Historic hospitality - Entrepreneurs save old house

When Eldon Nattier first saw the old house at 611 S. Sprigg St., he threw up his hands -- not in disgust, but in glee.

"This was just what we were looking for," said Nattier, a hobbyist carpenter who has rehabilitated 68 houses.

The three-story William Schrader home constructed in the 1910-12 era was almost in shambles. In fact, the house had been condemned by the city and was on its list to be demolished.

Fortunately for the house and the neighborhood, Nattier and James Coley were looking for an historic old house to develop into a bed and breakfast. Today they operate Rose Bed Inn Bed and Breakfast.

The men's efforts make them members of a growing $3.5 billion, B&B industry.

A recent survey indicated that almost 31 percent of all lodging properties in the United States fall into the bed and breakfast, country inns, or small hotel category.

That translates into more than 25,000 small-inn operations in the United States, offering more than 100,000 guest rooms for tourists.

Other findings reveal that more than 75 percent of the nation's bed and breakfast operations are located in historic homes, over 80 percent of bed and breakfast inns have a porch or patio and over 46 percent have fireplaces.

The Rose Bed Inn fits into all three categories.

The house was constructed as a private residence for the family of William and Ella Schrader.

Schrader, a German immigrant, was a brick contractor, and the residence at 611 S. Spring was built as a show place for his talents.

One of the unusual features of the home is the flat-topped center of the roof, referred to as the widow's walk, providing a view of the Mississippi River.

The widow's walk is located atop an attic which will eventually serve as an apartment for the new owners.

The Rose Bed Inn is one of five bed and breakfasts in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, Mo.

All of these lodges are located in historic old structures. They are:

Bellevue Bed & Breakfast, 312 Bellevue, an 1891 restored Victorian Home, containing the original stained glass and woodwork, working pocket doors and warm comfortable guest rooms all with private baths.

Trisha's Bed & Breakfast, Tea Room & Gifts located in a 1905 Victorian mansion at 302 Bellevue in Jackson.

Neumeyer's Bed & Breakfast, 25 S. Lorimier, is located in a Craftsman's style bungalow that was built in 1910. Neumeyer provides three guest bedrooms.

Annie Laurie's Cottage, two rooms, one bedroom, near intersection of Broadway and Frederick.

Hospitality is the largest single industry worldwide. And, in the United States, more than 51,000 lodging properties are listed, with 65 percent of them in the small business category.

When Nattier and Coley first saw the former Schrader family home, they knew it was exactly what they'd been searching for.

The two men purchased the old house in 1995 and cleaned it up to get it off the condemned list. Rehab efforts started in earnest last year.

"We could see some big things happening with the property," said Nattier. "A door moved here and there, a new kitchen, a lot of indoor decorating, and we could be in business. We saved the house from demolition," said Nattier.

The Rose Bed Inn includes three guest bedrooms, each with private baths. All the rooms are on the second level and have 9-foot ceilings, said Coley, an artist and gardener who provided the interior decoration for the home.

The house has an interesting historic background. William Schrader was a German immigrant and brick contractor.

The brick he used in the house is a rare composite, referred to as "Iron Spot."

The house was sold numerous times, eventually falling into disrepair.

"From time to time, we talked with relatives of William and Ella Schrader," said Coley.

"Our plans for the house were to turn the once-stately home into an upscale bed and breakfast, with dinner by reservation. We also have plans for a banquet facility and gift shop."

The bedrooms, parlor and dining rooms are filled with a number of hand-selected antiques.

Coley and Nattier operate the facility between full-time jobs.

Coley, a chef for Chartwells at Southeast Missouri State University, is proud of his antique bed which serves as a bed for roses and other flowers on the lawn at the inn, located at the intersection of Sprigg and the Highway 74 approach to the new Emerson Bridge.

While Coley, a graduate of a university in Virginia, has offered the decorator's touch to the huge, 90-year old brick house. Nattier has provided the carpentry expertise to turn the former private home into an upscale bed and breakfast.

Nattier also is general manager for the "Main Street Furniture" store which opened recently in downtown Cape Girardeau.

rowen@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133