The Lusk Herald, October 18, 1945

G.A. Turner Opens Buckaroo Night Club at Van Tassell

Beginning last night, G.A. Turner presented the opening programs of the Buckaroo Night Club at Van Tassell, thought to be one of the most elaborate night spots of Wyoming or western sections of the adjacent states.

At considerable investment, Mr. Turner has converted the former property  into a modernistic building, finished in Egyptian stucco, and decorated with vari-colored neon lights, which feature the outline of a bucking broncho.

The interior is a 25x65 dining and dancing room, lighted in soft-colored lights. Orchestra platform and stage to the front is terraced off to the main floor. Floor of the dining section is carpeted. Booths along north, west and east walls are upholstered in genuine leather, matching the wainscoting about the walls, are in pastels of alternating cream, mauve and buff shades.  

Great detail has been given the lighting, to accentuate the interior decoration and provide either the dancing atmosphere or the display for floor shows.

The bar is the west front room of the building and is equipped with the latest furnishings. The matter of equipping the kitchen has taken considerable investment.

Reservations for the opening nights were sold out in advance, though such reservations are not necessary to get in for dancing.

Opening show this week end is featuring Chick and Charlene Johnson, experts at singing and playing their electric Spanish guitars; Milo Taggs and Company , novelty punching bag and juggling act, and the four Kessler Sisters, out of Chicago Chez Paree Club, in some tap dance numbers, Bill Grubbe orchestra from Scottsbluff is the opening dance band.

Jerry Turner has said for some time that he would like to have a place where he could serve the best and unusual meals, and the Buckaroo combines that feature with "chicken in the basket."

To make this type of establishment possible, it was necessary for Mr. Turner to install his own water and light system, for which he is using both diesel and wind power.

The opening on schedule has been accomplished despite numerous obstacles of war-time shortages in help and materials, and represents one of the largest business undertakings of this area in a number of years. 

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The Lusk Herald, October 1, 1950

Buckaroo Sold to Copelands

Mr. and Mrs. G.L. Copeland have purchased The Buckaroo from Mr. and Mrs. William Henritze effective today.

Copelands come her from the Big Horn Basin where he has been engaged in oil field work, and are former residents of Lance Creek where approximately 20 years ago he was employed by the Mule Creek Oil Co.

Henritzes have operated the Buckaroo since 1948 when they moved to Lusk from Denver. Until recently Mr. Henzrite was manager of the Lusk Safeway store but he was promoted to manager of a new store which was opened at Casper.The Henritzes boys, Lennie, a NCHS junior, and Kayo, a NCHS sophomore, plan to remain in Lusk until the end of the present school semester and then move to Casper. 

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The Lusk Herald, October 13, 1966

Buckaroo Burns Sunday

The Buckaroo Night Club at Van RTassell burned to the ground about 3:15 Sunday morning by a fire of unknown origin. The property is owned by William Henritze of Casper and formerly of Lusk, but has not been used since 1965. The fire was discovered by Mr. and Mrs. Keith Zimmerman and >r. and Mrs. Ronald Grote of Harrison who were returning from Lusk, They drove a mile to the John Bruegger ranch, and awakened Mr. Bruegger who called the fire alarm in to Lusk.

Mrs. Lawrence Adams, Herald correspondent for South of Van Tassell, reported that no one living close to the Buckaroo was home except Melvin Lewis who is a heavy sleeper and could not be roused. Mr. and Mrs. Lester Lewis were away. The Risings were visiting in Crawford and the Adams family were in Torrington. Dale Miller, Clarence Siebken and Kenneth Seibkin were the first to arrive at the fire in response to Mr. Bruegger's call. The entire interior of the building was blazing fiercely before the Lusk Fire Department would drive the 19 miles. The Harrison people first thought they were running into fog before smelling the smoke. 

The building had not been used since March of 1965 and was not connected with electricity. Nor was it insured. Deputy Sheriff and fireman Harold Rogers said only a broken window indicated that anyone might have gotten into the building. He has notified State Fire Marshall Ed Bradley of the fire, and he will be here this Thursday to investigate. It is known that bums traveling along the highway occasionally got into the building.

Mr. Henritze came down from Casper Sunday to investigate for himself and visited friends in the vicinity.

The Buckaroo was built by G.A. Turner and opened in October 1945. It was later bought by M.R. Avery and leased in 1948 to Mr. Henritze who later purchased the property in 1956. Periodically raided for gambling activity, licensing became a question and operation became unprofitable. 

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The Lusk Herald, April 7, 1983

"The Buckaroo Bar added to the glamour of the community by serving gallons of beer and spirits across what was claimed to be the longest bar in the state of Wyoming. " 

Van Tassell, Wyoming

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The Lusk Herald, May 27, 2026

Explore Niobrara

Did you know that Van Tassell once had a Burlesque Bar?

By Leslie Stewart

Tiny Van Tassell once boasted a nightclub that some claimed was the best such entertainment site west of Omaha. The Buckaroo Bar, also known as the Buckaroo Club and the Buckaroo Nite Club, was established in 1947. It offered fine food in the cafe~ and alcohol at what some said was the longest bar in Wyoming. By the 1960's, it also featured exotic dancers with live bands on Friday and Saturday nights and occasional stag nights. One advertised dancer was Pixie Regan, "The Cutest Little Nudist in the Land."

Are you curious about what became of the Buckaroo Bar? For those details and even more information about Van Tassell, join us for "A Day in the Life of Van Tassell" on June 14. This part of Niobrara County's celebration of the nation's 250th anniversary.