BLUE TRACTOR
Blue Christmas As the clocks wind back, the long dark chilly nights slowly emerge. Winter hibernation starts to look good and our needs and wants for dinner plans attract the simplicity of comfort food and a warm cozy atmosphere reminiscent of being right at home. The cure for these winter blues exists just down the road in the heart of old town Traverse City at Blue Tractor. In fact, framed on the wall is a quote: “Give people a place where they can relax, knock back a few, and enjoy great food.” Sounds perfect to me! Apparently, this is not news for a lot of people (who knew?), as the historic sign out front states (which I for one never noticed before). This site has been a local gathering place since 1886, when it was founded as Novotny’s Saloon by a lumberjack named Antoine Novotny. It was apparently the social center of the city’s south side. Life 32
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 | BAY LIFE NORTH
was good for Novotny’s until the dark years of Prohibition closed its doors. It was purchased in 1939 by William H. Dill who changed the name to Dill’s, and the bar now open with spirits flowing once again flourished. The second floor was even home to The Salvation Army and a dance hall, before a fire in 1978 destroyed the original wood building. A near replica was built 10 weeks later, which still stands today! Through all this history, the place has been a local mainstay to eat, drink and be merry! So it turns out it’s a long tradition, one that Blue Tractor of today prides itself on. Blue Tractor’s name is a tip of the hat to the original blue collar patrons of this historic site. The tractor is homage to the history of the farmers and the farm-to-table fresh produce they serve. Just in case you ever wondered, now you know.