ATLANTA — Fire investigators are trying to determine what caused a fire at the historic site, once home to one of the most renowned LGBTQ+ bars in Atlanta, on Friday.
And while officials investigate, many wonder what will come of the rich history once housed there.
“It was really sad to see it go up in flames,” Richard Ramey, the owner of Atlanta Eagle Bar, said.
For 35 years, the historic site at the intersection of Ponce De Leon and Argonne Avenues was home to a bar that became famed in the Southeast and "has hosted legendary drag performers like RuPaul and Lady Bunny that promote LGBTQ+ equality and HIV/AIDS education," the mayor's office previously said.
But, late Thursday, the building built in 1898 went up in flames.
“It was the first historical landmark for our gay community, so that really hurts deep to see all the damages,” Ramey said.
Video of the scene showed smoke and flames shooting in the air from the now abandoned building.
“You could feel the heat from all the way over there and that, like two hundred feet away, it was quite a blaze," Stephen Eich, who lives nearby, said. It was quite a lot of heat,” said Stephen Eich, who lives nearby.
Luckily, fire crews were able to keep the blaze from spreading to neighboring properties, including the historic Kodak Building next door, but now many worry about what will become of the old Atlanta Eagle.
“It’s just got so much history, so much history, starting with RuPaul back when it was the Celebrity Room and all of our history, for the 35 years that we were here, and that’s what makes this building so special,” said Ramey.
In 2020, former mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms designated the location as a historical landmark, citing its significance to the LGBTQ+ community. The Atlanta Eagle Bar was also the site of a controversial 2009 police raid that resulted in a lawsuit and 16 officers being found guilty of lying or destroying evidence.
Six offers were also fired. The incident leads to training and policy changes. And while the investigation into the blaze continues, those who live o close to the site continue to reminisce.
“It’s an emotion time, at type of scene like this and people who have any connection to something fires are really devastating,” Ramey went on.
The fire is still under investigation.