Monteagle Mountain's iconic Jim Oliver's Smoke House Restaurant and Trading Post - in operation since 1960 - burned to the ground Tuesday afternoon in a blaze that drew scores of firefighters from neighboring counties and communities.
The fire broke out around 4 p.m. CDT Tuesday in the rear area of the landmark restaurant, Monteagle Mayor Marilyn Campbell Rodman said Wednesday morning. The establishment now lies in smoldering ruins on the town's Main Street, near Interstate 24 where the restaurant's neon sign has called people to the dinner table for years.
Rodman said firefighters on the scene quickly started calling in mutual aid from agencies in nearby counties when they saw the size of the growing blaze.
The lodge portion of the business was saved, Rodman said, but the restaurant and gift shop familiar to most folks are a total loss.
"There were no injuries or deaths," she said.
Rodman said there were as many as two dozen agencies that responded, along with local residents who came to the scene to bring water for firefighters and others helping at the scene.
For Monteagle, "it's an incredible loss," Rodman said, noting the restaurant was in business before the town was incorporated in 1962. "It's one of our historical businesses. It's almost an historical site. How many people have come to Monteagle and haven't been to Jim Oliver's Smoke House?"
The Olivers' business has provided jobs and a road to the future for local residents for decades, she said.
The building housed a restaurant, gift shop and hundreds of pieces of antique furniture, tools and farm equipment in a country store setting with wood-clad walls and a farmhouse feel. The warm smell of the smokehouse permeated everything.
Founder Jim Oliver passed away in 2007, leaving the restaurant to his son, James, and his family. James Oliver expressed the family's loss on Facebook.
"With a broken heart to let everyone know that our beloved Smoke House restaurant in Monteagle, Tenn. has burned to the ground. Many of you know already is it has been in the news and it has been a devastating day for the entire Smoke House family. Please pray for the Olivers and the entire staff and community. It is a devastating loss in many ways. Thanks for everyone who tried to help us today," he posted.
The loss also hit hard for folks near and far.
"Monteagle Mountain has suffered a great loss," Grundy County Sheriff Clint Shrum posted on the department's social media page.
"The Smoke House fire is an unspeakable loss for the Oliver family, their employees and the town. My prayers are for each of you as you attempt to recover from this stupendous loss," Monteagle resident Kay Witt Sanders wrote.
For Greg Gunn, the place was part of growing up.
"Been going in there since I was a kid. My grandfather, Butch Hawkersmith, would ride me up on his Honda Gold Wing just about every Sunday for breakfast from the time I was 4 or 5 till 9 or 10," Gunn posted.
"It was part of my childhood and it meant so much to me to go. It was our little deal. Been going ever since. Many people have had those same kind of experiences with that building. Jim would always come out and speak just to say hello and thank you," Gunn wrote. "I guess you could say it was part of my upbringing. My heart goes out to y'all. I can't imagine the loss you feel. I hope you find comfort in the fact that there are probably many many stories like mine in regards to the restaurant that people will remember past and present. I really hope that it will be replaced, rebuilt and reestablished. It truly was an I-24 and Tennessee icon."
The smoke house was a cherished memory for people passing through, too.
"I live in Indiana and for the last 38 years of my life we stop here on our way to Florida. I have memories here from a kid with my parents to me with my own kids. Prayers for all of you. I hope you rebuild," Kelly Pfender Clark posted on the restaurant's Facebook page.
According to reports in the Grundy County Herald newspaper, smoke from the fire on Tuesday could be seen from as far away as Winchester in Franklin County and the Arnold Air Force Base in Coffee County.
Agencies assisting Monteagle firefighters Tuesday included firefighters from Cowan, Alto-Oak Grove, Winchester and Decherd in Franklin County, Tracy City in Grundy County and South Pittsburg and Jasper in Marion County, the newspaper reported.
Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569. Follow him on Twitter @BenBenton or at www.facebook.com/benbenton1.