History of Mavis Manor

Probably the most pretentious Lilly home was built by Dr. Lonnie Lilly at the Flat Top Post Office and on the Mercer County line very much on the inspiration of his wife, a Miss Sue Tickle, who was said to be from the Bluefield area. She first married a McCormack, who was killed in an accident shortly after their marrage (in a buggy accident) and she then married Dr. Lonnie Lilly and she operated a millinery shop st Dunns and there she drew her plans for their home which they built at Flat Top containing twelve rooms with two long halls extending the length of the house and containing also ten closets and seven fireplaces. The right side of the house had an entrance to Dr. Lilly's office for his patients's entry and in his office he had a trap door with shelves that lowered to the basement to keep his medical supplies in days before refrigeration so that the medicaine could be stored in the cooler level when it was not being used. (The flat area on the top of the house is ten feet by fifteen feet with a balcony type railing around it was used for sight seeing and star gazing, removed in 1978.) The house was built in approximately 1897 and was designed to keep overnight patients who traveled long distance for treatment. (The original lot size was 104 x 106 feet located in Giles Turnpike. James Rose purchased an additional 30 acres in the 1960s. The material to build the home was hauled in on several horse drawn wagon via Ellison Ridge from Hinton, this was before Route 19/21. Cost of building was $5,000.)" A History of Shady Spring District, Compiled and Published by the Shady Spring District Woman’s Club (1979).

Your first glance of the Mavis Manor your mind takes you back to a time when life was slower, people were kinder, and life was your own. This 1897 Queen Anne Victorian Country Manor which sit in the heart of the small hamlet of Flat Top, which is perfect for star gazing, bird watching or just plain relaxing. The vast majority of inns, and all of the good ones, have plenty of privacy. Your room should be quiet and free from interruption. You won't be forced to interact with other guests, nor will you have to sit down with the innkeeper and look at old family photos. At a small inn, you may be able to go through your entire stay without ever seeing any other guests -- try that at a hotel! Innkeepers tend to be very concerned with their guests' privacy and do everything they can to respect it.