Elk members from all over the country retire in this pleasant home. In 1902 the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) purchased the Bedford Hotel, a remnant of Bedford's boom days in the early 1890s. Using its foundations and some of its walls, the BPOE commissioned a Chicago firm to build the home. The main administration building, which follows the outline of the hotel, is emphasized by a monumental five-bay Doric portico at its center. The second story of the building's right wing is recessed, which allows for a walkway over the first story. By contrast the left wing has a semicircular projection at the front marking the location of the former hotel's circular tower. Pedimented, gable-end dormitories are linked to the central block by arcaded walkways. The New York City firm of Clinton and Russell designed the dormitory now known as Cottage H and in 1930 Clark and Crowe of Lynchburg produced the dormitory called Cottage I. A major renovation of the home begun in the 1980s made some changes to the buildings, including enclosure of the arcades. In 1999 the first female Elk members became residents.