Americus Garden Inn

Bed & Breakfast

“where history meets romance…”

Dr. Albert Rees was the second doctor to reside in Americus, circa 1834. His wife, the former Sarah H. Lamar, was a member of one of Georgia's most eminent families. In fact, Lamar Street honors one of her relatives, Mirabeau Bonaparte Lamar (who in 1838 became the president of the Republic of Texas). Dr. Rees acquired substantial real estate holdings shortly after his arrival here and became responsible for developing the neighborhood around the park that still bears his surname, Rees Park. He sold off large lots surrounding the square from 1846 to 1848.

December 7, 1846 - James Kelso Daniel, a North Carolina transplant and our state senator in 1842, bought the 21-acre lot on the parks' northeast corner for $84.  In 1847, the house was built.  Mr. Daniel died in 1851.  His widow was remarried in 1857 to the Rev. John P. Duncan.  She died in 1864.

1864 - J.P. Duncan sold the property to William Adams Wilson who, from 1864 to 1870 served as president of the Furlow Masonic Female College. W. A. Wilson's distinguished career included two terms in the General Assembly, first as our state representative (1882-83) and then as our state senator and president pro tem (1892-93).

June 29, 1874 - W. A. Wilson sold to Uriah B. and Thomas Harrold

June 21,1883 - The Harrolds sold to Henry Rogers Johnson for $1500. H.R. Johnson was a local capitalist and their business partner. (H.R. Johnson's brother, Capt. William L. Johnson, commanded the 4th regiment of the "Sumter Light Guards" at the outbreak of the Civil War). It appears that H.R. Johnson was responsible for the victorianization of the property.

Nov 5 1891 - Mr. Johnson sold to Binion H. Jossey for $7,000. Binion H. Jossey served on the Americus City council from 1887 to 1890.

Oct 21, 1893 - Mr. Jossey sold to J. B. Hudson, Esq who was survived by his wife.

Oct 10, 1918 - Mrs. J.B. Hudson sold the home to the Easterlin Family.

Oct 5, 1954 - The Easterlin's sold to J. Thomas and Iris Argo

Feb 1, 1967 - The Argos sold the home to Joseph Slappy (There was an interesting note where the Argos transferred the home to their 3 daughters on June 22, 1964. Since the Argo parents sold the home again in 1967, we're not quite sure what happened with the daughters.)

Dec 9, 1967 - Joseph Slappy sold to Herbert A. McDonald, who owned a local insurance company. The McDonalds' raised a son and 3 daughters there.

Oct 4, 1994 - H. A. McDonald's estate sold the home to Donald and Jodi Miles who restored and updated the home and converted it to a bed and breakfast inn, The Rees Park Garden Inn.

Dec 9, 2002 - The Miles sold the property known as The Americus Garden Inn to Mr. and Mrs. Kim and Susan Egelseer.

Jan 2007 - Americus Garden Inn Bed and Breakfast recognized by TripAdvisor as a TOP 10 B&B/Inn in the US in the annual Travelers' Choice Awards.

March 1, 2007 - Americus hit by an EF3 (165 mph) Tornado causing damage to the Americus Garden Inn and grounds.  Over 30 mature trees are lost, with total devastation to the "garden".

Jan 2008 - Americus Garden Inn Bed and Breakfast receives another Travelers' Choice Award as a TOP 10 B&B/Inn in the US from TripAdvisor.

Spring/Summer 2008 - Implementation of new garden designed by landscape architect Nancy Beckemeyer.

Jan 2009 - Americus Garden Inn Bed and Breakfast receives another Travelers' Choice Award as a TOP 10 B&B/Inn in the US from TripAdvisor.

October 2009 - Americus Garden Inn Bed and Breakfast recognized by BedandBreakfast.com as Overall Winner in the Best of Bed and Breakfast Awards.

Jan 2010 - Americus Garden Inn Bed and Breakfast receives 2 awards from TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards.  TOP 10 B&B/Inn in the World and TOP 10 B&B/Inn in the US.

October 2010 - Americus Garden Inn Bed and Breakfast recognized by BedandBreakfast.com as "Best Innkeepers" in the Best of Bed and Breakfast Awards.

The information prior to 2002 was excerpted from an article published in the Sumter Free Press dated January 31, 2001 written by Alan Anderson.  Mr. Anderson is the local historian for Sumter County and Americus.  For further information on Sumter County history, please visit the Sumter County History website at www.sumtercountyhistory.com.

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Revised and maintained by

Susan Egelseer

Copyright © 2010  [Americus Garden Inn Bed & Breakfast]. All rights reserved.
 Revised: 03/15/12.