The Latitude 44 building has a long and interesting history.
Built in 1918 during the bank boom of World War I, the building was the home to Stockyard State Bank until the 1920s, when the bank closed and it became a grocery warehouse.
In the 1930s and 40s it was owned by two guys named Ray and Mick – hence the “Raymik Bar” name. In 1950, it was bought by Chuck Page and renamed Stockman’s Bar, eventually becoming known for its live entertainment.
The area became run-down in the late ‘80s and ‘90s and the bar – then owned by Charley Johnston, became an eyesore before it closed in 1998.
It reopened for a short time afterward but has, for the most part, remained vacant.
In 2003, the owners of Great Plains Coffee Roasting Co. bought the building and announced plans to put a coffee shop in it, but they decided not to and sold it to Gourley and a partner, Cyndy Evans, earlier this year.
The most recent work is the installation of a maple floor with wood that was original flooring from classrooms at the old Washington High School.
An old wall mural painted in the 1950s featuring dancing dogs graces the back wall.
