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Bluefield Inn

History of The Bluefield Inn

The stately facade of this six thousand square foot southern-style mansion embodies the style and grace that prominent Bluefield families built in the early 1900s. This home was a plantation-style home with wide verandas and was set apart on an expansive lawn. The house was constructed by Mr. Lucious Holland in 1904 for his bride to be Nancy. The couple got married and lived here for less than two years when Mrs. Holland tragically passed away.

Ownership passed through such prominent families as the Compton’s and the Maynard’s. Judge Frank Maynard was very well known and was possibly one of the longest remaining residents who resided here with his wife Sarah and five children. The Maynard’s used 2109 as an entertaining home that got a lot of use for Soirées, invitation balls, and dinners. Judge Maynard was transported to Richmond, VA in 1928 to be treated for a nervous condition where he passed away, forcing his family to sell 2109.

After 10 short years, the house was used as an elementary school until Mrs. Helen Ryan and her husband purchased the home around 1938, converting second-floor rooms for boarding house accommodations. During this time President Woodrow Wilson visited 2109 Jefferson St. during his candidacy and enjoyed the hospitality commonplace here. JFK was noted as visiting a colleague at 2109 for a brief day.

In the early 1960’s Mrs. Ryan converted the rooms on the second floor into apartments. Each room was equipped with a kitchenette. The Mailboxes from that time are still evident upon the wall in the side entry. Finally, in April of 1995, she gave up her home after suffering a major stroke and left her estate in the hands of her private financial institution.

Sandra J. Hancock purchased the home in May of 1995 and began to restore it to its original luster. After six months of repair, she opened it as the former Dian-lee House. It was purchased in May of 2014 by Dr. Gary and Kitt McCarthy and has undergone yet another full upgrade and remodel.

Famous Guests

The Bluefield Inn has played host to many famous guests. In addition to Woodrow Wilson and John F. Kennedy, the house has welcomed Nobel Peace Prize winner John Nash, a native of Bluefield; Jett Williams, Hank Williams Sr’s daughter; Janette Walls, author of The Glass Castle who is a nearby native; Jackie Onassis’ half brother Jamie Auchincloss; Singer and Christian songwriter Michael O’Brien; American Idol finalist Chris Sly; and the Rocket Boys namely Homer Hickam & Billy Rose (October Sky).

The former Dian-lee House, now Bluefield Inn, was featured in several West Virginia magazines, national newspapers, and recently in the Bristol Herald Courier. It served as a stage for TLC’s Second Chance reality show, Inn’s Across America, and as a set for the movie The Legend of Black Annie.

The Bluefield Inn

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Phone

304.323.2200

Address

2109 Jefferson Street
Bluefield, WV 24701

Email

info@bluefieldinn.com