Built in 1915 to support a railroad line from Abington, Virgina, to the North Carolina mountains, the hotel thrived for over a half century as the hub of West Jefferson, located in Ashe County in the northwest part of the state.

In 1977, due to the closing of the railroad and bus lines, the hotel was forced to close its doors for about 50 years.

Bought in 2019, Mark Beck and his family began a 5-year journey to restore the hotel to its former prominence and grandeur.

Opening its doors to the future in July of this year, this is the story of one family's persistence and the resilience of an old hotel. Mark and his daughter Lily have given a new meaning to the words "grit" and "resilience".

Complete with pictures, this is their story of the restoration of a landmark.