Out with the Old, In with the New, and Restoration for the historic

MT. PLEASANT — A bright yellow excavator tore into the former Butch’s River Rock Cafe building Wednesday, June 1.

“It’s definitely the end of an era,” Lynn Conrad said as the building began to crumble.

Butch’s Cafe last opened February 2021 after Butch’s passing of bone cancer in 2020.

The cafe was a landmark in the Mt. Pleasant for decades.

The beloved restaurant is more than the best tenderloin and fond memories, though.

Nestled in the back of the cafe there is a peak facing the river.

The original flag stop depot for the K-line railroad was a crucial part of the building.

This was not a large depot, but a small building without an operator.

Those wanting to ride the train would come to the depot, raise a flag, and wait for the train to come.

The K-line was operational in the Mt. Pleasant area from 1882 to 1932 and served Oakland Mills, Denova, and Salem.

Now that the land is set to see renovations and a new restaurant, a few local men have made it their mission to save this little hidden piece of history.

Conrad, Kevin Wellington, and a handful of other men approached the new owners Marci and Steve Davis with ideas to preserve the small historic part of the building.

“The railroad depot, it’s been hiding in plain sight for a long time and thanks to the volunteers it will be saved,” Conrad said.

These men have donated their time and skills to detach this portion of Butch’s.

Conrad says that the project is far from done.

The depot will be carefully moved to rest by the conservation center until it is decided where, in Oakland Mills County Park, the depot will be permanently stationed.

This is not the first time the depot has been moved either.

Before landing at 1529 253rd St., the depot had been located just north of the church in the area.

So far, all materials and needed equipment were donated by members of the community committed to seeing this history preserved.

Once the depot’s home has been decided, however, the men will need more donations from the community to restore the depot to it’s former glory.

What’s next for Butch’s River Rock Cafe?

New owners Marci and Steve Davis still plan to have a riverside cafe.

“We’re instituting a big change,” Marci Davis said.

Taking into consideration the real risks being in a flood plan can cause, the Davis’ plan to create a covered pavilion for an open air seating restaurant.

Marci Davis hopes Lulu’s Dam Grill will be up and running this fall before a winter hiatus.

The changes are coming in quickly.

The food trailer that will serve the pavilion will be delivered next week, and work will begin right away.

The Oakland Mills landscape looks a quite a bit different without Butch’s, but the Davis’ are excited to create new memories with a great community.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com