30 Years of Southern Charm: Celebrating a Milestone at the Judge Porter House

Thirty years ago, we opened the doors of the Judge Porter House with a simple dream: to provide a warm, historic sanctuary for travelers discovering the magic of Natchitoches. We started with a humble vision and a passion for preservation, never imagining that one house would grow into the premier collection of historic stays known today as Natchitoches Bed and Breakfast.

Today, as we celebrate our 30th Anniversary, we find ourselves looking back at the journey that turned a single inn into our cherished family of four properties.

Natchitoches First: Our Philosophy & Impact

While we take great pride in our rooms and our breakfasts, our primary goal has always been to sell Natchitoches first. We believe our "Family of Inns" is more than just a place to sleep; it’s a gateway to the oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase.

Beyond hospitality, we are proud of our role in the local economy. Over the last 30 years, Natchitoches Bed and Breakfast has contributed well over $270,000.00 in occupancy taxes alone to the Natchitoches Convention and Tourism Bureau.

When guests stay with us, they don't just stay in a room; they shop in our boutiques, dine in our restaurants, and visit our historic attractions, bringing a massive secondary economic impact to the city we love so dearly.

Growing the Natchitoches Bed and Breakfast Family

Our story didn’t stop at the Judge Porter House. To offer our guests even more ways to experience the beauty of our city, we expanded our family of inns over the years:

• 2004: The elegant Queen Anne joined our collection.

• 2008: We welcomed the cozy, picturesque charm of Violet Hill.

• 2009: The Andrew Morris House rounded out our family.

Adapting with the Times

The world has changed a lot since 1996! We’ve transitioned from physical guestbooks to the digital age, embracing the social media world to share the beauty of our inns with people across the globe. Whether you follow our updates on Facebook, see our latest photos on Instagram, or read our stories here on the blog, we love being able to stay connected with our "extended family" of guests every single day.

A Legacy of Excellence

While our buildings are historic, we strive for a modern standard of perfection. For over a decade, our properties have swept the rankings, consistently holding the Top Four spots for B&Bs in Natchitoches on TripAdvisor.

Thanks to your support, we have maintained perfect 5-bubble ratings on TripAdvisor and 5-star reviews on Google. We are also deeply honored by the recent recognition from the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce’s Go Natchitoches Awards:

• Judge Porter House: Winner, Lodging Category (2022-2023)

• Violet Hill: Winner, Lodging Category (2023-2024)

• Andrew Morris House: Winner, Lodging Category (2024-2025)

• The Queen Anne: We are thrilled to announce she is a Finalist for 2025-2026! The final selection will be made this February.

Did You Know?

Our halls have seen many special moments—some of which even made it to the silver screen! A scene from the movie The American Standards, starring the legendary James Brolin and Johanna Cassidy was filmed right here in a Judge Porter House guest room. It was an honor to have our historic charm captured on film and to host a piece of cinematic history.

Looking Forward

Whether you stayed with us at the Judge Porter House back in 1996 or recently enjoyed a weekend at the Andrew Morris House, thank you. You are the reason we’ve spent the last three decades perfecting our recipes and sharing the history of Natchitoches.

Explore all four of our award-winning properties and book your next stay at www.natchitochesbandb.com

About the Authors:

Tod Working is the owner and visionary behind Natchitoches Bed and Breakfast. Since opening the Judge Porter House in 1996, Tod has been dedicated to the "Natchitoches First" philosophy, working tirelessly to preserve the city’s historic charm while contributing to its economic growth. His passion for excellence has led the inns to over a decade of top-tier rankings and community accolades.

Angela Price is the Manager and Reservation Specialist for the Natchitoches Bed and Breakfast family of inns. With over 14 years of dedicated service, Angela is the "voice" of the business, personally handling reservations and managing the talented team of innkeepers and housekeepers who make every stay special. Together, Tod and Angela lead with a shared heart for Southern hospitality and a deep love for the Natchitoches community.