From Cornwell’s Bar to Burke’s Pub

June 22, 2024

Built in 1897, the Peska Building at 6117 Maple Street was named after Joseph Peska who was born in Moravia (present day Czech Republic) in 1860 and immigrated to the United States when he was 20. While first settling in Nebraska, he moved to Virginia and Minnesota before returning. Back in Omaha he worked 12 years for Brandeis.

Photo of the Benson Cash Store before it became a clothing store. This is now home to Burke’s Pub. Photo courtesy of Durham Museum.

That same year Joseph opened a general merchandise store called the Benson Cash Store. He continued to operate the store until he passed away in 1925. The store changed hands a number of times after that but mainly was used to sell men’s and boy’s clothing. Some of the business names included Chleborad Brothers, C. N. Wolfe & Son, Leslie Berry and Irving’s. By 1930 it was operated as the Outlet Store which was forced to close a year later. It served as one location for J & M Motor Supply Company until 1938.

Photo of Mayne (Maple) Street between 1905-1910. The Benson Cash Store is on the far right. This is now the home to Burke’s Pub which can be seen on the far right. Courtesy of Lana Labs Flood Miller.

After moving from Kansas, George Cornwell later opened Cornwell Bar & Cafe at 6116 Military Ave (it was renamed from road to avenue by this time). Three years later in 1938 he moved his bar a tad southwest to 6117 Maple in the longtime clothing store. This marked the beginning of what is among the longest continually operating bars in Benson. The bar ran advertisements with a slogan of “where good people get together”. It also advertised selling cases of Metz, Storz, Falstaff, Grain Belt, Hamm’s and Pabst Red, White and Blue for just $1.85. It was also known for using souvenir plates acquired from Fred Krug. Apparently, you could even renew your driver’s license at the bar in 1941!

1940 photograph looking inside George Cornwell’s Bar. At this time, the bar was still located on the east wall. This is now home to Burke’s Pub. Courtesy Lana Labs Flood Miller.

George sold the bar around 1945 though it continued to operate under the same name for another decade. George would relocate to Bemidji, Minnesota to run a lodge before returning and operating bars in Florence and La Vista. He was named the president of the Nebraska Licensed Beverage Association in 1963 and “Tavern Man of the Year” by the same organization in 1971. In addition to serving in the Marines, George ran for legislature and lieutenant governor and served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

1940 Durham Museum photo looking south from Maple Street at Cornwell Bar on the left and Schillder Drugs on the right. Both are now the home to Burke’s Pub.

Victor Stohlmann opened Vic’s Well in 1957. He did some extensive remodeling of the building which included replacing the front and installing a 45-foot long bar on the opposite wall. Vic and another Benson owner, Mud Bruneteau, were well known for the Christmas parties and gifts they would give to underprivileged children.

June 2024 photo of 6117 and 6119 Maple Street. In the 1940’s the left side was George Cornwell Bar and the right was Schiller Drugs. Today both are the home to Burke’s Pub.

The two businessmen would collect change from the checks they cashed and put it into jars. As the holidays approached, they would convert the change into cash and string them above the bar as decoration. It also served as encouragement for patrons to kick in a few bucks. They would then use the money to hold a party where they would give kids clothes, toys and candy. Volunteers chauffeured the kids and families to and from the bar while wives contributed by wrapping presents and making arrangements. Sadly, someone broke into Mud’s bar one year and stole the $209 he had strung up. Mud, of course, replaced the money from his own pocket.

Closeup of the recessed door and display cases at Burke’s Pub. This was once the home to Schiller Drugs.

Vic admitted that while it was a lot of work, it was worth it as they got to see the expression on the kids’ faces. He went on to say that, “I always blubber like a big baby. I can’t help it.” Even though Vic passed away in 1966, the bar continued to operate as The Well until at least 1979.

Looking north inside Burke’s Pub. Maple Street runs along the front of the building. Courtesy of Sara Cartwright.

More recently it was named The R Bar until 2007. That year Greg Bourne, who had operated a clock store next door, bought the adjacent store front and opened Burke’s Pub in both spaces. The redecorated Irish Sports bar was named in honor of his grandfather who immigrated from Ballyshannon, Ireland in 1905. He filled the interior with family photos of Grandpa Burke in addition to other items he had collected over the years. He sold Burke’s to brothers Joe and Bill Carmichael who opened 1912 a few doors to the west in 2010.

Looking south from inside Burke’s Pub. Originally the bar along the opposite wall. Courtesy of Sara Cartwright.

Burke’s Pub remains a popular neighborhood bar that is among the oldest in Benson. These days it is known for its apple pie shots and while it can get busy on the weekends and during events, it remains a casual place where you can catch up with a good friend. It was rated as being one of the best bars for a conversation by The Reader in 2023. If that’s not your thing, you can find entertainment options including pool, darts and pinball in the side room. At one point it even had a resident dog named Sam to greet customers.

Looking into the side room at Burke’s Pub with pool table, televisions and other forms of entertainment. Courtesy of Sara Cartwright.

Content written by Omaha Exploration. Feel free to leave a comment or to let me know if there’s something you want me to explore. Until then, keep exploring

Bonus pics

1961 Benson Sun photograph of Mud and Vic holding the Christmas money they collected for underprivilged children.

1951 Durham Museum photo looking east on Maple Street. The sign for Cornwell Bar is lit up on the far right. This is now home to Burke’s Pub.

1927 Benson Times ad for C. N. Wolfe & Sons when they occupied the building that is now Burke’s Pub.

1916 map of Benson. The red square shows where the Burke’s Pub building is located. Main Street is now referred to as Maple Street.

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