Barclay Cottage Bed and Breakfast
Built in 1895
Welcoming Guests Since 1917
This Victorian styled cottage with its two story wrap-around porch was built in 1895 by the Norfolk and Virginia Beach Railroad as the clubhouse for a golf course that was to be laid out around Lake Holly. The course was never built and the cottage became the home of the Williamson family until sold by Vertie Griggs Williamson and her husband W. E. Williamson to Lillian St. Claire Barclay in December, 1916. Lillian Barclay lived with her parents in the house and ran it as a guesthouse beginning in 1917, making it the longest continuously operating lodging facility in Hampton Roads.
Located at the corner of 16th Street and Arctic Avenue, Miss Lillian’s home was also the site of several of Edgar Cayce’s readings. He was a friend and neighbor of Miss Lillian, as he lived on Arctic Circle, right behind Star of the Sea Catholic Church.
Miss Barclay also ran a primary school at this location for 50 years. During the summer, the classrooms would be turned into guest rooms. They would raise the little desks to the attic by hooking a pully over a rafter in the attic, and then lower the bedroom furniture.