Story by Lyda Kay Ferree, The Southern Lifestyles Lady. Photography courtesy of John Dumont of The Commodore Inn.

Recently I drove a short distance from Jackson to the peaceful town of Clifton, Tennessee (pop: 1,000) where I was a guest at The Commodore Inn at Clifton. After a particularly demanding workweek, I was more than ready for a weekend escape.

I knew about The Commodore Inn after being a guest and writing about its sister property—the historic Commodore Hotel & Café in Linden, Tennessee, a short distance (approximately 20 miles) from Clifton.
The Commodore Inn in Clifton, Tennessee is a casual and welcoming bed and breakfast located in a Victorian house at 204 West Pillow Street just steps from the Tennessee River. The inn has five guest rooms, all of which have King beds, premium linens, private baths, flat screen Roku Streaming Television, and free Wi-Fi. Four guest rooms are on the second floor, and one guest room is downstairs. My upstairs guest room had handsome hardwood floors and was spacious and quiet.

A self-serve breakfast is offered to guests of the inn. This practice vs. a sit-down meal began during COVID-19 and has continued at the guests’ request. “Our guests seem to enjoy getting up when they like vs. a seated breakfast at a certain time,” said John Dumont, Innkeeper. “We will continue with self-serve breakfast offering hot and cold breakfast items, muffins, coffee, tea and juice served at our guests’ leisure.”

With a steaming mug of coffee and a sausage and biscuit in hand, I enjoyed the peace and quiet of the morning at the inn. Few people were stirring on the street or in the town.

Guests may relax indoors or out. There is a television in the front parlor/sitting room. There are several inviting common areas, two porches (front and back), a wedding gazebo, swimming pool, and gardens. The grounds are spacious, and the inn is a short walk to riverfront parks.

History of the Inn

William Alford (Alfred) Hughes was the only son born to Thomas Ridley (T.R.) and Mary Frances Montague. William’s father, Thomas, and his brother, Frank, established a mercantile business in Clifton in 1854 calling it T.S. Hughes & Co. They sold the finest staple dry goods, clothing, notions, shoes, furniture and many other items. It was a very successful trade business in the town and the county. William grew up and married Lillian Taylor. They had nine children of their own. William was the town banker and merchant in Clifton who built the stately home on Pillow Street. Because his father owned the finest store in the town, he had access to quality items for his own home.

There have been only three owners of this house in its 123-year history.

The house is in the Victorian period style. Many of the fixtures in the house are original. The floors are original as is the stained glass in the front window in the parlor. Some of the windows are original to the house as are the front staircase and the parlor doors. The lighting fixture in the den is original to the house and was a fixture in what is now the dining room as is a claw-footed tub in a guest room. All of the windows above the doors are original to the house. Little has changed since William Hughes built this house.

Michael and Kathy Dumont (Michael is the brother of John Dumont, owner of The Commodore Inn at Clifton) purchased this important property at an estate auction in October of 2015. The property is available for overnight guests and may be used for weddings, group meetings and functions, family reunions and the like.

Commodore Inn Added to National Register of Historic Places

Recently The Tennessee Historical Commission announced that The Commodore Inn in Clifton has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Michael and Kathy Dumont, proprietors, purchased and fully restored the property, converting the private residence beautifully into a five-bedroom bed and breakfast. They, along with innkeepers John and Sharon Dumont, spent two years on the stringent submission process for the National Registry. The historic Commodore Inn has been open to the public since 2017.

“Kathy and I have spent much of our careers restoring historic property,” said Michael Dumont. “We saw the potential of Hughes House the first time we stepped through the doors. Restoring the house to its original grandeur is enough of a reward. Seeing the property placed on the National Historic Registry is the best kind of affirmation about our vision and the completed work.”

“It’s been a dream for Sharon and me to serve as innkeepers at this gorgeous property,” added John Dumont. “Our guests come from as far away as Stockholm, Sweden, and as near as Savannah, TN to stay with us and experience this special place.”

Genuine Hospitality and Classy Accommodations

Upon arrival, my friendly host, John Dumont, greeted me and gave me a tour of the inn. Originally from Rhode Island and residents of the west coast of Florida for 14 years, John and his wife, Sharon, share a passion for the arts and are both quite accomplished in their mediums. John’s artistic endeavor is photography. He has won numerous photography awards. Sharon is The Commodore’s resident artist. She also has a love for photography and handmade pottery.

A charming one-room schoolhouse was built for the nine children of the original Hughes family. This family schoolhouse is the only schoolhouse in Clifton. It is located in the back yard of the inn. The children’s writing remains on one wall of the little schoolhouse!

“We are trying to attract art groups to use the inn as their base of operations and plan their ‘Art Escape’ to Clifton to pursue their independent art adventure/getaway,” said the Dumonts. Recently there was a Writer’s Workshop for guests from Nashville who were guests at the inn for four days.

The Commodore Inn at Clifton offers personalized service in an historic setting of a bed and breakfast. It is casual and welcoming and quiet, all of which appealed to me after a hectic week.

I thoroughly enjoyed my peaceful stay at The Commodore Inn. The Dumonts were hospitable, and it was obvious to me that they are enjoying their lifestyle in Clifton.

What To Know

The Commodore Inn at Clifton
204 W. Pillow Street, Clifton, TN 38425
(931) 328-7969
www.commodoreinnclifton.com