By Valerie Walker, Bennett Guest Columnist
Andrews – Three generations of Walker descendants recently traveled to Valleytown for a stay at the historic Walker Inn.
William Pitt Walker III of Kennesaw, Ga., is a native of Andrews, and a great-great-grandson of Squire William Walker and Margaret Scott Walker, who built the Walker Inn and ran the Valleytown Post Office & Trading Post.
Walker, who goes by Pitt, is a descendant of William and Margaret Walker’s second son, William Pitt Walker; his son, John William Walker; and his son, William Pitt Walker II.
Pitt grew up on Railroad Street with his parents, William and Myra Walker, in a circa 1910 home, built by his grandfather, John William Walker. That house sits next to John William’s childhood home, built in 1897 by his parents, William Pitt Walker and Sallie Johnson Walker.
Bringing his whole family to Andrews and Valleytown, and spending time together in the Walker Inn is something that Pitt says he’s always wanted to do.
“During much of my father’s life and my time in Andrews, the family did not own the Inn. The first time I toured it was in 1985, several years after my cousin, Margaret Walker Freel, had purchased and restored it,” Pitt said.
“We were so excited when we heard that Jessica and Phil Rickett opened it back up last fall as a bed and breakfast. As soon as Jessica had her official opening in April, we got on the list, and I’m so glad we did.”
Rich history
Having the chance to relax and immerse ourselves in the rich history of our ancestors made me see why they chose to settle in Valleytown. The beauty and magic of this place was something I could have never imagined without being here to experience it.
With the Walker Inn as their “home base,” Pitt took his three grandchildren on a tour through town, to see where he grew up. They had the chance to see his childhood home, and they saw where Pitt’s father first worked for Ed Wood Farms Dairy on Airport Road, and he told them how his father worked for the state Extension service before becoming postmaster of Andrews. The current post office was dedicated during his service.
They visited Valleytown Cemetery to see where family members were buried, and he even showed them where he caught his first trout in Junaluska Creek.
“Since I was a little child, Papa Pitt has told me about his adventures growing up in Andrews. From the steps he climbed on the way to school, to the Andrews Presbyterian Church where he was baptized, I enjoyed every moment of our tour around town,” said Caitlyn Bennett, Pitt’s granddaughter. “I know Andrews holds a special place in his heart, and now we all have memories of it to share.”
About the Walker Inn
The Walker Inn was established in 1840 by Squire William Walker and his wife, Margaret Scott Walker. For many years, it served as a stagecoach stop. The inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The inn today is a historic lodging and event venue in Andrews. It hosts a wide variety of events, from weddings to graduations to community fun like Concerts on the Lawn.
Details: Email Jessica Rickett at walkerinn@icloud.com or call 865-621-1313, visit the inn’s Facebook page and visit the inn’s Instagram page @ thewalkerinn1840.
Valerie Walker Bennett is the daughter of Pitt Walker.