By Dan Domsic
Fishers residents and visitors can kick back and relax in a historical new venue on Allisonville Road.
The Prairie Guest House, a bed and breakfast establishment with a special focus on yoga and wellness, is now open to guests. Free tours are offered throughout the week.
John and Karen Newton, the proprietors, are excited to be part of the community. The bed and breakfast opened in February.
“We came across this property, and it’s beautiful,” John said. “We hope to make this a great lodging opportunity for people in the community and visitors from other points.”
While the bed and breakfast is new to the community, parts of Prairie Guest House is steeped in history.
Situated across the street from Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, the property at 13805 Allisonville Rd. features several historic structures, each with a story John and Karen are trying to track down.
About half of the rooms at the Guest House occupy a Gothic farmhouse built in the 1870s.
An old barn sits on the west end of the property, and at one point, featured a mural of a horse named Tri-go.
John said the age of the barn is still undetermined, but as the story goes, Tri-go was painted on the side of the barn after the then-farmer won the Irish Sweepstakes, a lottery commissioned by the Irish government supposedly benefitting Irish hospitals. The winning horse was commemorated until time wore it away.
History looms in the office building as well. The clapboard cottage was built around 1906 and was originally located somewhere on Conner Prairie, according to John and Karen.
The bed and breakfast’s previous owners bought the house after it moved down the street and had it moved to its current home. It was going to be demolished.
Turning toward the future, the Prairie Yoga Studio opens in May, with Karen, a certified yoga instructor, teaching the classes. The Prairie Guest House owners also are working with local events and venues on promotional packages.
“A lot of people think about a bed and breakfast as a place for baby boomers and retirees or couples on a get-away weekend,” John said. “But we want to also open up our doors to families with kids and help them enjoy the park across the street.”
For more information on the Prairie Guest House and booking, visit www.prairieguesthouse.com.
Infobox: Upcoming event at Prairie Guest House
Local art show and open house
April 13th from 7 to 9 p.m.
Light hors d’oeuvres and beverages
Free