By THOMAS P. WEAVER, HORIZON Editor

PEA RIDGE-Fire destroyed a well-known landmark here overlooking Dale Hollow Lake early last Wednesday morning.  The home and one-time bed and breakfast restaurant was one of the “original lake-view mansions” built back in 1973 by late local attorney James Houston “Jimmy” Reneau III.

The unique structure was privately situated at the end of Jimmy Reneau road, which extends from highway 53 north near the Pea Ridge area of Clay County.  It sat atop the bluff between the Long Branch and Lick Run areas of the lake, offering breathtaking views of Dale Hollow.

The home sat empty for several years after Reneau’s death until Al and Lisa McLerran purchased it in 1995.  A couple of years later, the McLerran’s transformed a major portion of the home into the well-known bed and breakfast restaurant Candle Lit Manor, which was a popular dining destination for locals and tourists for some time until its closing.

Besides the Reneau and McLerran families, many others have fond memories of the one-of-a-kind landmark due to the fact numerous weddings and other events were held there over the years because of it’s historic beauty.

Pea Ridge, Celina, and East 52 volunteer fire departments responded to the scene after the fire was discovered before daybreak by locals John Martin and Tom Weir on their way to Burkesville, KY.

“We were headed towards Burkesville, and you could see the orange glow from the highway (53),” Martin said.  “Once we got down there and saw it was the house, Tom called 911.”

City of Celina Fire Marshall Elwood Ervin told the HORIZON Monday the home was not occupied at the time of the fire and he said no injuries were reported.

“The cause of the fire has yet to be determined,” Ervin said.  “It’s still under investigation.”

Photos submitted