History of 20 W Market Street

Colonial Beginnings (1760)

20 W Market Street is one of the oldest buildings in the town of Leesburg. The original structure was built in 1760 as a log building known as an ordinary, or tavern. Established by Nicholas Minor, it served as a hub for travelers making the journey between Winchester and Alexandria — a halfway point where, for a fixed price, they could enjoy a meal and lodging for the evening.

There were several ordinaries in the area where travelers gathered to socialize and enjoy games such as cards, board games, and Ninepins, a precursor to modern bowling. In our research, we also found that there may have been some "shenanigans" as well....

During its time as an ordinary, the building welcomed George Washington, who reportedly wrote a letter to the owner requesting that a special dish be prepared for his next visit — jowls and greens, a meal consisting of pork and vegetables.

The Peers Hotel & Tavern (1817 - 1854)

In 1817, Eleanor Peers and her brother-in-law, Henry Peers, purchased the property and established the Peers Hotel and Tavern. Just three years later, Ms. Peers bought out Henry's interest in the business, becoming one of Leesburg's most influential female business owners.

During the hotel's early years, another famous guest passed through its doors. In 1825, while touring the United States, the Marquis de Lafayette was hosted here for dinner by former President and friend James Monroe, along with then-President John Quincy Adams.

After Ms. Peers' passing, the property was purchased in 1854 by Dr. Armistead R. Mott, a prominent local physician. He transformed the once-bustling hotel into a private family residence, where the Mott family lived for nearly fifty years.

A New Chapter (1914 - 1945)

The Mott heirs sold the property to the Chamberlin family in 1914. They operated the building primarily as a boarding house and rental property for local tenants and workers.

The Chamberlins helped bridge the property's transition from private residence back to a public destination. In 1941, they leased the building to be revived as a colonial-style restaurant and inn, officially creating the Laurel Brigade Inn. Just four years later, in 1945, the family sold the property to Roy Flippo and his family.

The Laurel Brigade Inn

Under the Flippo family's management, the Laurel Brigade Inn became one of Loudoun County's best-known restaurants and inns.

The six-room hotel also served as a retreat for prominent political figures, military leaders, and celebrities. Notable guests included General George C. Marshall (who lived nearby at Dodona Manor), President Harry S. Truman, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and actress Elizabeth Taylor.

From Historic Inn to Modern Offices

After struggling financially, the Flippo family closed the Inn in 2003.

By the next year, the property was purchased by a group that renovated the interior into professional offices while preserving its historic architecture. In 2021, the building was sold again and officially rebranded as 20 W Market Street.

Today, it is home to law firms and financial professionals, including Integrated Wealth Advisors.

Original town plan of Leesburg, drafted in 1759.

Portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette, taken in Leesburg during his 1825 tour of the United States.

Newspaper advertisement for the Laurel Brigade Inn, c. 1970s