Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild

Belle Pepper's Bed & Breakfast

Belle Pepper's is a gracious Bed and Breakfast in the historic McCully Mansion. Surrounded by an acre of lawns and gardens and bordered by the Wallowa River, the setting is as lovely as the home. We are located just one block from Joseph's charming main street, placing you within easy walking distance of galleries, restaurants, and other local businesses.

Just a short distance away, you can explore the year-round splendor of the trails and breathtaking wilderness, either on your own or with the expert care and leadership of our local wilderness guides. Hiking, backpacking, winter sports, hunting and fishing, all are available in the area.

Our three rooms all offer comfort and lovely views of the surrounding mountains, while the grounds offer areas to play or just sit and enjoy yourself.

Our lovely home was built for Frank and Martha McCully in 1915. Frank McCully is known as the father of Wallowa County. Born in Salem in 1859, he came to live in the area as a young man of 21. Within just a few years, he established a general store and started a local weekly newspaper, The Chieftain. He was elected to the state legislature and introduced the bill that separated Wallowa County from Union County. Frank McCully remained an active leader in the community until his death in 1939. He and his wife Martha are buried near Old Chief Joseph in the Nez-Perce Cemetery at Wallowa Lake.

Mill owner George Dawson and his wife Minnie purchased the house from the McCully estate in 1938. After George's death in 1954, Minnie remained in their home until her passing in 1978. George and Minnie's son Malcolm kept the house in the family, and for the next 21 years he and his wife Jean carefully worked to bring the "McCully Mansion" back to its original grandeur. Malcolm also carried on the tradition of civic leadership by serving as a City Councilor and Mayor of Joseph. Today he and his wife Jean remain highly respected residents of Joseph.

Yours hosts, Pepper and John McColgan, moved to Joseph from Talent in southern Oregon in 2005. With their four children grown and embarked on their own lives, Pepper and John decided to do something different. They sold their home of 26 years, packed up - lock, stock and dog - and moved to Joseph. Pepper has been active in an emergency services career as a paramedic, firefighter and emergency services educator. In addition to helping at the Bed & Breakfast, Pepper now also works for a non-profit organization called Northeast Oregon Network, which seeks to provide better health care access to people in Wallowa, Union, and Baker counties. John is a builder, specializing in restoring older homes, as well as being a writer and teacher. Both are excited about sharing their beautiful home with guests.

Our rooms are named for the three families that have owned and cared for this home throughout its 95 year history.

The McCully room is our largest and has the potential to sleep 3 with a king size bed and a sleeper sofa. You can spend a romantic evening in front of the gas fireplace, or you can cuddle up with a good book.  The McCully bath is furnished with the original tub, which is refinished, plus traditional toilet and pedestal sink.

The Dawson room is our midsize room and has a comfortable queen size bed and a charm all its own.  The bath features a step-in shower and antique style pedestal sink and toilet.

The McColgan room has a queen size bed in addition to a lovely view of the Wallowa mountains. The private bath is across the hall, and features the refurbished claw-foot tub with shower and antique style toilet and pedestal sink.

All of our rooms have private bathrooms for your comfort and convenience.

Room rentals include a hearty breakfast with a hot dish; bacon, sausage, or ham; fresh baked goods, fruit, juice, and coffee or tea. The eggs we serve are from our own beautiful, healthy chickens. Guests enjoy breakfast together in our lovely dining room at 8:30. Coffee and tea are available by 6:30.

In addition we offer:
- an entertainment cart with a TV, VCR and DVD player.
- a guest refrigerator stocked with complimentary beverages.
- wireless internet, so go ahead and bring your laptop.
- games, puzzles, and books, with a variety of magazines thrown in.

All rates are double occupancy. Please add $20.00 per night for an additional person in the summer season, $15.00 in the winter season. Lodging taxes of 9% will be added to the room rate.

Summer season has a 2 night minimum stay on weekends and during Events.
Guestroom     Summer Rate     Winter Rate
McCully Room     $150.00     $130.00
Dawson Room     $120.00     $100.00
McColgan Room     $95.00     $85.00

Room Reservations will be held with a deposit equal to one night's stay. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted.

Children are welcome; please notify us at the time of booking.
Sorry, No Pets. Our dog is not allowed in the living or guest areas.
Smoking is permitted outside.

Check-in is from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

John & Pepper