An original home of the city of Keystone Heights has been renovated to become a historic inn and bed and breakfast, with a grand opening and tours to be held on Saturday, March 11, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
The Inn at Palmetto, located at 555 S.E. Palmetto Ave., was originally constructed in 1925 as a winter home for Leona Clark Caughey, one of several native Pennsylvanians who traveled to Florida and settled in the lake region to escape the harsh Northeast winter weather.
Keystone Heights itself was originally incorporated in 1925 by J.J. Lawrence as a vacation spot filled with recreational opportunities and health benefits associated with the clean lake waters of the region.
Interestingly, it was 99 years ago (April 1924) that the now-demolished Keystone Inn celebrated a similar grand opening — only a stone’s throw from where the Inn at Palmetto is opening its doors. In the same vein as that original inn, the Inn at Palmetto will pride itself on historic ambience, small-town charm and Southern hospitality.
You can find more details on the event on The Inn at Palmetto’s Facebook page as well as at theinnatpalmetto.com.
It is requested that visitors park at the Keystone Beach parking lot and walk to the inn as parking will be limited on the day of the event.
Reservations can be made via its website or by phone at 904-755-6831.
The whole inn will also be available to rent for special events and occasions.
The home was purchased in 2014 by Kerry Cooper Collings, a Keystone Heights native and Class of 1987 Keystone Heights Jr.-Sr. High School alumnus. Despite many recommendations to tear the property down, Collins chose to renovate the property back to its historic heritage.
“I didn’t buy the property to tear it down,” she said. “I bought it to preserve a piece of this town that has meant so much to me.”
Renovations on the two-story home began in 2015 and were completed in 2022 — a lengthy process that had to take into account the active-duty military career of Collins’ husband.
The Inn at Palmetto boasts three bedrooms and sits on one-half acre in the historic, downtown area of Keystone Heights, across from the city park and library. An interesting feature of the home is that it has a basement, which is unusual to the area.
Inside the inn, visitors will be treated to a piece of history infused with modern conveniences. Thoughtful restoration has been done of the original fireplace, original heart-of-pine wood floors and exposed stair treads, which bear the stamp of the Keystone Heights Lumber Company. Along with these historic elements, the Inn has been remodeled with a completely updated kitchen, beautiful and modern bathrooms, and a porch that beckons one to sit and swing and invite friends to meet them on the porch at The Inn at Palmetto.
Inquiries for additional information can be made to: [email protected].
