Offering the Indulgence of History with the Comfort of Modern Amenity
The Walnut Street Inn Bed and Breakfast has graced historic Walnut Street in downtown Springfield, Missouri for approximately 140 years. The establishment has changed hands several times during the nearly one and a half centuries it has stood. Originally, the property was owned, and the home built, by Charles McCann, who owned a wagon company and spared no expense on lumber for this historic relic that has stood the test of time. Mr. McCann raised his family in the home and sold it to the Jewell family, who had a hand in the Springfield News-Leader. The next owners were the Rosen family. Dr. Max Rosen was a practicing physician in Springfield, Missouri.
When Gary and Nancy Brown, along with their daughter, Karol, purchased the Walnut Street home, they lovingly turned it into a Bed and Breakfast, which Karol managed. The formerly grand home on Walnut Street was fully renovated and converted to a bed and breakfast in the 1980s. After operating the business for a handful of years, The Brown’s sold the property to Gary and Paula Blankenship, who raised their daughter, Cat, in the lovely historic home.
The home was then sold to the current owners, the Faucett’s, in 2021. The family felt they could not miss out on the opportunity to include a historic gem in the mix of local business ownership, so they rolled up their sleeves and embarked on a brand-new adventure, running the historic Walnut Street Inn Bed and Breakfast.
“We have worked very hard to rekindle the flame of this old home. We put elbow grease, hard work, and much love into the restoration of the Walnut Street Inn Bed and Breakfast”, says Madalyn Faucett. The family has done extensive work to the exterior; repainting the surface and rebuilding the back deck. They strive diligently to preserve the historical character of this beloved home in Springfield’s most well-known historic district.
Ms. Faucett’s favorite part of running the Walnut Street Inn is meeting the vast array of people they host. “We have guests from all over the world. Those that stay with us are the kindest and sweetest folks and seem to really love the family-type atmosphere where they can relax and open up with each other and our friendly staff”, says Faucett.
The Walnut Street Inn embraces the historic community in which it helped to build. The dining area is bright and sunny; the walls are covered with rotating artwork from local artists. They offer the art for sale and accept no commission; they simply enjoy housing a prime location for guests to view local art and possibly add to their own personal collection.
In addition to showcasing local art, the Walnut Street Inn opens its doors for summer and fall festivals, such as Cider Days. They host an open house with refreshments on site and allow passers-by to enjoy the quaint back porch and backyard area. They have been known to serve Bambino’s on the lawn and invited Brick River Brewing Company to serve cider during the last Cider Days on historic Walnut Street.
“It is not easy for a business to be established as long as the Walnut Street Inn”, says the Bed and Breakfast manager, Madalyn Faucett. She went on to share, “The history of this old home speaks for itself as a contribution to historic Walnut Street. Our family desires to preserve, and carry on the legacy, of this gorgeous old home that we wish to share with the community we love so much.”
Ms. Faucett never thought she would be one of those folks that was into history preservation. However, upon her family’s expansion into the lodging business, she can see how preserving history truly matters. “The old adage is true, they don’t build homes like they used to”, says Madeline, in speaking directly to the home’s renovations over the years. “The renovations have given us a glimpse into the quality of the structure and building materials you simply cannot find in modern society.”
Ms. Faucett discussed the breakfast options for guests at the Walnut Street Inn. She indicated that the kitchen alternates between a sweet and savory blend. John Clayton, the Inn’s resident chef, creates the menu. He prepares pancakes, a favored breakfast food in the Ozarks. However, he prefers to add a little zest to an otherwise typical pancake, including upscale lemon pancakes with a maple crème anglaise. He has also prepared sophisticated breakfast dishes, such as tomato toast with goat cheese and balsamic drizzle, and delectable mouth-watering frittatas.
The Bed and Breakfast is very amenable to accommodating guests’ food allergies. They source as many local ingredients as possible, including farm fresh eggs and Terrell Creek Farm goat cheese. They do try to frequent local farmer’s markets and organic stores to enhance the best quality of food for their guests. Chef John Clayton, a Cordon Bleu Trained Chef, is an employee that carried over from the previous ownership. Madalyn Faucett raved about his delicious meal concoctions which are a true work of art. “We were so thankful John decided to stay at The Walnut Street Inn. Not only is he great to work with, but his creations are a huge part of what makes this downtown accommodation so desirable to our guests”, says Faucett, Walnut Street Inn B&B manager.
The Inn is spread out between three properties and boasts twelve themed rooms, which are relevant to Missouri historic landmarks and well-known faces of the Ozarks. They also have an extended stay area, known as the Cottage Apartment. The Carriage House is located two doors down the street.
Madalyn’s grandmother, Mary Faucett, owner of the Walnut Street Inn Bed and Breakfast, is an “80-year-young woman that refuses to quit”, according to her granddaughter. She is responsible for much of the décor renovations and the recently remodeled kitchen. She physically assisted in the painting of indoor areas, as well as overseeing her well-laid-out plans for both outdoor and indoor renovations as they came to fruition. Madalyn’s Uncle Jeremy is a “force of nature, a contractor in his own right”, according to Ms. Faucett.
There is so much about the Walnut Street Inn Bed and Breakfast that sets it apart from other local lodging accommodations. The staff and management strive to offer a friendly welcome and kind regard to all who walk in the front door. They provide longer stays, with the extended stay apartment, perfect for visiting scholars, contractors, or guests with family members in nearby medical facilities. “While the downtown area is developing by leaps and bounds and more lodging accommodations continue to be built, we have not seen our sales diminish at The Walnut Street Inn”, says Faucett.
From the historic location to cozy amenities with a personal family touch, the Walnut Street Inn offers so much more in terms of a romantic get-away, weekend visit, and peaceful luxury stay away from home. “If you want your family traveling out of town to feel a sense of hominess and not just another generic hotel, we would love to have you Be Our Guest at the Walnut Street Inn”, says Madalyn Faucett, manager of the historic downtown Bed and Breakfast.
