HOME // ABOUT US

OUR HISTORY

HOME // about us

WELCOME TO OUR BED & BREAKFAST

Echo Mountain Inn was originally built as a private home and later converted into a girls camp called ‘Happiness.' We cherish this legacy and aim to have our guests experience the best of both during their visit. Our location is a peaceful and quiet one. In the warm weather a swim in the pool or a walk around the Inn to appreciate the gardens and the view are in order. During the winter, there are indoor pleasures to be enjoyed, like a warm fire or a good book. Our rooms at the Inn are cozy and comfortable. Each has a name that expresses its unique character – from Rustic to Royal and Quilt Haven to Magnolia. They all have private baths and heat/air, TV, and wireless internet. Rooms in our 1930's wing even have real wood burning fireplaces.

BUILT IN 1896

The Inn was built by John H. and Jessie B. Patterson of Jacksonville, Florida as a private summer home in 1896. It was purchased in the 1920s by Felix Lake and then Dr. Charles and Ida deGarmo also from Florida, who operated "The Tea Room" until Florida hurricanes and the stock market crash, causing them to close their doors. Florida friends convinced Isabel J. Foster to lease the property and, with considerable ingenuity and hard work, she and her daughter, Nell, operated "Camp Happiness" for teenage girls for 4 seasons. She bought cots for $0.25 each, turned the porches and all available space into dormitories. Isabel also created a swimming pool from an abandoned reservoir, set up hiking trails, and provided horseback riding lessons.

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In the mid 1930s, the Royall family bought the property from the deGarmos. Rev. William R. Royall, his wife, Ina and his son, William Jr. named it Echo Inn and ran it as a restaurant and country Inn until the 1970s. They made additions to the main Inn and built several other buildings on the property. William R. Royall Jr. also served as mayor of Laurel Park Village for 17 years.

For the next 20 years, the Inn, which became known as Echo Mountain Inn, had several owners including Cooper and Elizabeth Smith, Dick and Marion Mulford, and Peter and Shirley Demaras. Each made additions and improvements based on their talents and vision for the Inn.

In July 2004, Chester and Betsy Kylstra purchased the inn and worked very hard to keep the historic character of the property while adding modern conveniences. Each newly restored and decorated room has been named to convey its unique motif. From the Royal Room to the Plum Pretty Room to the Rustic Room, every effort has been made to provide a place where their guests will feel at home.

In 2015, all public areas of the Inn were completely renovated and updated as can be seen in the many current photos. Most recently, in July of 2019 the Bonnema family purchased the Inn and have been working hard to continue the renovations while keeping the old look and feel.

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The first floor of the Inn offers an inviting living room with comfy couches, large fireplace and a shelf full of games for some old-fashioned fun. Our library is home to another lovely sitting area that includes a bistro table that's perfect for an afternoon puzzle, information about local attractions, our history wall, as well as coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Regardless of the weather, our inviting sunporch is always a favorite among our guest. Between the warm sunshine and well-tended plants, you'll feel like your sitting in the middle of a garden. Wake up each morning and head over to our scenic dining room where breakfast is served between 8:00 to 9:30 am. We enjoy serving a hearty and healthy breakfast each morning that caters to most dietary needs.

All this makes the Inn a perfect place for a private getaway, family reunion, retreat, or gathering place for your group. We have a staff ready to help make your stay unforgettable.