We actually decided it would be a great drive so plugged the address in the GPS and were on our way to an Oregon adventure. It was a beautiful drive and we really enjoyed this unexpected jaunt.
And Hamleys didn't dissapoint us either - it was a most fun place to explore and have dinner. Hamley and Co. is actually two businesses - a store and a steakhouse.
The Hamley history is impressive. It goes back many generations to Cornwall England where the trade of saddle and leather craftsmanship was passed down through many generations of Hamleys.
The American history of the Hamleys began in 1850 when William Hamley moved his family from England to Ripon, Wisconsin, where he opened a small leather goods store. William’s two sons, John James (J.J.) and Henry Hamley set out from Wisconsin in 1883 with two railroad tickets and $10.00 in cash, bound for Ashton, South Dakota where they established Hamley and Co.
In 1905 John James relocated to Pendleton, Oregon and set up shop on the Oregon Trail in the same building that exists to this day.
Hamley was known as a harness and saddle maker, but the business soon developed around its saddles and became known throughout the west as the maker of “the finest saddles man could ride”.
The American history of the Hamleys began in 1850 when William Hamley moved his family from England to Ripon, Wisconsin, where he opened a small leather goods store. William’s two sons, John James (J.J.) and Henry Hamley set out from Wisconsin in 1883 with two railroad tickets and $10.00 in cash, bound for Ashton, South Dakota where they established Hamley and Co.
In 1905 John James relocated to Pendleton, Oregon and set up shop on the Oregon Trail in the same building that exists to this day.
Hamley was known as a harness and saddle maker, but the business soon developed around its saddles and became known throughout the west as the maker of “the finest saddles man could ride”.
The saddle shop still produces handmade custom saddles and we really enjoyed viewing the shop with several saddles in various stages of production.
The rest of the store is filled with western gear, clothing and antiques, and is complete with spittoons and pulley-operated ceiling fans.
The steakhouse is next door and was an adventure itself. It is stunning after being extensively refurbished in 2006. It is designed to resemble an old western saloon complete with swinging doors, impressive woodwork everywhere, tin ceilings, copper hoods and a very magnificent old bars unit they found in Grangeville Idaho.
There is also a stunning Western bank front that separates the bar area from the restaurant. It was found in South Dakota and has an interesting history all it's own as the last bank robbed by Butch Cassidy.
Towards the back of the building is a stone-lined winding stairway down to an incredible private dining wine room that can be reserved for private events. Very nice!
What really appealed to Gary is that they serve hand-cut dry aged steaks.
Our steak was delicious, but our server was none too brilliant which was a bummer. It was only her second nite so I'll cut her some slack on that, but it was disappointing to have less than great service.
We really enjoyed our unplanned adventure in Oregon and would recommend you visit Hamley's when you're in Pendelton. It's not just a steakhouse, it's an event.
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