Cabell County Public Library

This week’s local history spotlight recognizes The Shamrock, a historic gay bar that opened in Bluefield in 1964. Opened by Helen Compton, The Shamrock was cultivated as a safe space for q***r individuals after Compton realized that the local LGBTQ+ community had no local establishments. While The Shamrock is now known as one of West Virginia’s first gay bars, it was always known as a q***r space. When it first opened, The Shamrock would serve as a working class diner that served the general community. Around 6:00 every night, Compton would begin closing the diner side of the establishment in order to switch operations over to a nightclub atmosphere, keeping the original purpose of the establishment largely hidden from their daylight patrons. In 1970, The Shamrock would begin hosting Drag shows and pageants, further showcasing their support of the community. While the original building has now been demolished, artifacts from the Shamrock have been preserved at the One Thin Dime Museum of Bluefield. The stories of The Shamrock have also been immortalized in a short documentary by artist Carol Burch-Brown entitled “It's Reigning Queens in Appalachia.”

Tomorrow is the big day! The Friends of the Library's Book Sale starts tomorrow, June 5 at 10am.