A brief history
The town of Cheriton was founded in circa 1886. The Cheriton House Inn was built in circa 1889 with its completion being 1900, per an engraving by the brick mason, found during renovation in the mortar of the chimney: "OEF, August 14, 1900 A.D." The house was actually built by Mr. Sterling who also built other houses in the town. Using this house as their residence, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling raised their daughter, Ruby, here.
During the early 1900's, there was only one way across the bay and that was a ferry that traveled to what is now known as Little Creek, on the Virginia Beach side of the Chesapeake Bay. The ferry did not run every day, making it difficult for travelers. Having little or no money, they would trade services for room and board; some of these travelers would hand paint pictures on the bare plaster walls of homes. During renovation, we found and were able to save four of these original works! In one of the lake scene paintings, a small sailboat has a name on her bow reading "Ruby".
In the 1970's the Sandlin's purchased the house from the elderly Charles Costin, Ruby's son. The house was in disrepair and it took many years to restore it making it a residential home once again. In January of 2000, Mr. Sandlin began the first stages of repair and renovation, for a second time, that has brought this Eastern Shore style vintage home up to today's standards, with a flair of the past. Much has been done, though not completed, we are proud to share our home with you, as: The Cheriton House Inn.
Please come in, make yourself at home and enjoy the peace and quiet of small town living. In the quiet folds of the Cheriton House Inn you will find old and new blended together. This old style home has 107-year-old window glass, wood floors, trim & casings and antique furnishings that meld perfectly with current fixtures, new paint and some modern day comforts.
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