Stuffed at the Toga

topofthehillman Dec 17, 2010 15 Comments

OK, seeing you guys know everything … what’s the story behind the stuffed “animals” (ground hogs? gophers?) at the Club Saratoga. I’ve “only” lived in Duluth 25 winters and every time I’m in there (did I just out myself as a Toga regular?!) I wonder about their origin. Anyone have the knowledge?

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15 Comments

Paul Lundgren

about 12 years ago 

Here's a photo of the Club Saratoga's rodent taxidermy:



I don't know if there's a story behind it beyond the owner probably thinking, "This is awesome. I will put it in my bar." But I suppose it had to come from somewhere and we ought to find out.

No Good Bum

about 12 years ago 

Perhaps PDD should have a safety meeting at the 'Toga tonight.

Jeff P

about 12 years ago 

Do they have stuffed Beaver?

Sorry, it had to be asked!

Ivan

about 12 years ago 

Is this related to the cover of the Weekly which has two ground beavers making out under the mistletoe?  Its pretty cute..., must be national gopher awareness week. A pesky gopher can knock out power to a whole city, so naturally they should be given more respect.

ruby2sd4y

about 12 years ago 

Something to "shoot" at.

Sherman

about 12 years ago 

This is one of my favorite "hidden" things in Duluth.  I'm pretty sure they are all albino chipmunks.  Which would mean somebody spent a lot of time hunting down albino chipmunks.

greg cougar conley

about 12 years ago 

I don't really know if there is any hidden meaning to the stunning collection of taxidermy housed at Club Saratoga, but I do know that it was once in vogue for bars in the upper Midwest to have stuff like that on display. I've seen similar set-ups in other bars that also follow the 'Toga's model of non-remodel.

baci

about 12 years ago 

Hands off my albino chipmunk

Jade

about 12 years ago 

As a former employee, the story we were told was that these stuffed chipmunks were given to the previous owner (Jim) and he had them over the piano for years.  As time went on, the piano and owners changed, but the chipmunks came with the bar when it was sold to the current owners. I'm not sure which has been part of the club longer, the chipmunks or Bev, the door lady?!

Timk

about 12 years ago 

They look like the handywork of former newspaper gadfly Jimmy Luhm.

Drifter

about 12 years ago 

They are ermine, not  chipmunks.

baci

about 12 years ago 

Albino Ermine is my new bands name, anyone in?

adam

about 12 years ago 

Chipmunks have been there longer. Bev's been there less than 15 years.

JdB

about 12 years ago 

I miss HotCha Hinton and Pepsi.

B-man

about 12 years ago 

I'm not sure they are albino, I think they were "normal" chipmunks/ ermine and the florescent light that has been shining on them for 200 years has bleached the color out of the fur.  Check the shadows, the fur is still dark.  

I love to show this odd display to out of town friends when we go to the 'Toga for "jazz."

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