Mysterious High Point Restaurant
Way Of The Ray
Saturday, March 30, 2002
Mob connections intrigue Monteagle restaurant patrons
By Candice Combs
Staff Writer
MONTEAGLE, Tenn. -- Tales of underground tunnels and escape hatches
intrigue some patrons of High Point Restaurant, which is housed in a
mansion thought to have been built with mob money.
"Having grown up here, there was always folklore about Al Capone's ties
to the house," said Jerry Thomas, a frequent visitor to the
home-turned-restaurant. "It makes for a good story, and I almost think
there's got to be something to it."
According to Jama Turner, co-owner of High Point, the mansion was built
in 1929 by Irene Mabee Dickenson. Some believed she was Al Capone's
business manager. Others, Mr. Thomas said, thought Ms. Dickenson was the
mobster's mistress.
"There's so many stories about the gangsters, it's hard to keep up with
them," Ms. Turner said.
Regardless, the home was frequented by a number of famed Chicago
gangsters and was seen as a "stopover" between Chicago and Miami, Mr.
Thomas said. Local stories recall days when Mr. Capone and John
Dillinger sat outside sharing drinks and a game of cards.
The house has escape hatches in the roof and hiding places in the
basement, which is now the wine cellar, Ms. Turner said.
The restaurant was put on the National Register of Historic Places in
December 1997. It is currently fitted with the original hardwood
flooring and light fixtures, which were found discarded in the garage,
Ms. Turner said. The grounds boast a healthy 450-year-old tree and rock
work by the same craftsmen whose workmanship is evident at the
University of the South in nearby Sewanee, Tenn.
Fernando and Kathy Santisteban, who own the house, renovated it several
years ago, Ms. Turner said. Shortly after, the couple leased the space
to the restaurant. High Point has drawn crowds since it opened two years
ago and has created a new future for the proud home.
"We visit High Point at least three or four times a month," said Cristy
Beasley, who moved to Monteagle from Memphis about three years ago. "The
food is as good or better than any place I've eaten."
The 40-selection menu features a seasonal mix of fancy fare including
horseradish-crusted grouper with sweet balsamic orange reduction,
escargot, Tennessee duck and Blackberry Winter salad.
"The first time people go, they want to know about (the gangster
connection)," Ms. Beasley said. "But it's the atmosphere, the people and
the food that keep everyone coming back."
E-mail Candice Combs at cco...@timesfreepress.com