Overview

The 1898 Waverly Inn was erected in 1898, as a two-and-a-half story hotel with dormered windows on the third floor and a wraparound porch at street level in the Queen Anne style. Originally named the Anderson Boarding House, the name was changed to The Waverly sometime before 1915. In 2010 the name was changed to 1898 Waverly Inn to reflect the historic nature of the inn. The main entrance is the original double paneled and glazed door, set in an ornamental surround with fluted pilasters and applied floral jigsaw trim including a three-leaf clover motif on the lintel over the door. Following a fire about 1910, which did extensive roof damage, the walls were extended up to create a third story and a second story porch was added above the main facade porch. Additions were built in 1940 and 1960. Both are used for owners’ quarters today. The sides of the wrap around porch were enclosed to make the library and a guest bathroom. At the back of the lobby is an Eastlake style staircase. This style is rare in the south and was originally stained mahogany in color. Underneath the staircase is the original registration desk, still in use today. Historic Inns, Inc., owned by John and Diane Sheiry, purchased The Waverly Inn in 1988. At the time John and Diane purchased the inn, it had twenty-two bedrooms and eight bathrooms. During subsequent renovations they expanded rooms, added bathrooms to each room, and incorporated The Wormy Chestnut Wing into their (owner’s) quarters. John and Diane, along with Diane’s sister Darla Olmstead, reside in the inn and operate it on a daily basis. Today The Waverly Inn offers 15 rooms all with private baths, three sitting rooms, a library, dining room, office, and owners’ quarters.