By Jamie Strickland
At opposite ends of Johnston County, two women are proving that preservation can also be progress. Through the restoration of two historic homes turned bed and breakfasts, they have safeguarded pieces of their towns’ heritage while creating spaces that now contribute to their economic vitality.
Like the communities surrounding them, both The Grande Magnolia of Benson and The Magnolia Inn of Clayton have seen many chapters throughout the years. Thanks to the vision and commitment of the women who brought them back to life, these historic homes are continuing their stories in a way that brings renewed beauty and value to their towns.
The Grande Magnolia of Benson
Nancy Johnstone-Robertson grew up not too far from Downtown Benson, off of Stancil Road in the McGee’s Crossroads area. She remembers admiring the big white mansion situated on N. Railroad Street as a little girl. She never imagined she would one day be its owner.
As a general contractor, Nancy had been working to renovate several other homes in the area of the mansion when she was approached by the owner about buying that one and restoring it, too. After some persuasion, she agreed to visit the home, once known as The Macon Hotel.
“I was sitting outside waiting in my car and I just looked up and saw the beautiful old tree out front…it’s at least 120 years old…and thought, ‘well first of all, I would rename it after that magnolia,” she said.
Next, she walked in and was captivated by the grand staircase that stood in the middle of the 12,000-square-foot home. After touring the rest of the empty home, the owner asked what she thought.
“I said, ‘I love it, but I don’t think I can afford it. And I wouldn’t call it The Macon Hotel anymore.’ Preserving the history was really important to him, so he said, ‘Well what would you call it?’ I gestured with my arm out the window to the big magnolia tree out there. The motion of my arm created just enough wind that it made that picture come loose from the wall. It landed flat and it was a picture of a magnolia. The owner didn’t even know where that picture came from. It sent chills down my spine. I took it home with me that night and prayed and prayed about it. That was the sign I needed.”
That picture is now framed and positioned right near the doorway as you enter.
Built in 1912, the original home’s owner was C.T. Johnson, a prominent figure in the early 20th-century development of Benson.
Johnstone-Robertson said the mahogany lumber for the original wood floors, a different pattern in each room, was chosen by Johnson himself and brought by train from Louisiana. His family, including six children lived in the home until he lost it during the Great Depression.
It was sold and converted into apartments for a time, then served as a boarding house and hotel throughout the years.
While preserving as much of the original structure as possible, Johnstone-Robertson has reinforced the floors with 21 additional support beams, added an elevator, modern HVAC, a private bathroom to each upstairs bedroom suite, preserved the home’s eight fireplaces, renovated the kitchen and turned the third story into a beautiful salon and spa area.
“This house will be here for at least another 150 years,” she said.
The home is now fully equipped to accommodate wedding parties and other events, and she has plans for further expansion to include guest homes nearby and a large venue hall in the old furniture warehouse next door, which will all become part of the Grande Magnolia property.
Nancy’s at the Grande Magnolia restaurant and The Boiler Room Bar are open to the public.
The Magnolia Inn of Clayton
Jordan Robinson grew up in South Carolina playing beneath the canopy of large magnolia trees, a memory that would later take on new meaning in her work and life.
Before purchasing what is now The Magnolia Inn of Clayton, Robinson spent more than a decade in public affairs and communications with the Marine Corps. Her career included time in Washington, D.C., where she gained extensive experience in travel, hosting, diplomacy and large-scale event coordination.
Those skills, along with her entrepreneurial drive and experience planning her own wedding in England, led her toward hospitality, where creating meaningful guest experiences felt like a natural next step.
Built in 1895, the home was originally known as the Oscar G. Smith House. Smith was a cotton and textile tycoon during Clayton’s mill town era and also owned a grocery store downtown. The home remained in his family for three generations and, over time, carried several different names, including The Morning Glory and McWade’s Inn.
It was converted into a bed and breakfast in the late 1990s and operated for nearly 20 years by Betsy and Michael Grannis, founders of The Clayton Steakhouse, who hosted weddings and events there before retiring and selling the property.
When Robinson purchased the home, she undertook a full restoration, investing her retirement savings into the project. She and her husband, along with their daughter, lived in the home during the renovation.
“Every piece of furniture, decor, light fixtures — we did that,” she said. “I plan on keeping it forever.”
Today, The Magnolia Inn features seven guest rooms, each designed with its own theme, character and personal touches. The property has become a popular destination for weddings and family gatherings, with some groups reserving the entire inn for the weekend.
In addition to overnight guests, the inn now serves as an event space for the community, hosting events like teas, brunches, live music, candlelight concerts, bridal showers, baby showers and cocktail receptions. An events director has been added as demand continues to grow and plans are underway to convert the courtyard for outdoor weddings.
Robinson has also worked closely with the Town of Clayton, including receiving a facade grant to improve the property’s landscaping and exterior. She said community support has played a significant role in the inn’s growth.
“This is just an amazing community to start a business,” she said. “Within my first week of being here, I joined the Chamber and it was like I had an instant pop-up family.”
The home itself continues to reveal pieces of its past, including a hidden passageway through a closet in what is now the Magnolia Suite, believed to have once led to a cigar lounge during the Prohibition era.
Looking ahead, Robinson hopes to continue refining the property and expanding its offerings, with long-term aspirations that include restoring additional historic homes and developing similar bed and breakfast properties in other communities.
Community Impact
Ashby Brame, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the Johnston County Visitors Bureau said they are excited about the value the Magnolias bring to the area.
“As JoCo’s historic downtowns continue to build momentum and flourish, it’s wonderful to see local owner-operators like Jordan and Nancy with the vision and determination to bring places like Magnolia Inn and The Grande Magnolia to life,” she said. “Inns are often much more than a place for travelers to feel at home away from home; they are gathering places for the communities they reside in, offering amenities like event space, restaurants, spas and special programming for the benefit of both residents and visitors.”
In their own distinct ways, both homes show that when history is carefully considered and thoughtfully reimagined, it doesn’t simply remain in the past, but becomes part of a town’s present and future.
