The Inn's Common
Areas
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The common areas on
the first floor of the Inn offer a spacious parlor, the
dining room, a guest powder room and our kitchen and entertainment
area. Our many porches provide opportunities to read a book
on a wooden swing or sink into wicker and enjoy wine and
conversation with new or old friends. Each has soothing
views of the lawn and gardens. Cool shade is provided courtesy
of the canopy of our lovely oaks. In the winter, curl up
with a book next to one of our fireplaces. We offer free
access to broadband internet for those wishing to catch up
on e-mail or just to "surf." There is plenty
of off-street parking in our fenced property as well as
secure storage for bicycling equipment. We are convenient
for access-challenged guests and our first floor bedchamber
is prepared to accommodate you.
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History of
the Inn:
The
Lassiter House was constructed on this site 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 which dominated the
block.
Wilburn Lassiter was
born in 1815 in Troy, North Carolina. Success in an early
land lottery brought him to Gainesville, Florida to seek his
fortune. The family would spend the summer in Gainesville,
Georgia and enjoy the North Georgia mountains. They would
then return to Gainesville, Florida in the colder months. He
passed away in 1888 and is buried in Gainesville¡¯s Evergreen
Cemetery south of town with his second wife, Fanny.
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 baluster 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.
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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 small (very!) kitchens and baths were added and the
property began its life as a four unit apartment building.
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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". Rumor
has it that a certain Tom Petty was a tenant in the late sixties
when his formative band, Mudcrutch, was the local rage. The
house was actually condemned in 1979, but somehow survived
until the early nineties when it was purchased by Butch and
Joyce Redstone. The Redstones planned to convert the property
into a Bed and Breakfast Inn and did major renovations which
stabilized the condition of the house. |
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Monta
and Peggy Burt bought the house in April of 1999 and began a
two year odyssey to restore it to its former floor plan and
ambience. The Laurel Oak Inn opened in November of 2001.
We
invite you to share our joy when you stay with us.
Our
goal is to provide the ambiance of a grand Victorian home
replete with modern conveniences, quality products, great
food and exceptional service. We strive to maintain that
relaxed, home-like atmosphere (we live up on the third floor!).
Whether you need assistance with selecting a restaurant,
booking a horse-drawn carriage or finding the best route
to your favorite event,
we're here to make your experience
pleasurable.
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The Innkeepers:
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and Peggy are high school sweethearts (no ages, but we did
graduate in '69!) who were both raised in Bucks County,
Pennsylvania. Monta graduated from Penn State and Peggy from
Bucknell University. We were married in 1973. We have two
beautiful daughters, Megan and Lauren, both graduates of the
University of Florida. We spent 16 years in south Florida
and sought the lifestyle change and beauty of Gainesville
and a major university environment. We're proud to have
been able to resurrect this property and are excited at the
prospect of sharing time with you. |
Amenities and
House Rules:
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Each afternoon, enjoy complementary beverages as you prepare
for your dinner at one of the many fine restaurants located
a short stroll away in Gainesville' s bustling downtown.
Your bath is stocked with premium hair care products, salts
and soaps. Our full breakfast is served between 8 and 9:30
am. During the day, help yourself to a cold beverage in
our guest refrigerator located by the entertainment center.
Remember, no making your bed! |
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For reservations:
1-877-373-4535
Check in is from 4 to
7 PM. In order
to fully enjoy the Bed and Breakfast experience,
try to
arrive as close to 4 PM as possible.
Sunday check-in is
from 3 to 6 PM and by
reservation only.
Check out is 11 AM. A late check-out of 12 noon, may be requested.
Don¡¯t forget to ask
us about massages and carriage rides. What better way to
really relax or see the beauties of Historic Gainesville!
Please give us at least 48 hours notice
Our beautiful gift
certificates can provide an unforgettable memory for
holidays, an anniversary, a honeymoon or a friend's
birthday! They¡¯re a special thought for a co-worker, client
or your child's coach or teacher. Certificates are available
for any amount of $50 or more. We can send them directly to
the recipient or to you. Your recipient can then choose a
date to celebrate at the Inn.
No
carrying dishes to the kitchen! That's our work! However,
if you'd like to mow the lawn, please ask!
Rates are based on double occupancy only and are subject to change without notice.
For the safety and comfort of our guests (and ours!), we
are a non-smoking inn.
We apologize that we cannot accommodate children under the
age of 16 or pets.
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Contact
Us
Peggy and Monta Burt
The Laurel
Oak Inn
An Historic
Bed and Breakfast
Established 1999
221 SE Seventh Street
Gainesville, Florida 32601
Ph. 352-373-4535
or
email
us
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