From Cornwell’s Bar to Burke’s Pub

June 22, 2024

Let’s explore what may be the oldest operating bar in Benson. This was decades before the area was redeveloped and became the city’s new hot spot.

The story of Burke’s Pub starts with its home, the Peska Building at 6117 Maple Street. Built in 1897, it was named after Joseph Peska, an immigrant from Moravia (present-day Czech Republic) who came to the U.S. in 1880. 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. After that, the store changed hands a number of times but was mainly used to sell men’s and boy’s clothing under the names: 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 Avenue. By 1938 he moved his bar a tad southwest to 6117 Maple in the longtime clothing store. This marked the beginning of what may be the longest continually operating bar in Benson. The bar ran advertisements with a slogan of “where good people get together” while selling cases of Metz, Storz, Falstaff, Grain Belt, Hamm’s and Pabst Red, White and Blue for just $1.85. Cornwell was also known for using souvenir plates acquired from Fred Krug. Surprisingly, a customer could even renew their 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.

Cornwell sold the bar around 1945 though it continued to operate under the same name for another decade. He relocated to Bemidji, Minnesota, and ran a lodge before returning and operating bars in Florence and La Vista. The Marine vet was even named president of the Nebraska Licensed Beverage Association in 1963 and “Tavern Man of the Year” by the same organization in 1971.

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 after doing some extensive remodeling, 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 tradition consisted of the two businessmen collecting change from the checks they cashed, which they put into jars. As the holidays approached, they converted the change into cash and strung it above the bar as decoration. It had the added benefit of encouraging patrons to kick in a few bucks. The two men used the money to hold a party where they gave needy kids clothes, toys and candy. Their wives wrapped presents and made the arrangements while volunteers chauffeured the kids and their families to and from the bars. Kids were nearly disappointed one year after someone broke in and stole the $209 they had raised. Bruneteau was there to save the day and replaced the money out of his own pocket.

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

Stohlmann admitted that while it was a lot of work, it was worth it as they got to see the expressions on the kids’ faces. He went on to say that, “I always blubber like a big baby. I can’t help it.” Even though Stohlmann 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 storefront 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. Bourne 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 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