The historic building that houses the Dickson Street Inn was built in 1894 by John C. Mitchell and his wife, Mary West, as their primary residence. Mitchell was the principal of Washington Elementary for four years.  He served as Washington County Treasurer from 1896 to 1900. Afterwards he held the position of Superintendent of the Fayetteville Public Schools and served on the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees. The Mitchells lived in the house until 1911.  Since then, the building has served as a boarding house, several retail establishments, and as office space for a number of local companies until being completely renovated into a 10 room boutique hotel in 2009.

For more historic information about Dickson Street, pick up a copy of Once Upon Dickson at the Dickson Street Book Store.