Work in underway on the remodeling and modernization of the Travelers Inn, operated as a rooming house for many years by Mrs. Susie Sigmund.  The building was recently sold to Frank Williamson, Sr., who is converting the building for office use.

Rumors that Williamson had purchased the property for a large chain grocery store were denied.  However, Williamson said he thought it probable such a store would locate here soon.  He revealed that purchase price of the property which includes four lots, was $25,000.

Mrs. Susie Sigmund, who is now living in her new, pretty pink house on Oklockne Street, can tell you a lot about the history of Okeechobee.  She's one of the town's pioneers.

According to the telephone book, the city of Okeechobee was laid out by the F. E. C. railroad "some" forty years ago, Susie's first husband, R. E. McLaughlin, came to Okeechobee forty years ago.  He built the town's first telephone system.

Susie joined Mr. McLaughlin here in 1918.  They operated the telephone office until 1924 when he sold to the Inter-County Telephone & Telegraph company.

Mr. McLaughlin then went into the real estate business.  After the banks closed he farmed on a small scale.  He died in 1937.

In 1939 Mrs. McLaughlin mortgaged the original telephone building so she could have it built onto and converted into a rooming house.  She operated it until August 1 of this year when she sold it to Frank Williamson.

Several months ago Mrs. Sigmund had the porches removed from the Travelers Inn and remodeled into an apartment near the Inn.

Seven years ago Mrs. McLaughlin bought four lots on Oklockne street.  Two years ago she had the lots fenced and grass, fruit trees and shrubs planted.  In April of this year she had the apartment made of porches moved to her lots which were now ready for a house.  To the porches she had added three rooms made of cement blocks.  She now has a three bedroom, living room, kitchen, bath, and a hall large enough for ironing, what Susie was doing when we arrived to take her picture.

Mrs. McLaughlin and Joe Sigmund were married about four years ago.  He died last year.

Mrs. Sigmund has six grown children and is 71 years young.  You can tell she's young by the looks of her lovely modern home.  I admired the green slanting kitchen ceiling that contrasted with the pink walls and the pink stove and pink refrigerator.  The bedrooms in her home are large and airy and she has a cozy comfortable living-dining room.

Susie says she has waited a long time for her new home.  This may be proof that everything comes to him (or her) who waits.  But apparently this home took lots of planning and work too.