American Historic Inns, Inc. has searched the Bed and Breakfasts of the Buckeye State and found the Most Historic Inns in Ohio, now posted on www.iloveinns.com. The list features seven historical sites that let travelers experience a piece of Midwestern history from an architectural perspective.
Civil War
Ohio residents were key players in transporting runaway slaves through the Underground Railroad. The Hallauer House Bed and Breakfast, circa 1830 (www.hallauerhousebnb.com) is located in Oberlin, where anti-slavery activists fought for human rights during the Civil War. Ring the vintage doorbell and step back in time—each guest room is decorated with Civil War artifacts, including authentic Union and Confederate swords. There is a cut-out section in the floor with a dirt alcove underneath as well as a dry cistern which are two indicators of an Underground Railroad station. Pegs instead of nails can be seen in the inn’s basement and attic. The “History Buff Package” includes Civil War storytelling by owner Joe Woodward who is a retired educator and lifelong Civil War buff, and tickets to the Oberlin Heritage Center.
The founders of the 1830 Bailey’s House (www.baileyhousebandb.com) 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
The Wright House Bed and Breakfast of 1815 (www.wrighthousebedandbreakfast.com) is the oldest home in Springboro, Ohio as well as being a documented Underground Railroad site. Feel at home in the past with the inn’s collection of antiques that includes a pump organ, victrola and player piano. Each stay includes a gourmet breakfast and high tea at 4:00 P.M.
Back to the Future
Perhaps the oldest well-preserved historic inn is the Golden Lamb, circa 1803. The inn’s restaurant is located in the original part of the building while 18 guest rooms are found throughout the property in various additions made up till the mid-17th Century. 12 presidents of the United States, including John Quincy Adams and Martin Van Buren have visited the inn as well as writers Charles Dickens, Daniel Webster and Mark Twain.
Bright Idea
A stay in an Ohio inn can uncover other historical surprises. Wagner’s 1844 Inn (www.lrbcg.com/wagnersinn) in Sandusky is not far from Thomas Edison’s Birthplace and Museum in Milan. Fireplaces light up the rooms of this bed and breakfast, where guests wake up to fresh-baked goods and fruit. The waterfront town is perfect for sailing or fishing and is a short boat ride away from the Lake Erie Islands.
Time Travel
Rider’s 1812 Inn (www.ridersinn.com) was built along the stagecoach route from Buffalo, New York to Cleveland, Ohio, and hosted everyone from runaway slaves to returning Civil War veterans, but was also home to a speakeasy that was added in 1922. Guests can still enjoy authentic meals prepared from nineteenth-century recipes in Mistress Suzanne’s Dining Room.
Ohio Innkeepers are always ready to lend their knowledge on where to find museums, take a carriage ride, or find treasures in one of the Buckeye State’s many antique malls. (They might also warn visitors not to actually eat a Buckeye. It looks like a chestnut, but it’s poisonous to anyone but a squirrel. Try the state’s popular peanut butter and chocolate replica instead.)
Still undecided? Log onto www.iloveinns.com and browse through the 19,000 B&Bs and country inns that specialize in other events and locations that may interest you. Many of the properties listed above are also in the best-selling bed and breakfast guidebook Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns with a Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free Certificate. ILoveInns also offers Bed and Breakfast Gift Certificates, a perfect solution to help celebrate any occasion.
About American Historic Inns and iLoveInns.com
American Historic Inns, Inc. (www.iloveinns.com), founded in 1981, is the leading publisher of bed & breakfast guidebooks, with more than 2.5 million bed & breakfast guidebooks sold, and runs iLoveInns.com, a top bed & breakfast and country inns directory.
Note: For photos or interviews, please contact Deborah Sakach at 949-497-2232, ext. 308.
