Built by Coffee County pioneer Benajah Peterson (1860-1915) and later known as Stapleton’s Boarding House, this Queen Anne landmark now serves as Sims Funeral Home.

Benajah Peterson was the most prominent citizen of late-19th and early-20th century Douglas. He was married to Luvicia “Vicey” Kirkland (1866-1957), who outlived him by over 40 years and remarried, to William Ira Ritchey (1878-1953). The Petersons had a stillborn daughter, Belle, and one son, Oliver Peterson (1885-1920). Oliver Peterson was murdered by Henry Tanner on 14 August 1915.

His obituary in the Douglas Enterprise noted, in the language of the day: Mr. Peterson had been connected with nearly all of the enterprises of Douglas, in one way or the other, since his removal to the city from his birthplace, a few miles out, many years ago. A record of his life would be a history of Douglas, for he once owned the lot of land on which Douglas now stands. He had worked hard all his life, and with his shrewd business acumen, had managed to accumulate what is considered a fortune in this section. He could always look ahead, had confidence in the section in which he lived, believed that Douglas would make a town and grow into a city, and it was this wisdom that assisted so materially in rolling up for him a vast amount of property. He has been the means of assisting hundreds in the county in getting on their feet, helped many people in diverse ways, and up until the last, he performed many acts of charity, that nothing was ever said about. He was strictly business, and at times was possibly criticized by some of his debtors, but at all times Mr. Peterson could be approached and reasoned with, and his heart was always in the right place. He was public spirited and in every instance that we can recall, at least since we have known him, he has responded very liberally when called upon by any enterprise. When Douglas won the location of the Agricultural School, which was a very hard fight over several contesting cities in the district, it was through Mr. Peterson’s liberality that we were able to go our nearest competitor one better and win the school. He helped the city schools, assisted in building the local hospital, donated liberally to the churches, and many enterprises of Douglas are living and existing today, making money, through Mr. Peterson’s liberal donations and stock subscriptions. In politics, he was never conspicuous, but always took a deep interest in it. He kept up with city, county, and state politics, to a limited degree, but was never an office seeker for himself. The only political offices he ever held were those of councilman and as mayor of Douglas, serving out an unexpired term of Hon. Frank Sweat.

Peterson Avenue, the main thoroughfare of downtown Douglas, is named for the Peterson family.

Downtown Douglas Historic District, National Register of Historic Places