Staff writer

Much of downtown Leitchfield is listed with the Historical Society, including the Lighthouse Cafe. When Vicki Vaughan and her husband, Jimmy, bought the house/restaurant they had dreams of restoring the building to its original glory.

The day after The Lighthouse opened Jimmy was diagnosed with cancer. After his death in June, Vicki found working in the restaurant a salve to her soul. She had fallen in love with the building the moment they had bought it.

Now with half of herself gone, she is putting her all into the house. She is bound and determined to complete the dream she and Jimmy had of restoring the house and getting it listed individually on the Historical Society's list.

The Victorian home was built in the 1890's and when the restoration is finished will resemble the Jack Thomas House on the inside. Already Vaughan has plans of stripping the wood over the winter season, when business is slower.

Everywhere she turns Vaughan is met with the price of her endeavor. People are astonished at her goal. "Do you know how much that will cost?" they ask, incredulously.

Vaughan is learning how expensive such a project can be but she is not detoured. She knows there are grants out there to renovate old buildings and she plans to find them.

During her period of grieving she filled the days in research of restoration work and historical funding. In her research she discovered there are ways of restoring buildings through grants and she insists that if anyone cared enough every building on the square could be restored, making a dramatic and beautiful historical addition to the county, as nice as Elizabethtown's square.

Vaughan is still busy with her research and learning about restoration but she keeps the restaurant going, doing most of the cooking and keeping a various menu for her customers.

Many of the customers served at The Lighthouse are from out of town. They have had people from Bardstown, Boston, and even a group from Michigan visit for supper.

People love the historic, family oriented atmosphere of the building and the home-cooked meals that encourage them to sit for a while and enjoy eating. The two dining rooms each feature a huge television. The staff makes dining an enjoyable, homey experience-without the clean up!

And the food? The Lighthouse Burger is a sure delight and they have an awesome tenderloin. Vaughan makes a variety of pies and cakes but you have to come in to know which of your favorites is offered today.

The Lighthouse is ready to book your birthday party and wedding reception. They have even hosted a gentleman from TN for a very special proposal, in front of the fireplace of the front room.

The Lighthouse, located across from Kentucky Hardware just off the square on North Main, is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. If you would like to book a party or reception give Vaughan a call at 259-8070.