The current establishment, Pete’s Tavern, has been serving patrons since 1945, but the building itself has a much older history. The original wooden structures in Nampa’s historic downtown business district likely date back to the late 1800s. With the city's founding in 1885, some sources suggest that this row of buildings was constructed in 1886 to establish a commercial hub. However, on July 3, 1909, a massive fire devastated the entire downtown block between 12th and 13th Avenues and 1st and Front Streets. When the area was rebuilt, brick replaced the original wooden structures.

Early businesses in this location included a butcher shop, an essential general store, and a Chinese laundry, reflecting the significant presence of Chinese workers who came for railroad and construction jobs.

During Prohibition, the building housed a secret speakeasy at the back. A concealed room, sealed off by a thick wooden wall and door, provided a discreet gathering space for patrons seeking illegal alcohol. The business operating in the front discreetly ran one of Nampa’s underground drinking establishments, with customers entering through the now-famous wooden door, which still features its original peephole. This hidden area, now known as "The Cave," remains a preserved piece of the building’s past.

Following Prohibition, the Owyhee Lounge took up residence in the space, operating until 1945 when Pete’s Tavern was established, becoming the beloved local watering hole it remains today.