Unique Lodging Options in Springfield...and Castles!

June 21, 2011

I was really impressed with our visit to Springfield, Missouri this past weekend. You would be surprised at how much the town has to offer in ways of unique attractions and lodging. One of our first stops was at Pythian Castle. Yep, you heard me right. It's a real, honest-to-goodness castle right in the middle of Springfield. It was originally built by the Knights of Pythias in 1913, and served as a retirement home for it's members and their families, as well as an orphanage. In 1942 the U.S. Military bought the castle and used it for offices and also as a place for injured WWII veterans to rest and recuperate. Many famous celebrities including Bob Hope and Groucho Marx entertained the troops in the Castle's theater.
These days, the castle is privately owned and is undergoing several renovation projects. Visitors can enjoy a variety of entertainment such as history tours, comedy nights, murder mystery nights, ghost tours and special dancing events. Special custom tours or workshops can also be arranged such as student history and activity tours, and the castle is also available for wedding rentals. Just imagine having your wedding photos in front of a romantic-looking castle! If you're ever in Springfield, I definitely recommend you check this place out.
Another gem we found while on our trip was the Walnut Street Inn. Voted the Best Bed and Breakfast in the Ozarks for four years in a row, the Walnut Street Inn definitely exceeded my expectations. After all, almost any town can offer you an ordinary hotel room, but Springfield is lucky to have this charming Victorian Inn as a lodging alternative. The home was built in the late 1890's by Charles McCann, founder of the Springfield Grocery Company and president of the Springfield Club, which later became the Chamber of Commerce. It was later also owned by Harry S. Jewell, the owner of the Springfield Leader Newspaper, and president of the Springfield Paper and Supply Company. In 1987 the home was purchased by Gary and Nancy Brown and converted into the first bed and breakfast facility in Springfield, and was featured in 1988 as Springfield Symphony's Designer Showcase Home. Gary Blankenship and his family purchased the home in 1996 and operate it to this day, fulfilling a life long dream of Gary's to own and operate a bed and breakfast, after years of traveling.
The Walnut Street Inn is rich in history and gives you a feeling of nostalgia as you step onto the property. The lawn is shaded by towering sycamore and walnut trees with a croquet set waiting for guests to try their hand at the old-fashioned game.
The house itself is well preserved and still retains the original oak flooring as well as the original leaded glass windows, two original fireplaces and beautifully painted Corinthian columns. The original carriage house was built in 1894 and was a dirt floor stable until 1991. It has now been converted into four elegant, secluded suites as well, and guests have plenty of options to choose from. Whether you're looking for an old-fashioned room with Bay windows and an antique claw foot tub, or a luxurious suite with a private balcony entrance, a four poster iron canopy bed and a two person jacuzzi tub, the Walnut Street Inn offers something for everyone and you can definitely make the most of your bed and breakfast experience.

Camille Nesler has written for several publications including The Saline Courier (where her column runs every Friday on the Opinion Page), the Batesville Guard, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Maumelle Living magazine and Livestrong. She also works full-time as a school nurse, which allows her summers off with her family and gives her the freedom to write, which is her favorite pastime. She's married with three children, a lazy fish and a psycho guinea pig.