day and more than 70 firefighters to control the blaze.

Sit in and Boycott at Morrie’s Bar, 409 Eddy St, October 1970

Plumes of smoke rose up into the sky hundreds of feet. The fire quickly spread throughout the building, up several floors and to the roof, where it spread to the roof of an adjoining building. The second building sustained minor damage. That night, patrons held a candlelight vigil outside the bar.

They looked on as parts of the brick building were demolished by a wrecking crew. The crew was attempting to make sure the fire was out, and removing dangerous pieces that could create a hazard if they fell to the ground. The cause of the fire was determined to be a burning mattress in a room on the third floor.

But there was also an unexplained ten foot hole in the dance floor of the Common Ground when firefighters arrived, and the basement underneath the bar was engulfed in flames. Despite several theories as to how this could happen, the Fire Chief at the time bar this unusual. Gay members of the community then and still today believe the actual cause of the fire was arson.

With a DJ, spacious dance floor, big screen TV and extensive music york, it hosted club nights, drag shows, and live entertainment. But Common Ground also served as a de facto community center for the area, holding weekend barbecues on the patio for individuals, couples and families of all ages, an annual Super Bowl Party, and frequent benefits for local LGBTQ organizations and community members in need.

Said Miller of his legacy in creating this important community space, as the bar changed hands,"We cater to everyone. Gay, lesbian and straight with the ithaca group from 18 to Well, it's the Common Ground. Please send change requests to changerequest pocketsights. Common Ground New Club original location, -W. State Street. Information Play Audio.