Understandably, Texas is full of abandoned buildings – I mean, some places are bound to get left behind in a state that’s 900 miles across. However, not many of these deserted buildings have a history as unique as Dick and Charlie’s Tea Room. Located in the middle of Caddo Lake, this dilapidated shack that looks like something straight out of a gruesome horror film used to serve as a speakeasy during Prohibition. Take a look:
The building was constructed right on the county line in the 1800s and served as a speakeasy during Prohibition from 1919-1933.
Flickr/celestemarie Marion County, on the west side of the water and the location of the town of Uncertain, was dry. Right across the lake in Harrison County, however, alcohol was allowed, so people would take row boats across the way to Dick and Charlie’s for drinks and dancing.
Apparently, Dick and Charlie themselves used to stay here even after Prohibition was over.
Flickr/msmccarthyphotography It was only during football season, but it was still an astonishing feat considering the tea room’s dilapidated conditions. There was no running water, so they brought a tank filled with 300 gallons with them. And somehow, even without working electricity, they were able to plug in a TV to watch the games.
Easily the most unique part of the tea room is the sign posted out front.
Flickr/sookiebontemps It reads, “House Rules: 1. There ain’t none. 2. There never was none. 3. There ain’t never gonna be none.” If that isn’t one of the most stereotypical Texan things you’ve ever heard, I’m not sure what is.
See how Dick and Charlie’s looks today in this video of someone paddling past it on the lake:
Flickr/celestemarie
Marion County, on the west side of the water and the location of the town of Uncertain, was dry. Right across the lake in Harrison County, however, alcohol was allowed, so people would take row boats across the way to Dick and Charlie’s for drinks and dancing.
Flickr/msmccarthyphotography
It was only during football season, but it was still an astonishing feat considering the tea room’s dilapidated conditions. There was no running water, so they brought a tank filled with 300 gallons with them. And somehow, even without working electricity, they were able to plug in a TV to watch the games.
Flickr/sookiebontemps
It reads, “House Rules: 1. There ain’t none. 2. There never was none. 3. There ain’t never gonna be none.” If that isn’t one of the most stereotypical Texan things you’ve ever heard, I’m not sure what is.
Have you ever paddled past Dick and Charlie’s Tea Room? If not, would you dare to?
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