Transformation of Iowa River Power Plant Into Dining Venue
The Iowa River Power Co restaurant opened in October 1977 in Coralville, converting a 1902 built power plant into a first class dining spot after Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric decommissioned the station in 1969. The project began in 1976 and cost about a million dollars.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
al Johnson
Dave Koenig
Davenport
Moline
Gary Huysman
Iowa City
Huysman
Iowa River Power Co
First Avenue
Fifth Street
Iowa City Light and Power Co
Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric Co
Coralville
Gazette
Eastern Iowa power plant turned restaurant history unfolds
The former power plant in Iowa River's corridor transformed into a dining venue in 1977 with cranes on display and nameplates from turbines. It later changed hands, expanding seating and adding a banquet room, while owners linked to Boars Head and other local venues recounted renovation challenges and public reaction. The site was sold in 2024 to Old Gold & Black LLC with plans to reopen in 2026.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa River Power Co
the Gazette
Tom Fruehling
Iowa
Fruehling
Johnson
Moline
Koenig and Huysman
Ralston Purina Co
J.K. Frisbee’s
Davenport
Governor’s Tavern
Huysman
John Fisher
Danise
David Petsel
Randy Ward
Petsels
Old Gold & Black LLC
Also Mentioned on This Page
Iowa River Power Restaurant
Iowa River
Iowa-Illinois Gas & Electric
Iowa City Manufacturing
Chauncey Swan
Augustus McArthur
Ferdinand Haverstrah
Thomas Snyder
Abraham Willis
Iowa City Press-Citizen
Iowa City Electric Light Co
Iowa City Gas Light Co
Iowa City Gas and Electric Light Co
United Light and Railways Co
Grand Rapids
Chicago
The
Fanonlangton
Gmail
Thegazette.com
City of
Johnson County Conservation Board
D.fannonlangton
Gmail.com
Second Avenue Secedar Rapids
Emma Oliphant
Historycenter.org
Brie Swenson
Arnoldie Ce
Linn County
Cedar Memorial Cemetery
Cebar Mann
Ole Wav
Rycenter.org
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