Cedar Rapids firefighters work at the scene of a fire at the Lighthouse Inn, 6905 Mount Vernon Rd. SE, on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

NOTE: A GoFundMe has been started for the owner of the Lighthouse Inn, with a goal of $30,000.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A landmark supper club, said to be the oldest in Iowa, has been destroyed by fire.

The Lighthouse Inn, on the edge of Cedar Rapids at 6905 Mount Vernon Rd. SE, opened in 1912.

Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner said a passerby called 911 at 5:15 a.m. Aug. 14, 2024, to report smoke and flames coming from the building.

Gardner said the state Fire Marshal’s Office was on the scene, but a cause was unknown as of this morning. The Cedar Rapids Fire Department responded, with about 20 firefighters containing the blaze, he said.

Portions of Mount Vernon Road were closed for most of the morning, with hose lines extending at least one-half mile to water hydrants. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

No one was inside at the time, he noted, and no injuries were reported.

Gardner said two aerial platforms were also used, and firefighters who initially attacked the fire from inside were called back out when it was deemed unsafe.

Owner Steve McAtee, who had posted Tuesday on Facebook that the restaurant would be closed that day due to illness, was at the scene this morning, along with other family members and employees. The supper club had just celebrated its 112th anniversary last month.

A Facebook post after the fire stated: “Our hearts are deeply saddened to inform you all of the devastating fire that we experienced today, August 14th at the Lighthouse Inn Supper Club. This restaurant has served our community for 112 years. The memories, love, and history from near and far will never be forgotten. However, we are very thankful and blessed for all our safety and health. At this time we are in disbelief without any answers. As we work diligently to provide the best care for the Lighthouse Inn, we kindly ask for your prayers…”

Located on the Lincoln Highway, infamous patrons said to have dined at the fabled supper club in its early history included gangsters Al Capone and John Dillinger, whose gun went off, leaving a hole in the wall, according to the Lighthouse Inn’s website.

Cabins previously were located behind the restaurant for rental and two stone “lighthouses” were destroyed years ago when a truck driver fell asleep at the wheel.

See: Iowa River Power Restaurant’s final day and more photos from the Lighthouse Inn fire, below: