About Us

Bonne Terre opened in 1996, and was managed by its original owners until Charles and Kimbel Orr purchased Bonne Terre in June of 2005.

The Orrs came to DeSoto County from Tallahassee, Fla., where Charles ran the Governors Inn for 15 years. Located just half a block from the Florida State Capitol complex, the 40-room inn was a popular place for lobbyists, legislators and businessmen. Kimbel worked as executive assistant to the late Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles before serving as executive director to the Lawton Chiles Foundation for seven years.

Charles and Kimbel, who have been married since 1981, began looking for property in 2005 after their two sons left home to attend the University of Florida. The couple found Bonne Terre after searching online for a bed and breakfast opportunity away from the fast-paced life of the city. They first visited Bonne Terre on Valentine's Day of 2005 and were immediately drawn to its natural beauty and harmony.

The Orrs have two sons, Phillip and Reilly, and a dog Holly.