The Virginia House (Hotel) was stricken with terrible luck when it came to fires. In September of 1851 there was a fire that started in the kitchen of the Virginia House that led to the destruction of 2 churches and 16 houses. They rebuilt only to be hit again by fire on July 19, 1856 (the loss is under $10,000). Then on May 23, 1858 a fire came through the town that completely destroyed the hotel.
The property owner Francis Carter and his wife decided to sell the land rather than rebuild. They sold the property early in the year of 1860 to Nat Bailey for $1,250.00. Bailey decided to build a brick structure on the site and called it the Bailey House instead of holding on to the Virginia House name. The Bailey House opened that same year.
1851 - 1860
