Why did saloons have these swinging doors? (Is it even accurate they had these?) It looks very impractical as the dust from outside would constantly be blown in by the wind

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Why did saloons have these swinging doors? (Is it even accurate they had these?) It looks very impractical as the dust from outside would constantly be blown in by the wind

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40 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

They served many purposes, which is why they were used on many places, including shops. The double-swing doors are easy to open from either side, even with your hands full (one reason you still see them on restaurants, today, particularly between the kitchen and the main room). They let in some cooler air, and helped air out a smoky barroom (back when they didn’t have A/C or even electric fans). They offered a bit of a barrier, yet let people know the place was open and they were welcome to come in and grab a drink or buy supplies. All good reasons they were so popular.

Anonymous 0 Comments

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Anonymous 0 Comments

They served many purposes, which is why they were used on many places, including shops. The double-swing doors are easy to open from either side, even with your hands full (one reason you still see them on restaurants, today, particularly between the kitchen and the main room). They let in some cooler air, and helped air out a smoky barroom (back when they didn’t have A/C or even electric fans). They offered a bit of a barrier, yet let people know the place was open and they were welcome to come in and grab a drink or buy supplies. All good reasons they were so popular.

Anonymous 0 Comments

There’s an older thread that got many answers: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1bu8rt/are_the_saloon_doors_in_western_movies_accurate/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Anonymous 0 Comments

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Anonymous 0 Comments

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Anonymous 0 Comments

How did they keep people from coming in during the night to steal or vandalize?

Anonymous 0 Comments

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Anonymous 0 Comments

Double-swinging doors are still used in restaurants today – they can be used with your hands full.

Saloon doors did exist. The design allowed ventilation and cross-breezes (before AC) to keep the inside cool and air out smoke or other smells. It also allowed people to hear and see the place was open, much like how modern shop doors are made with glass.

If you Google “saloon door history” you shoild find some good articles

Anonymous 0 Comments

There’s an older thread that got many answers: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1bu8rt/are_the_saloon_doors_in_western_movies_accurate/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button