East Texas Quarterly Magazine Summer 2013 | Page 13

Romantic & Historic Getaways
Bed & Breakfast’s of East Texas
Looking for a relaxing place to get away from the hustle
and bustle of everyday life, why not reward yourself
with a quiet weekend at anyone of the multitude of
bed and breakfast which dot the landscape of East
Texas?

than a half century later under the leadership of the
current owners, David and Pat Stiles, who bought the
hotel in 1992.
Mamie Neyland Patten was born in Jasper in 1868.
She attended Jasper Male and Female College and
later taught music there. She married James Madison
You can choose from any number of B&B’s. There are Patten in 1888 and they had four children, Carl, Belle,
three in the Jasper area and as many as 19 B&B’s listed in Jim, and Robert – before Mr. Patten died in 1898.
nearby Nacogdoches. From a historic downtown hotel to Mamie served as postmistress several years before
a 700-acre working tree farm, the options are endless. going into the hotel business.
Here are just a few to choose from:
After years of standing empty and in bad reBelle-Jim Hotel
pair, the grand old building
was restored by Ben and Ann
Jasper
Situated on the
Griffin.
The
idea
of
turncourthouse
ing it into a bed and breakfast
square, the Bellebecame a reality.
Jim Hotel was built
in the fall of 1910.
Today, the Belle-Jim offers a complete
breakfast menu seven days a week
Mamie Patten, a
and lunch Monday through Friday. The
local
widow,
hotel dining rooms play host to Jascommissioned
per civic organizations such as the
William P. Cook to
Pilot Club, the Kiwanis and Evening
build the hotel.
Lions Club.
Mrs. Patten had
been running the “Brick Hotel”
Swann Hotel
on the southwest corner of
Jasper
the square, but had plans for a
Built
in 1901, The Swann Hotel
larger and better facility.
offers the elegance and classic
The Belle-Jim, named for
Mrs. Patten’s two daughters
was a favorite for East Texas traveling salesmen. Mamie provided good food
and
a
touch
of
true
hospitality.
The
heyday of the hotel was during the 20s, 30s and 40s.
It had an excellent reputation for good food and
unexcelled beds. That reputation holds true more

hospitality of a full service boutique hotel.
Lovingly restored to its original splendor by
current owners Jerry and Mary Simon, the
Swann Hotel offers guests the perfect
combination of hospitality and
world-class charm within walking distance of the courthouse square.

Newly renovated landscaping and exterior
enhancements, attractive balconies and porches on
the front and rear of the hotel, polished hardwood

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