A Little History of the Ore House Building

Our Thanks to the Oracle Historical Society and board member John Hernandez for the following information on the history of this iconic building.  John originally published this article for the CopperArea.com website.

John Hernandez via email;

“It was originally a residence owned by Juan and Juanita Garcia. An addition was added to it and a drive thru liquor store was opened. One of their sons Rito then opened what became Don Juan’s named after Juan Garcia.

I have since found out that the original residential building was transported from Sonora which was the Mexican section of Ray now buried under the open pit mine. Two previous owners were Ada Mae Rhodes and Frank Parker.”

Here’s an excerpt from John’s original published story;

Don Juan’s bar was once a favorite hangout for the hard working miners in the area. There was a time when miners were allowed to run tabs at the bar and then made sure to pay them off on pay day. Many even cashed their mine paychecks at the bar.

The miners from Tucson that worked at Magma would stop after work on their way home for a round or two and a six pack to go. Those days are gone, but the memories still live on.

Don Juan’s, (now the Ore House Hilltop Tavern) has been in Oracle since the 1950s. It originally was a residential home. Juan and Juanita M. Garcia owned what was known as Garcia’s Oracle Tavern down the hill from where Don Juan’s is located. It was in the old abandoned building which was last known as Maria’s Mesquite. Word has it that Garcia’s was renowned for their Mexican food. One of the family son’s Rito turned the house into a drive through liquor store which was added onto and eventually became Don Juan’s bar named for his father Juan.

. . . Much has been learned about the history of Don Juan’s, (now the Ore House) and Oracle from talking with the customers. They could name some of the previous owners and also heard the stories of people driving over the cliff when parking or trying to leave the now-fenced parking lot.

They have kept the place much as it used to be, with a few added touches. Some of the walls have old mining equipment and memorabilia hanging on them and there is a fireplace inside and a large patio with a great view of the Oracle sunsets.