VALPARAISO, IND.

Production Date: Circa 1930 Source Type: Photograph Printer, Publisher, Photographer: Unknown Postmark: December 20, 1931, Valparaiso, Indiana Collection: Steven R. Shook Remark: The Lighthouse Barbecue and Oil Station No. 10 was situated at the intersection of Sturdy Road and Lincolnway, where the south end of the roundabout is now [2017] located. The BBQ business opened on February 2, 1929, and was owned and operated by Alpheus Americus Williams. Williams had previously served as a professor of mathematics and vice president of Valparaiso University. The business did not exist long, likely due to the effects of the Great Depression. The lighthouse was functional and served as an aviation beacon.

Note the misspelled "Dinning Room" signage on the left side of postcard. Perhaps it was a room of unpleasant noise rather than an eatery?

The following information concerning the lighthouse appears in the July 8, 1929, issue of The Vidette-Messenger:

CITY TO HAVE BEACON LIGHT Valparaiso will be included among the list of cities in this section to be charted in the aviator's guide, soon to be published.

It was learned today when announcement was made by the owners of the Lighthouse Barbecue, located at the intersection of Lincoln Highway and State Road 2, just east of the city, that three 2,200 watt lights would be placed in the new tower to be completed on their building.

The Foster Lumber and Coal company, of this city, which has the contract for the new tower, started work today. The new structure will rise 63 feet in the air. Lights in the tower will be visible for a considerable distance. A government permit to install the lights has been obtained.

The Light House Barbecue is enjoying a fine business at present, and under the new management many alterations have been made. The owners already operate three other places, at St. John, Indiana Harbor and Glen Ellyn, Ill. They plan to build two more, one latter part of the year at Dempster Road, north of Chicago, and one on the Dunes Highway.

Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana; July 8, 1929; Volume 3, Page 1, Column 8. Column titled "City To Have Beacon Light."