In 1863, during the Civil War, a man by the name of C.B. Eaton appeared on the scene in Grafton. It was he who built the pub. Originally named The River House, the fine establishment was better known as The Bloody Bucket.

The infamous saloon had a reputation of harboring an assembly of treacherous and virulent characters taken from the pages of history during the distressing era of the Civil War. Bloodthirsty murderers, Bushwackers, Jayhawkers, Horse Thieves and other corrupt outlaws of various descriptions found hideouts in the hills, caves, hollows and islands of Grafton, Illinois. Jesse James and his gang were no strangers to Grafton or The Bloody Bucket.

Murder was commonplace at The Bucket; the nearby Mississippi swept away countless lifeless bodies. Gambling, whiskey, and fights over women were usually to blame for the bloodshed.

Have a drink, listen to live music, and reminisce on the dark history of the bucket at the modern retelling of Grafton's most infamous watering hole!

Check out the Bloody Bucket's live music & event calendar HERE!