The Laurel Inn Bed & Breakfast, 803 N. Second Ave., recently returned under its original management.
Peggy O’Connell and her husband Kevin, who have owned the establishment since 1997, have moved back to the City Beautiful to operate the inn, located in Laurel’s Historic District.
Peggy, a native of Laurel, said the couple had been away for over a year, but returned to take back oversight.
“When we came back, the yard was so overgrown,” she said. “We’re getting it back in shape.”
The Laurel Inn, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1917 by timber baron John Bissell. Peggy said Bissell personally selected all of the heart pine used to build the house.
“In all of its 5,400 square feet, there is only one knot,” she said. “The interior is elegant and graceful.”
The inn, which is available for tours and catered events, overlooks Gardiner Park and is within walking distance to the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art.
The establishment recently attracted visitors from Ohio and Louisiana.
Elaine Eyre, a resident of Finelay, Ohio, and mother of the Motorhome Diaries’ Pete Eyre, stayed there while the group had its much-publicized court case.
“It’s very wonderful,” Elaine said. “It’s so pretty, warm and inviting.”
Her sister, Kathy Johnson, a resident of Longville, La., agreed.
“It’s absolutely wonderful,” she said. “I’d like to own my own bed and breakfast one day.”
Eyre and Johnson were also entertained by the O’Connells’ nine-year-old Great Dane, Hazel.
Peggy said she named the dog after her late mother “so I could call her name and talk to her every day.”
“She’s just as precious,” Peggy said. “She thinks she’s a person. She doesn’t know what a dog’s life is like. She’s on a diet so I put baked fish in her dog food.”
O’Connell noted that Hazel was even smaller than her brother, Elvis. The dog is joined at the inn by a cat named Gigi.
The Laurel Inn has three guest rooms, and features a plethora of artwork from local artists.
“I loved the home because it was inviting and had a warm atmosphere,” Peggy said. “I’m proud to be here, and this place is open to the community. You can come home again.”
For more information on the Laurel Inn, visit www.laurelinn.com or call 601-428-8773.
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Related Photos
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Photo/David Owens
Original owners take over Laurel Inn
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