McKinley Edwards Inn

Located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, McKinley Edwards Inn, formerly The Charleston Inn, is honored to boast some of Bryson City’s most exciting history. The Main and Carriage Houses were built in 1922, by the Honorable Judge McKinley Edwards, a decorated Marine War Hero of WWI, and his lovely wife Mrs. Annie Angel Edwards, a prominent Business Woman.

After returning from the war, McKinley acquired his Law Degree from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. The Edwards family moved to Bryson City in 1920, where Counselor Edwards began a 40 year, colorful and impressive law career, during the course of which he defended 88 first-degree murder cases without a single death-penalty conviction. Before becoming a Judge, Counselor Edwards argued many cases before the North Carolina Supreme Court, and even some cases before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Mr. and Mrs. Edwards loved Bryson City and contributed to the community in many ways. McKinley served many times on the Board of Education, and Representative to the North Carolina State Legislature. He was well known as a man who loved his family and also loved studying the Bible. Annie Edwards was no less remarkable than her husband. She was a most energetic and very resourceful lady. In addition to making a home for her husband and four children, Annie engaged in many successful businesses ventures. The Tuckaseegee restaurant, the Edwards Dress Shop, the Edwards House, a boarding house for teachers, and the Edwards Apartments. (Now 14 Spacious Hotel Rooms) Her initiative and resourcefulness were obvious when she built the Edwards Apartments in 1940. She began this venture with a car, a double garage, and good credit. She drew up a plan for expanding the double garage into a 35 room structure, hired a carpenter whom she paid , partially with an automobile, secured the necessary construction materials from her creditors, and over saw the construction of 7 five-room apartments. After the completion of this four-story building, Annie Edwards’ kind, friendly, motherly treatment of her renters manifested itself for the 46 years she managed this business.

McKinley and Annie Edwards had four children --- Marie, Herman, Helen and Louise. Herman followed in his father’s profession and became a lawyer, equally as outstanding as his father; Helen became a business woman, hardworking and successful like her mother; Marie and Louise both became teachers, serving school children in a kind, caring and concerned manner for over 30 years each.

McKinley Edwards Inn is perfect for a romantic getaway, an exciting outdoor adventure or a relaxing vacation. Our rooms in the Great Smokies offer eclectic, ‘Shabby Chic’ decor with king or queen beds, private baths, some having Jacuzzi tubs, private decks, porches, air conditioning, and high speed wireless internet access. All rooms have new pillow-top gel foam Serta Mattresses, Serta iComfort Memory Foam Pillows, 950 TC Sheets and Pillow Cases, Plush Bedding, Thick Thirsty Towels, 32” High Definition, Flat Screen LED TVs, Direct TV with over 250 channels, including SHOWTIME. Our rooms also offer Great Skin, Body and Hair Products, as well as great coffee and in room coffee makers.
There is also a beautiful 2BR/1BA cabin available for your next getaway. Of course, our Great Smoky Mountain vacation packages are a convenient way to explore Bryson City and the beautiful surrounding areas of Western North Carolina.

Refresh your soul and rekindle romance in the Great Smoky Mountains at our Bryson City Inn. We are the perfect mountain lodging accommodations to celebrate your wedding, honeymoon, anniversary, birthday, business retreat or any other event requiring a beautiful setting and unsurpassed customer service.