jljcam Wow! Who knew such a gem existed one hour from Gainesville, Lake City and Cedar Key?
We attended a funeral in Cross City Florid last week, and decided to stay at the Putnam Lodge. The Chiefland hotels didn’t look very good and the history of this lodge pulled us in. What a delightful surprise!
It was built in the 1920’s in the heart of the timber boom. It was the perfect place for tourists to stop on their way to find that perfect piece of land south. The pecky Cypress and the lodge is gorgeous!
The staff was very attentive, the owner who is so charming had poured her time, money, and love into restoring the building. The restaurant was top-notch! I had the ribeye with homemade mashed potatoes. Wonderful young man in the kitchen who learned his skills working as a teenager! Top notch!
We enjoyed walking through the lodge, reading about its history, and simply looking at the beautiful building built in the 1920s. There were spacious large staircases, beautiful hallways and a perfect room with everything we needed. What a refreshing change from the chain hotels we have stayed at throughout the country. It felt like a bed and breakfast without the breakfast. It was kind of magical for us.
The beds were very comfortable, the linens weren’t that sweaty polyester, and the pillows were just perfect. We stayed in the haunted room, but saw no ghosts, only a spacious closet with the lovely tubs that lean back. It even had an overhead fan, sheers, blinds and block out curtains. We both had a lovely nights sleep!
The lodge has an event room, and a beautiful outdoor space with a 20’ x 20‘ fountain. I sat outside, relaxing, listening to smooth jazz and listening to the birds the owner kept.
Even though we were in Cross City for a sad occasion, it brightened the weekend and I’m still having wonderful memories of staying in this lodge. It was magical for us and I hope you will consider staying there on your next trip anywhere near Cross City. Let’s support these historical gems.You will not regret it.
