The Lighthouse Restaurant is a bright spot on a great drive through the countryside. It was originally opened in 1968 by Babe and Kathleen Porter. Originally meant to be a "short order" restaurant, things quickly changed when customers would see "farm hands" eating good southern style food prepared by Kathleen.  They wanted the home cooked food that they had.  So it began - Family style meals. The Porter's had the business until around 1984.

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In 1985, Mitchell and Norma Ervin purchased the restaurant from Kathleen Porter. Norma felt like God was leading her into this new endeavor. After the purchase Norma named the restaurant "The Lighthouse," even though there are no oceans nearby she felt this was what the Restaurant should be named. The Ervin's were into farming and the timber business. Everything from milking cows, growing produce, cutting wood and long hard work days. Mitchell would raise a lot of the produce.  Homegrown Tomatoes were a thing people come to expect - Big Ones.  

 

Mitchell passed away in 1996 and was followed by Norma Ervin Chaney in 2017. Mitchell and Norma were loved by many and fed a multitude of happy customers at the Lighthouse. Their legacy still lives on to this day, and will forever be loved and missed greatly.

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Their youngest daughter, Tammy and her husband Rodney now own the restaurant. They head a talented group of cooks that make country ham, fried chicken and catfish that has won several awards.

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Be sure to enjoy the scenic ride to the award winning Lighthouse Restaurant.  After a fine dinner, stroll across the road to the historic Sulphur Well Park.  Enjoy the Historic site and drink from the famous Sulphur Well fountain!

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This Sulphur well was discovered in 1845 by Ezekial Neal, who was drilling for salt water. When he reached a depth of 180ft, pressure shot water upward, shafting over top of a large sycamore tree.  The stream of water has flowed continually since then. Besides salt, the water contained sulphur, magnesium, and iron. This combination of minerals was used by many for its medicinal value, ability to cure stomach problems and even rumored to be the fountain of youth. The constant water supply is not affected by cold, heat, rain, or drought.