Since 1947, the local Lansing bar that sports the same name as Blondie’s husband – Dagwood’s – has been a fond staple of the Lansing/East Lansing area. Why Dagwood’s and just who was Dagwood?
The building was constructed way back in 1901 and became the home of Nim’s Saloon. It was purchased in 1947 by Derwood Root, who wanted to name it after himself…but the name wasn’t working: nobody could correctly remember his name. So he named it after a similar-sounding name – Dagwood – which was easier for customers to remember, as the “Blondie” comic strip and movies were widely popular at the time.
As soon as they opened all those generations ago, they were an instant success, thanks to having something no other place in East Lansing had: an actual liquor license. Now, of-age college students could go down and legally tip some brews after class. It would take another 21 years – 1968 – for an East Lansing establishment to get another liquor license…