Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Jeff Espedal takes a break from restoration. He and his father, Scott, hope to have the building ready to sell to someone with a dream for the space in the next few months.
There is still a lot to do at the River Rat Tap, but right angles are popping up everywhere now that Jeff Espedal is giving the old structure some love and attention.
The River Rat Tap is standing a little straighter these days thanks to developer Scott Espedal and his son, Jeff.
According to Jeff, the Tap came into their hands when the former owner of the old bar contacted his father about a trade. He was interested in several leftover lots that the elder Espedal had after building homes at Glengate Loop. Espedal agreed.
"We're from Portland but we love it down here," Jeff said.
Jeff has a masters in teaching but wants to keep a hand in the family business. He arrived this winter to begin work at his father's request and has been living in an RV nearby. He's been doing most of the demolition himself, taking down an addition, taking down walls, fixing the deck. Others have come in to help when needed.
"The pilings were rotten," Jeff said. "We've been replacing them."
The Tap was built in the 1890s, according to the Espedals. The floorboards are solid and thick, and they have found some hand forged square head nails.
They are using jacks and cables to slowly add tension and bring the building upright. Jeff pointed to a spot on the floor where someone had added floorboards in an attempt to make it appear level at one time. They are no longer needed and have been removed.
The dance floor is still upstairs. A sign from its heyday as a skating rink lay on the floor. They plan to leave that space with its light and high peaked ceiling in its original state.
This is Jeff's first experience doing this kind of restoration work, and he's learning a lot.
"We replaced everything underneath so it's all level," Scott said. "We're going to put all new windows in, re-side it, put down new flooring in here and just leave a shell."
"We're thinking about selling it," Jeff said. "Dad started a project in Kennewick. I'm going to move there and build houses, so hopefully we can get this sold or rented before we move."
He expects the work to be done in two or three months.
"Hopefully someone in the community can do something great for it," he added. "We're not from here and we're hoping there will be local interest."
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