Mountain Jewel-The Monteagle Inn
from Summer 2004, Vol. 5, No. 2
By Laurie C. Battles

Jim Harmon knew he would buy the Monteagle Inn the first time he strolled through the charming 1940s private residence turned bed and breakfast two years ago. He told wife Donna, an interior designer who wasn’t with him on that first visit, 'if we can get them at the right price, this is the one we want.'

'It was kind of basic, as far as decoration goes. That’s one of the things that appealed to us because we saw it as a palette to work from. We wanted a facility that we could improve upon and make ours,' he says. Large event rooms were another major selling point of the 13 guest room facility, where the Harmons could envision lavish wedding receptions and parties, as well as comfortable leisure time for guests.

Bob and Carolyn Yates bought the original house, which has become the Monteagle Inn, from the Francis family in 1997, snapping up the rest of the city block in the process. Harmon says the Yates’ then moved some other buildings to other sites farther away and moved the large Francis family home 100 feet further from the street. They then added large living and dining rooms and guest rooms above them. The Monteagle Inn, now a cherished landmark in the Sewanee/Monteagle area, was born. The Inn next fell into the hands of the Prima family, who added backyard gardens and a lovely, relaxing gazebo.

When the Harmons turned their fifteen-year-old dream of innkeeping into a reality with the purchase of the elegant property, they not only redecorated the interior, but also added their mark to the exterior. 'We put a stone entry driveway in the front and additional parking. We also undertook substantial landscaping, herb gardens, flowering beds and vegetable gardens. We use our own fresh flowers in the Inn and our own herbs and vegetables in our cooking,' Harmon says. All recipes prepared in the Monteagle Inn are originals, exclusive to the facility. 'Not a week goes by that a guest doesn’t say ‘Could you possibly share your recipe?’ We always do,' Harmon says.

Thanks to the Harmons, the Monteagle Inn is now both a bed and breakfast and a retreat center. They have improved the conference room and upgraded equipment, offering, among other conveniences, DSL Internet access. Harmon says that, in addition to the welcome continuing influx of Sewanee (The University of the South) parents, prospective students and distinguished guests, he is now courting a wide array of corporations for upper-level management retreats. While enjoying pristine mountain air, guaranteed to stimulate fresh ideas and new management strategies, visitors may take in the rich culture of the Monteagle area.

'It’s hard to explain but once you spend any time in the Sewanee/Monteagle area it gets its hooks into you. There is an interesting mix of people here, ranging from the rural to the well-to-do people with second homes and those who have retired to the area. For a community of this size you have outstanding restaurants, outstanding cultural events, not just at Sewanee but (also involving) the South Cumberland Culture Society, which puts on a summer play and does a radio show focusing on the people and history of the area. There’s the heritage of the Highlander School, the legacy of Mae Justice, and the writers that lived in the area for several generations. Then there’s the Monteagle Assembly (which features historic homes) with its history and the speakers, artists and clergy that area brings in,' he says.

Though Monteagle Mountain features its share of educated sophistication, Harmon says, the splash of clean living is a sure hit with visitors from large metropolitan areas. ' It’s almost like living back in the fifties. The kids all ride bikes and people have known each other for generations.'

For more information see www.monteagleinn.com