Ponder house could become area's latest bed-and-breakfast

Many have seen the neoclassical revival-style house off William Street with the large Abraham Lincoln statue in the front yard. However, the statue isn't connected with the history of the two-story brick home.

Charlotte Cannon, co-owner of a business called Ponder House B&B LLC, said a previous owner had wanted to turn the structure into a bed-and-breakfast called The Lincoln House.

The 3,848-square-foot home at 141 S. Louisiana Ave. is in its last stage of approval before being bought and renovated by Cannon, Sharon Simpkins and Dr. Pat Eachus. In the meantime, the members of the small company are waiting for a special-use permit.

The house has been for sale for over a year and is listed as having three beds and four baths. After Ponder House B&B purchases the property, they intend to open a nighttime restaurant in the former home of A.R. Ponder, run a three-room B&B and host the occasional wedding.

"Our primary goal was finding a place that we could coordinate more than one use," Cannon said. "And my grandpa ... always said, 'You never put all your eggs in one basket."

Brian Langlois pours a cup of tea in the dining room of the Bellevue Bed and Breakfast in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

The delay on achieving a special permit occurred because of parking issues and property inspections.

However, after a public zoning meeting last week, Cannon said the group is finally moving in the right direction and could have the permit soon. Cannon is determined to restore the building to its former glory and make it a testimony to A.R. Ponder, whom she said was one of the most influential people in forming Cape Girardeau.

Ponder built the home in 1905 and for the next four years he lived there with his wife while doing significant work in the railroad, pavement, railcar and electricity industries in Cape Girardeau. Ponder even owned his own brick manufacturing company, called Press Brick Co., as well as eventually becoming an owner and president of different railroads.

Cannon is passionate about revitalizing the Ponder name and restoring the home as close to its original state as possible.

The Ponder house was put on the Cape Girardeau County National Register of Historic Buildings list in 2008, but since then has encountered many changes, including a fire in 2009.

The dining room of the Bellevue Bed and Breakfast in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Cannon estimates the restoration project will begin at $1 million to $1.5 million.

Once the Ponder House B&B opens, it will be one of two traditional B&Bs in Cape Girardeau County.

The other is a family owned business in the heart of downtown Cape Girardeau called the Bellevue Bed and Breakfast. The owners, Linda and Brian Langlois, purchased the property seven years ago, and since then have created a space that reflects their personalities.

Until the announcement of the new B&B, the Langloises considered their establishment the only traditional B&B in the county. Their only competitor is the Neumeyer residence on South Lorimier Street, which doubles as a photography studio and a bed-and-breakfast.

"Living in the historic district is like living within a microcosm within the town," Linda Langlois said.

The couple take great pride in being in the historic district, and it shows in their Southern-style porch and elaborate landscaping that surrounds the property. In the back of the house is a fountain and patio furniture, surrounded by a variety of flowers.

The Langloises received the city's "Keep Cape Beautiful" award in July, and were nominated by their neighbors.

The Bellevue has four rooms for guests; each individually named. The largest room, the Girardot, has a king-size bed on the first floor and is the most expensive at $175 to $195 per night.

Bellevue Bed and Breakfast in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

The historic inn was originally built in 1891. It is a Queen Anne, Victorian style home, and has been restored to preserve much of that history. Photos of the original owners hang in the entryway.

Linda Langlois said one of the best parts of owning a B&B is the ability to choose the dates they're open. The Bellevue is closed until September, so the couple can plan their summer kayaking trips, and they also close during the harshest winter months so they can travel back home to St. Augustine, Florida.

The future Ponder House, however, plans to remain open 24/7, but Cannon agreed, and said when you live where you work, sometimes it is necessary to get away.

"The neat thing about this is I don't view [Bellevue] as competition," Cannon said. "Because we're doing something a little different, and there is more than enough room in Cape."

smaue@semissourian.com

388-3644

pertinent address:

312 Bellevue St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

141 S. Louisiana Ave., Cape Girardeau, Mo.