Best Bed and Breakfast or Inn

The McGregor House Bed and Breakfast was voted Best Bed and Breakfast or Inn by our readers

Voted Number 1

McGregor House Bed and Breakfast, Brazil - Featured in the June issue of SouthernIN.com, The McGregor House Bed and Breakfast was voted as the best Bed and Breakfast. Built circa 1895 by Judge Samuel McGregor, this 3-story brick and stone Romanesque Revival home invites guests to step back in time to a more restful era. The McGregor House is located in a National Road Historic District on a quiet, tree-lined street in the small town of Brazil. Each of the two guest rooms and two elegant suites have private baths. The house is beautifully appointed with antiques, oriental rugs, and a baby grand piano. Enjoy your full gourmet breakfast in the parlor or on the spacious curved front veranda.

What makes the McGregor House even more special is the fascinating story behind the gracious inn that guests see today. When the Sneddons bought this home in 1998 it was on the brink of ruin - it had been turned into a haunted house, the woodwork had been painted black, and the walls were full of holes. With the help of family, friends, and a dedicated community, the McGregor House has now been restored to its original splendor and the Sneddons welcome travelers and guests to share this Brazil landmark.

Other Nominations

Beechwood Country Inn, French Lick - This luxurious mansion is not only one of Indiana’s most elegant bed and breakfast inns, the winner of our Grand Prize drawing will be spending a night of luxury here! When Charles Ed Ballard built his home in 1915 he was one of the wealthiest men in America. Today you can enjoy Ballard’s balcony view during an overnight stay at his restored home. Beechwood offers six unique guest rooms furnished with antiques, and with modern comforts. The Beechwood Mansion is also home to an excellent restaurant and the French Lick Winery. Located on the Boulevard in French Lick. 812-936-9012.

The Farrington Bed and Breakfast, Terre Haute - The Farrington is located in the heart of Terre Haute’s historical district and was built from 1898 to 1901. The facility brings with it a sense of nostalgia and old world comfort. The Farrington has been restored to offer as much for the business person as it does for individuals who are looking for a romantic get-a-way or just a special time of rest and relaxation. The style of the home is Colonial Revival but was adapted to the older Queen Anne form. The house is asymmetrical with jutting bays, porches, jutting gables, tall chimneys, and stained glass. The Farrington is adorned with spectacular art glass windows, ornate wood throughout the house hand crafted by Italian craftsmen, 6 fireplaces (4 in guest bedrooms), 3 chandeliers, and a number of nice antique pieces of furniture. Grace Hulman, after the death of her husband also lived in this house. Grace was the mother of Tony Hulman who gained international fame as owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. From the mid 1970's to the mid 1990's the "Cox/Hulman House" was occupied by the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. 931 South Seventh Street. 812-238-0524.

The French Lick Springs Resort, French Lick - This resort has been in continuous operation since 1834. Each of its 485 guest rooms is unique, with decor reminiscent of its timeless splendor. There is something for the whole family at this full-service resort. Guests can still enjoy mineral water baths, massages and whatever else the body needs at the spa. Golfers have two courses to choose from, one designed in 1920 by Scottish designer Donald Ross. Visitors as well as guests are welcome to stroll around the gardens and beautiful grounds. Kids can now find as much to enjoy as the adults. The recreational area within the hotel has a bowling alley and video games, and swimming under the dome of the pool is an experience no child will forget. There is also miniature golf, horseback riding, archery, volleyball, badminton and even surrey rides. Call 800-457-4042. See our May article.

One of the many homey rooms at The Old Rooming House

The Old Rooming House
, New Harmony. The Old Rooming House was featured in a previous SouthernIN.com article in our visit to New Harmony. One reader, after seeing the article said, “A bonus was the article about the tourist home in New Harmony. We stayed there a couple of years ago and loved it. He even furnishes bicycles for the cycling crowd!”

The Old Rooming House offers a break from the ordinary. There are no televisions or phones in the rooms. There is no smoking. But there are good books and magazines to read, comfortable couches, antiques, snacks, a refrigerator and a coffee machine in the room. And the price per night is around $40! The Old Rooming House was built in 1896, and has been taking in guests since 1948. Every room in the house invites guests to browse and look around, pick up a book or kick up their feet. There are probably a thousand books throughout the house on any topic imaginable. There are old board games like Jeopardy, Scrabble and checkers in every room, bikes to ride in the summer, and all sorts of 1940’s and 50’s memorabilia. Jim Stinson’s collection is mostly things he’s “picked up on the road”. For a change of pace, try spending a night or two at The Old Rooming House. You’ll enjoy your visit and it won’t blow your budget. 916 Church Street. 812-682-4724.

The Powers Inn Bed & Breakfast

Powers Inn Bed & Breakfast, Jasper - This home was purchased by the Garlands with the intention of offering a bed and breakfast to Jasper visitors. Powers Inn is located just a few blocks from Jasper’s historic Courthouse Square, and is a newly renovated Second Empire home offering three guest rooms. One room has a separate bath with the original claw-foot tub. Both other rooms have private baths. Other features are original woodwork and hardwood floors, and the home is decorated with some antiques and reproductions, but has a more up-to-date look than some inns. A full breakfast is included, which features such specialty items as homemade German apple pancakes and french toast stuffed with cream cheese and orange marmalade. 325 West 6th Street. 812-482-3018.

Story Inn Restaurant and Bed ‘N Breakfast, Nashville - Located 15 miles south of Nashville in what was originally the town of Storyville, the Story Inn is rich with history. The Inn offers quaint rooms in the original 1850s Story General Store, or rustic village cottages. They are furnished with period antiques. The Story Inn is on 22 secluded acres adjoining the Brown County State Park. Storyville was renamed Story when the town post office moved from a house in town to the general store in 1917. Five years later land was acquired to create what is now the Brown County State Park. Most of the people of Story had to relocate, but the General Store remained in operation until 1969.

Today the main floor of the General Store is virtually unaltered and houses a gourmet restaurant.  You can dine on expertly prepared meals and view the old cash registers, spool boxes, scales, product displays, sample products (Pleasant tasting worm syrup for children), signs (candettes 5 cents), antique lighting fixtures and a pot belly stove.  The second floor of the building has been tastefully altered to house bed and breakfast accommodations with four overnight rooms.  The rooms are furnished with period antiques and restored artifacts. 812-988-2273. 6404 South State Rd. 135, Nashville. 800-881-1183.


All Feature Articles, artwork and photographs ©2000 by Southernin.com. Some information on the 'County Info' pages is taken directly from brochures published by Visitors Bureaus and Chambers of Commerce.