Apr
27
2009
Bed and Breakfast Inns
Author:Bed and Breakfasts are not just a great place for comfort and cuisine, they often provide a glimpse into the past. For those traveling to the Buckeye State, here is a sample of Ohio’s most historic inns and bed and breakfasts.
Civil War
Once a stop on the Underground Railroad, The Hallauer House Bed and Breakfast in Oberlin is filled with Civil War history. The 1830s Greek Revival home, located a short drive from Oberlin College, is decorated with artifacts from the war era. The three guestrooms include the Union Room, the Confederate Room and the Mason-Dixon room, and each is decorated in period style with touches such as Civil War uniforms. The home also has a secret cut-out section of floor covering an alcove that presumably once protected slaves escaping the South. Guests who opt for the inn’s History Buff Package can hear stories of the war and Underground Railroad from innkeeper Joe Woodward, as well as receiving a book, tickets to the Oberlin Heritage Center, and a handmade Civil War penny rug.
The founders of the 1830 Bailey’s House in Georgetown were Ulysses S. Grant’s friends and neighbors and legend has it that Grant landed his spot at West Point after hearing that his neighbor Bart Bailey had resigned. There are three antique-filled rooms to choose from and the inn is close to the covered bridges and quilt barns that make Brown County unique.
Still Standing: Springboro’s Oldest Home
Listed in the National Register and built in 1815, the Wright House Bed and Breakfast is the oldest home in Springboro and was built for the town’s founder. The home also served as part of the Underground Railroad. The historic dcor features items such as a player piano and pump organ. Guest rooms are decorated with antiques, and one guest bath includes an antique clawfoot tub.
Two Hundred Years of Hospitality
Presidents, writers and railroad barons are among the famous guests that have stayed at the Golden Lamb in Lebanon. The National Register inn has been in continuous operation for more than 200 years. The oldest part of the of the inn, built in 1803, now houses a full-service restaurant. Guest rooms and common areas are located in later additions, all of which date prior to the Civil War. The antique-filled rooms boast the names of some of the prominent guests, such as the John Quincy Adams Room, Ronald Reagan Room, Harriet Beecher Stowe Room and the Charles Dickens Room.
A Trip Back in Time
Rider’s 1812 Inn has served a number of uses, from a stagecoach stop to a hiding spot along the Underground Railroad. The inn also enjoyed some notoriety as a speakeasy during the 1920s. Guests rooms are cozy, decorated in a country style. The inn’s restaurant, Mistress Suzanne’s Dining Room, still features authentic 19th-century recipes. The inn’s pub offers live entertainment, songwriting workshops and beer-tasting events.