Pannell’s Inn

Pannell’s Inn. 613 North Augusta Street, Staunton, Virginia. The Pannell's Inn, a beacon of hospitality in the local African- American community in Staunton, Virginia, during a time of segregation and discrimination, stood proudly at 613 N. Augusta Street. Its three-story planked Victorian structure, adored with gingerbread trim and expansive porches, reflected the architectural trends of the post-Civil War era. , , The house was originally purchased in 1897 by Staunton's first African American physician, Dr. Morris W. Pannell and his wife Charlotte for their home and office. The house eventually passed to their daughter, Placid (1893-1972), and husband, Frank Allen Evans (1893-1970), a World War I veteran. They established a boarding house or "Tourist Home" which became known as Pannell's Inn, providing lodging for "Colored Tourists and Chauffeurs," offering room, board, and bath to travelers between the 1930s and 1960s. There is no record of when the Inn closed. , , Pannell's Inn was listed in the "Negro Travelers' Green Book," which served as a guide for African Americans traveling throughout the country during the segregation era. The Green Book listed local establishments, from hotels and restaurants to beauty salons and gas stations that would welcome their business. The Pannell's Inn provided lodging to travelers from migrant apple pickers to the famous Mills Brothers jazz quartet, the first African American artists to have their own show on national network radio in 1930. , , Pannell's Inn was a hub of community engagement. Placid, a talented beautician and music teacher, offered piano lessons and shared her musical talents at the nearby Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Frank operated a barber shop on the back of the property, providing essential services to both locals and travelers alike. The barber shop still stands at 512 N. New Street. , , By 1977, the Evans' goddaughter, Placid Jean Parker, who resided in Buffalo, Ny, owned the house. Mes. Parker made the difficult decision to demolish the beloved home. as extensive maintenance and repairs deemed it unsustainable, and also in part to the pressure of the urban renewal efforts that reshaped the landscape of Staunton in the 1960s. , , The dismantling of the building revealed an earlier structure. Underneath the neat clapboard siding and elaborate front porch were older, hand-hewn oak and chestnut logs. Architectural historian William T. Frazier, then director of Historic Staunton Foundation, noted that the V-notching of the whitewashed logs, mud mortar reinforced with pig bristles, and the ax marks on the beams and joists indicated that the cabin was probably built before 1840. It is unclear when the historic log structure was covered with clapboard and decorative trim. Sanborn Insurance Maps show a progression of expansions on the house between 1891 and 1909, indicating that the work could date to that period. , , The original log structure beneath its Victorian slipcover, extended the length of the building along Augusta Street. As one of the few remaining 19th century log buildings in the city, it served as an example of the evolution of architectural styles throughout the 19th century. Parts of the house still live on as the original flooring and ceiling logs were sold to a private buyer in Washington, DC. , (captions) , Frank Evans was bom on May 2, 1893, and died on January 20, 1970 at the age of 77 and Placid Pannell Evans was born on December 4 1893 and died on August 4, 1972 at the age of 78. , , Pannel's Inn was a refuge for colored tourists in Staunton seeking respite from the harsh realities of segregation. , , Though The Pannell's Inn building may be lost to history, its legacy of hospitality, community, and resilience left an indelible mark on the fabric of Staunton's history. , , Placid Evans was a talented musician in the Staunton African American community. , , Former barber shop at 512 N. New Street. , , Photo credit: Bill Brown,Staunton Newsleader, 1977.