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About

The LAUREL OAK INN

serving others through hospitAlity

our mission

We hope the Laurel Oak Inn creates wonderful memories and experiences for all our guests.



We're excited to announce the Inn's change of ownership as of May 15, 2023. Guests can expect the same beautiful amenities they've always enjoyed! We look forward to welcoming back familiar faces and meeting new guests. The new owners also operate The Camellia Rose Inn across the street.

Our friendly staff is here every morning and afternoon, with Innkeeper Jo Lee ensuring all guests are well taken care of.

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Friendliest vibes

All of the Inn's amenities are at your disposal; from board games to outdoor tables, to outdoor swings, and more.

Enjoy!

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OUR VaLUES

Experience

With modern and sophisticated amenities, on-demand services, and more, we strive to make your stay a seamless experience.

Integrity

Tired of the bait and switch? Upholding honesty and comfort, our dedicated staff works tirelessly to provide you a personalized stay and assist you 24/7 in every way possible.

Community

We have fostered close ties with local businesses, artists, and attractions, ensuring that our guests can access cultural events to tap into the authentic Gainesville experience.

MORNING SERENITY

At THE lAurel oAk inn

Each morning between 8:30 – 10 AM, we set out a delicious breakfast for you to enjoy. Come to the kitchen at your leisure to make a plate and choose to eat at any location on the property (the formal dining room, the front or side porches, the beautiful living room, or at one of the outdoor tables. We have adapted our breakfast routine to meet the needs of our guests and to allow for flexibility (for early risers or late sleepers- we accommodate you all). We also have free refreshments out all day.

When you arrive at the Inn, you’ll get to meet Gibbs, who found us, and we have done our best to teach him everything we know about being a cat. He is a true scaredy-cat, so don’t be surprised if he doesn’t let you pet him at first but when he warms up to you, he’ll let you rub his belly.

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ABOUT THE HISTORIC LASSITER HOUSE

1885

The Lassiter House was constructed in 1885 by Wilburn Lassiter and his second wife, Fanny. The Southeast Historic District was the earliest “suburb” of Gainesville, lying just outside the town limits which, at the time, stopped at the Sweetwater Branch. This house and the neighboring Baird mansion were built on five-acre parcels that dominated the block.

1920

The Lassiter family sold the house to William Reuben Thomas in 1920. He converted it into two apartments, one on each floor and made substantial modifications. The house was electrified (it was already plumbed for coal gas lighting fixtures), the stair railing and banister were removed to create a hallway from the porch to the second-floor apartment and primitive plumbing was installed. This change made it impossible to travel from the first floor to the second without going outside the house. The kitchen was eliminated in favor of creating an additional bedroom.

1938

The most dramatic exterior modification was the addition of a Craftsman-style two-story sleeping porch on the southwest corner of the house. This new feature changed the massing of the house and hid the elaborate three-sided bay and the unique mansard on the third floor.

In 1938, the house was again divided, this time into four apartments. Four very small kitchens and baths were added and the property began its life as a four-unit apartment building.

1969

Its condition began to deteriorate through the fifties and sixties. This area was known as “Hippie Hill” and Gainesville was known as the “Berkely of the Southeast.” Tom Petty and another band member from Mudcrutch were both tenants of the apartment building circa 1969. Tom Petty lived on the first floor and what is now the kitchen. Enjoy watching the Official Music Video of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Gainesville. At the 1-minute mark, you will see a snippet of the Laurel Oak Inn, as it stands today.

1979 +

In 1979 the house was condemned. Surprisingly it survived until the early nineties when it was purchased by Butch and Joyce Redstone. The Redstones intended to convert the property into a Bed and Breakfast. They started the major renovations which stabilized the condition of the house. In 1999 Monta and Peggy Burt began restoring the Lassiter House to its former glory. The Laurel Oak Inn became operational in 2001. On May 31, 2018, Dave and Nan Charland became the proud owners of the Laurel Oak Inn and the rest is history in the making!

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By the

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