By The Side of the Road B&B, Harrisonburg, Virginia

Located in the heart of Shenandoah Valley, By the Side of the Road B&B has some interesting stories to tell about war and peace. It was once the home of one of the early leaders of Mennonite Church and has served as a hospital during the Civil War in General Philip Sheridan’s time as owner. During the general’s time, the home was converted into a hospital. Sheridan’s raider attempted to burn the house but thanks to the interior brick walls, it survived.

The bed and breakfast has gone through various renovations and restorations which has preserved it and enhanced its beauty. Today, the property has been reduced to two acres and it stands as a tribute to the individuals who made it what it is and lived in it all these years. It is now managed by innkeepers Anna Bergey, Janice and Dennis Fitzgerald.

This historic b&b was built just a bit after the American Revolution, and it was used a Civil War hospital in 1864. It is said that when the area was burned by Union soldiers, the flame-retardant building just wouldn’t catch fire, so it became a sort of haven during the war. Rumor has it that some uneasy spirits from those times still remain here, and they like to open and close doors and make strange sounds, both at night and during the day.

Norfolk, Virginia, June 5, 2014. From the series, “The Seven Cities.”