The Lafayette Inn features 14 exquisite guest rooms and suites in three elegant turn of the century buildings. From the marble walled vestibule to the carved walnut staircase, you will find an elegance of bygone years along with just the right touch of modern updates. The Inn serves as an elegantly appointed bed & breakfast and wedding, reception, reunion, private catered dinner and corporate retreat facility. The Lafayette Inn occupies over two thirds of a city block and is surrounded on three sides by original wrought iron fencing. |
Welcome to The Lafayette Inn at Harrisburg, Illinois
The three building complex consisting of two elegant mansions and a
carriage house, form The Lafayette Inn and were constructed in 1921 for C.
M. Wasson and his son. Mr. Wasson began his career as a junk dealer and
eventually became one of the leading coal mining and banking pioneers in
Southern Illinois owning the Wasson Coal Company. Following the Wasson
ownership, the houses were remodeled and became a bed and breakfast
facility. In early 2008, retired Air Force Brigadier General James Hise and
his brother, William, a retired Air Force Colonel, bought the property and
continue to operate a bed and breakfast facility.
In renaming the Inn, the new owners chose to honor the Marquis de
Lafayette, a Major General in the Continental Army during the Revolution,
who served as aide to General George Washington and who has a unique
and memorable association with this area of Southern Illinois.
In 1825, on his historic and triumphant return and tour of the United States,
General Lafayette paid homage to soldiers living in Southern Illinois who had
fought at his side in the Revolution by attending a reception in his honor at
Shawneetown on May 8, 1825. Hundreds of war veterans gathered to hear
the General praise the courage of those who had fought for liberty and
independence. In the crowd that day was a soldier who had been General
Lafayette’s personal bodyguard at Valley Forge. Later, the National Guard
of the United States was named in his honor acknowledging his leadership of
the French Garde Nationale de Paris.
The three building complex consisting of two elegant mansions and a
carriage house, form The Lafayette Inn and were constructed in 1921 for C.
M. Wasson and his son. Mr. Wasson began his career as a junk dealer and
eventually became one of the leading coal mining and banking pioneers in
Southern Illinois owning the Wasson Coal Company. Following the Wasson
ownership, the houses were remodeled and became a bed and breakfast
facility. In early 2008, retired Air Force Brigadier General James Hise and
his brother, William, a retired Air Force Colonel, bought the property and
continue to operate a bed and breakfast facility.
In renaming the Inn, the new owners chose to honor the Marquis de
Lafayette, a Major General in the Continental Army during the Revolution,
who served as aide to General George Washington and who has a unique
and memorable association with this area of Southern Illinois.
In 1825, on his historic and triumphant return and tour of the United States,
General Lafayette paid homage to soldiers living in Southern Illinois who had
fought at his side in the Revolution by attending a reception in his honor at
Shawneetown on May 8, 1825. Hundreds of war veterans gathered to hear
the General praise the courage of those who had fought for liberty and
independence. In the crowd that day was a soldier who had been General
Lafayette’s personal bodyguard at Valley Forge. Later, the National Guard
of the United States was named in his honor acknowledging his leadership of
the French Garde Nationale de Paris.
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| © 2008 The Lafayette Inn | Design by Corey Tang |
| Add Class and Charm to a Memorable Occasion 202 West Poplar Street, Harrisburg, Illinois, 62946 Phone: (618) 252-7599 |
The Lafayette Inn is
located at Harrisburg,
Illinois, the Gateway to
the Shawnee National
Forest and Ohio River
Recreational Area with
the convenience to a
major interstate highway
nearby. Hiking trails,
horseback riding, hunting
boating and swimming
are all available within
minutes of town.
located at Harrisburg,
Illinois, the Gateway to
the Shawnee National
Forest and Ohio River
Recreational Area with
the convenience to a
major interstate highway
nearby. Hiking trails,
horseback riding, hunting
boating and swimming
are all available within
minutes of town.
| One of the bedroom suites |