Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House & a Giveaway

ByTamera Alexander
56 Comments

If you’ve ever visited Lynchburg, Tennessee, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House. Miss Mary’s is a treasured historical site and wonderful Southern family-style restaurant—and a centerpiece of my upcoming novel In These Hills (September 8, 2026).

Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House in Lynchburg, TN, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was originally built in 1867 over a natural spring and was used as a traveler’s hotel. Back then it was known as the ‘Salmon House’ and was run be Dr. E.Y. Salmon. When Dr. Salmon retired in the early 1900’s, Mary Bobo and her husband purchased the property and changed the name to the Bobo Hotel. Miss Mary operated the boarding house until her death in 1983, just shy of her 102nd birthday.

Miss Mary Bobo, a very primary secondary character in In These Hills

Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House has long served up tradition and Southern hospitality, not to mention good home cooking. Located in the heart of Lynchburg, TN, just off the town square, it possesses a history almost as rich as Miss Mary’s Fudge Pie [recipe below] and was built before Lynchburg became home to Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey.

Jack Daniel was a regular at Miss Mary’s table, dining alongside her boarders and local guests. I can only imagine the stories shared there—and I would have loved a seat among them.

Move to current day…

Every week, Miss Mary’s publishes their weekly menu on their Facebook page so visitors can plan ahead. It’s always wise to make a reservation for Miss Mary’s. The food is legendary, and so are the crowds.

It’s family style seating with a lazy Susan in the center of the table where dishes can be easily passed. And they’ll keep refilling those dishes until you’re full!

Last September, Miss Mary’s shared one of their most requested recipes… Miss Mary Bobo’s Fudge Pie, and it is definitely worth making (whether or not you choose to add a splash of Jack is totally up to personal taste).

Miss Mary Bobo’s Fudge Pie

¼ cup butter (aka: 1/2 stick)
1 ½ cups sugar
3 Tablespoons of cocoa powder
2 eggs, beaten
½ cup evaporated milk
1 Tablespoon Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
1 9” Basic graham cracker pie crust
Whipped Cream

CLICK FOR RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS &
TO VISIT MISS MARY BOBO’S BOARDING HOUSE FACEBOOK PAGE

Have you ever visited Lynchburg, TN? Or pulled up a chair at Miss Mary Bobo’s? Or toured Jack Daniel’s Distillery? Such rich history—and people— which is partially why I chose to set In These Hills there.

To celebrate our newly updated blog, I’m hosting a GIVEAWAY straight from the shelves of Miss Mary Bobo’s gift shop! The winner will receive a Miss Mary Bobo’s mug, some candy—plus other little goodies I think you’ll love!

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

  1. COMMENT BELOW
  2. FOLLOW ME ON BOOKBUB
  3. US MAILING ADDRESSES ONLY PLEASE
  4. WINNER announced on my July 7 blog

Blessings on your Tuesday and thanks for being part of our community here,

Tammy

The next SOUTHERN MANSION READER WEEKEND is in the works!

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Tamera Alexander is a USA Today bestselling novelist and one of today's most beloved authors of inspirational historical romance and women’s contemporary fiction. While being Gram Tam is her current favorite role, she’ll never turn down a stroll through an old cemetery or browsing through antique shops. In These Hills, her newest novel, releases September 2026.

56 Comments

  1. It sounds like a wonderful place to visit – we’ve never been. And that menu! I think it would be worth the long trip just for the food lol. Thank you for the opportunity to win. Already follow you. Blessings on your day.

  2. Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House sounds like a fabulous place to visit and dine. I’ve never been to Lynchburg, TN, but I’ve now added it to my destinations to go list. I can see it as a wonderful place to stop over on a large trip or a single destination place.
    Thank you for the chance to win such a fun giveaway!

  3. Have never visited Lynchburg, TN, but have relatives in Lynchburg, VA. Miss Mary Bobo’s restaurant sounds lovely. I have copied the fudge pie recipe. Excited for your new book. Historical fiction is my favorite genre!

  4. We visited Lynchburg, did the distiller tour and ate at Mrs Mary’s two years ago. The food was so delicious, served family-style. We met other travelers at our table as we shared the meal, and our hostess shared the story of Mrs Mary Bobo. It is a great memory, along with the historical B&B where we stayed a few nights -the Lynchburg Valley Inn.

  5. We visited Lynchburg, did the distiller tour and ate at Mrs Mary’s two years ago. The food was so delicious, served family-style. We met other travelers at our table as we shared the meal, and our hostess shared the story of Mrs Mary Bobo. It is a great memory, along with the historical B&B where we stayed a few nights -the Lynchburg Valley Inn.

  6. That pie looks yummy and I would love to pull up a chair at that table. When I was growing up we had a 6’round table. Random plank. My mother sanded it because it was painted. My father got it from a co worker. It was in their garage. I used it for cutting out sewing projects and typing my term papers for school. We lived in a cobblestone house built in 1836. It is on the National Register and is now a museum.

  7. This pie sounds amazing! I think I may need to try making it for our next church lunch. I’ve never been to Lynchburg, but it sounds like a place I would love. We try to get in as much history as possible on our family vacations. We’re a homeschool family, and I like to visit places that bring history to life for our kids.

  8. I definitely want to read your new book. Miss Mary Bobo’s sounds like a great place to eat. It’s hard to find places like that any more. I remember taking my girlfriend, who is now my wife of many years, to a buffet-style restaurant before we got married. It didn’t have the history of Miss Mary Bobo’s nor is it still in business, but we got to enjoy it once.

    1. Aren’t those kind of restaurants cool, Edward? Love that you guys got to experience that. You’re right, those places aren’t plentiful these days. Appreciate you sharing.

  10. I’m really excited about the upcoming release of your book! I’ve been to Lynchburg, TN only once for a day trip, but didn’t know about Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House! A shame indeed since this post has my mouth watering from all the good looking food! My family used to go to a family-style restaurant near us in Dahlonega, GA, called The Smith House. I already follow you on BookBub. 🙂

  11. I can’t wait to read your new book! We’ve been to Nashville many times, but haven’t visited Lynchburg yet. I’d love to have a meal at Mary Bobo’s!

  12. I have been to Lynchburg, TN before for a day trip. I didn’t know about Miss Mary’s though! It sounds like a great place to eat (and that pie recipe sounds amazing)! We took a tour of the town in a horse and buggy so I’m sure it was pointed out, but I don’t remember. 🙂 I did look through my pictures and found a photo of the house so I obviously saw it! 😂

  13. I have found several wonderful places around Nashville to visit with my kids by reading your books. Sounds like we’ll be adding another! Can’t wait for the new book.

  16. I’ve never been to Lynchburg; thanks for the reminder to put it on my must visit list.

  17. This sounds so interesting. It’s great to visit historical places. My son worked in Nashville for a while, but I never heard about Miss Bobo’s place. Goodness the pie looks so delicious.

  18. I have never been but it sounds like a wonderful place to visit. Thank you for sharing. Blessings

  19. Miss Mary’s is going to wonder why their Facebook following spiked today. 😂 I have never been there, but now it’s on my bucket list. 😁

  20. Looking forward to reading your new book. I love historical fiction. The menu at Miss Mary’s looks so inviting. Serving family style using a large lazy Susan is a great idea.

  21. I loved reading about Mary Bobo’s Boarding House, and I would love to have eaten there too. I’m looking forward to reading In These Hills as well.

  22. I have never visited the area. It sounds like it would be fun and interesting. The menu sounds really good. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

  24. Miss Mary’s place looks amazing! And the meals! I wish I were closer so I could visit! Mmmm. Thanks for sharing (and the recipe!!!)!

  25. Delightful! I’m in! I’ve never been there, but I love the family-style dining and passing dishes around to other guests.

  27. Not sure if this is where I leave my address…
    Sherry Pike
    5209 Sagebrush Ave
    Cheyenne WY 82009

  30. I have never been to Tennessee but it is on my bucket list with so many wonderful places to visit. Miss Mary’s boardinghouse would be a great addition to that list.

  31. I have visited Lynchburg and toured the distillery, but yet to “pull out a chair” at Miss Mary Bobo’s. Hope to do that soon. Looking forward to your newest book! I so enjoy your writings and the taste of history you add to them. Thanks for sharing this gift with us.

  32. One of the reasons I love your books so much is the unique, local history I learn from reading them! I’m putting this on my list of places to visit! Thank you for the opportunity to experience a fun giveaway!

  35. This looks like an interesting shop. I may try the pie recipe. It really sounds good. I follow you on Bookbub.

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