Old restaurant, new owners
New Sprag Pole owners Eric and Kippie Corta stand outside the near century-and-a-half old building in Murray. The Sprag Pole will be opening up with regular hours beginning in May.
Photo by JOSH McDONALD
Clocking in with one hamburger patty, one ham steak, two crispy strips of bacon, a fried egg, caramelized onions, and American cheese all between two toasted buns… ladies and gentlemen I give you — the Almquist. This delicious burger with fries on the side can be found at the Sprag Pole Bar in Murray.
MURRAY — One of Shoshone County’s oldest and more popular restaurants is under new ownership.
The Sprag Pole Bar was purchased by Eric and Kippie Corta in March, and is opening back up just in time for the busy North Fork tourist season.
Purchasing the 138-year-old building wasn’t the initial plan for the Corta’s, but fate would have it — an opportunity presented itself.
The Corta’s originally came to Murray to look at a nearby gold claim — which didn’t come to fruition, but after purchasing a couple different parcels in the area, what initially was going to be potentially gold mining and camping turned into the place that they wanted to call home.
Both Eric and Kippie maintained jobs throughout their transition, but in June of last year Eric decided to retire — not one to sit idly by, a restlessness kept him stirring.
“We were going to buy the Bedroom (Goldmine — another popular Murray restaurant) and it just didn’t work out,” Eric said. “I had retired last June and I was getting bored. It was either start a new company or buy this and it kinda just fell into our lap.”
Kippie, an 18-year nursing veteran, had gotten burnt out on the medical world and was looking for something new to challenge herself.
In a fully remodeled kitchen, with plenty of new equipment, the Sprag Pole is ready to handle the revolving door of customers that flock to the tiny town and Kippie is excited to be cooking for them.
“We’re getting everything set up and ready to go and I absolutely love it so far,” Kippie said. “I cooked commercially a bit as a teenager, and a little bit at the Bedroom Goldmine. But mostly it’s been for family and friends — and I love cooking.”
Not counting their full bar selections, the Sprag Pole menu features something for everyone, including delicious burgers and sandwiches (try the Almquist — you will not be disappointed), fried finger foods, and other specialty country-style options that will have you planning your next trip before your current one is over.
The bar and restaurant is connected to one of Murray’s landmark attractions, the Sprag Pole Museum. Even with the buildings being conjoined, the Cortas didn’t buy the museum portion of the building — which remains under the ownership of the Almquist family.
The Sprag Pole Museum features homages to life in the old mining town, which at one point was home to 5,000 people including Maggie Hall, better known as Molly B’Damn.
Patrons of the restaurant can meander through the many exhibits before sitting down, after they’ve ordered, or as a way to walk off the hearty meal they just ate for nothing more than a donation as they see fit.
The Sprag Pole Bar is located at 6300 Prichard Creek Road in Murray.
Beginning May 1, the Sprag Pole will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hours may be adjusted during the summer season.
For more information visit their website www.restaurantji.com/id/wallace/sprag-pole-restaurant-and-inn-/.
