Founder of Fresno's historic LGBTQ+ bar The Red Lantern dies at 88

The community held a vigil to honor Virgil Wigley, who opened the bar in 1970.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Virgil Wigley, the 88-year-old founder of Fresno's historic LGBTQ+ bar The Red Lantern, passed away on Sunday evening. The community quickly came together on Monday to hold a soft vigil honoring Wigley, who opened the bar in 1970 as the oldest operating gay bar in Fresno.

Why it matters

The Red Lantern has served as a vital community hub for Fresno's LGBTQ+ population for over 50 years, providing a safe and welcoming space during a time when acceptance and visibility were much harder to come by. Wigley's passing marks the end of an era for this beloved local institution.

The details

Wigley co-owned The Red Lantern, which is located near Belmont and Maple avenues in Fresno. The bar is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary in September 2020, having first opened its doors on September 1, 1970.

  • Virgil Wigley passed away on Sunday evening, February 23, 2026.
  • The community held a vigil to honor Wigley on Monday, February 24, 2026, the day after his passing.

The players

Virgil Wigley

The 88-year-old founder of Fresno's historic LGBTQ+ bar The Red Lantern, which he opened in 1970.

The Red Lantern

The oldest operating gay bar in Fresno, California, founded by Virgil Wigley in 1970 and set to celebrate its 50th anniversary in September 2020.

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What’s next

The Red Lantern is planning a 50th anniversary celebration in September 2026 to honor Wigley's legacy and the bar's long history serving the LGBTQ+ community in Fresno.

The takeaway

The passing of Virgil Wigley, the founder of Fresno's iconic LGBTQ+ bar The Red Lantern, marks the end of an era for this beloved community institution that has provided a safe haven for the city's queer population for over five decades.