Our hotel was built in 1862, when the 4-block town of Homestead needed accommodations for travelers arriving at the nearby stagecoach stop and train depot. At 20 years old, Homestead was then, the youngest of the 7 villages that made up The Amana's.  

In 1862 the hotel opened with 15 guest rooms and one bathroom, all upstairs. The kitchen, dining room and private residence were downstairs.  The hotel was probably pretty skilled at serving large groups of guests since at one time the Amana's had over 50 communal kitchens.  The German immigrants, who made up the Amana Colonies lived a communal life, sharing everything from labor to food.  There were no pay checks, children went to school 6 days a week and worship services were attended 11 times a week.  Sounds like a fun place for a birthday celebration to me!

amazingly peaceful it still is, despite some weekend tourists.  This was the view right outside the door.

We arrived at 6 on Sunday evening and headed into the little welcome area.  Owners, Bonnie and Brian greeted us from behind the desk.  Brian wore overalls and sighed like he'd just come in from a hard day's work on the farm.  Bonnie laughed that it had indeed been quite a day.  But they weren't exhausted by farm work.  The Amana's had been celebrating Octoberfest all weekend.  They were happily exhausted from all the tourism.

Bonnie and Bill are not the Zubers.  The hotel is named for Bill Zuber who grew up in The Amana's and had a 19-year career in pro baseball.  He and his wife bought the hotel in 1949 and operated as a restaurant until 2006.  His old uniforms were on display behind glass and a tile floor near the kitchen showed an image of Zuber pitching.

This room was added by the Zubers in 1961.  It reminded me of my own family room in Grinnell, Iowa back in the '60's.  Something about the paneling and lots of Americana... and games and TV!  It was pretty cozy and welcoming, especially since brownie treats and coffee were up for grabs.

The whole interior felt more 1962 than 1862.  There have been other more recent updates, but I kind of liked the odd '60's feel.  It was easier to picture Dick, Jane and Sally roaming these halls than a little German girl with long braids and an apron.

Our corner room was on the second floor.  It had a train theme going on, that would have thrilled the Birthday Boy about 50+ years ago. (I should have gotten him some railroad pjs for his birthday!)  But l love trains and I love a theme, so I took it all in, from train books, to a framed map of rail lines, to lanterns, to a beautiful model train crafted by a local.  

It was very quiet after we got back from a German feast at Ronnenburg's that night.  I think the hotel was actually full, but there seemed to be quite a few old-timers staying over, who turned in early.  No TV noise or traffic sounds to keep us awake. Just a few soothing train whistles that fit the theme!

A breakfast buffet was served in the Wagon Wheel Room.  Unlike this photo (taken the evening before) almost every table was taken.  The old timers who went to bed early were up early, too. In fact I looked around and wondered where these folks came from.   In the past, Don and I have met incredibly interesting and incredibly dull people at B&Bs.  This was one of those times I was sort of relieved not to be sharing a big table with fellow guests, all talking about what fall crafts were purchased at the Octoberfest.

Don is talking to the Diane, who cooked the wonderful buffet.  Diane was more delightful than dull and her food was excellent!  She's looking a little serious here, because we just handed her our Ford Motor Cookbook from 1952.  It had an illustration of "Bill Zuber's Restaurant" and a recipe for Obst Kuchen.   

I was glad I kept the cookbook handy since Bonnie and Brian stopped in to greet folks.  They were both pretty thrilled to see this retro book and asked to make photo copies.  Who knows, they may be serving up that odd, rhubarb filled fruit cake before long!

As for the Colonies?  I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea of our hotel being part of a German speaking community, 152 years ago.  I'm already itching to go back and absorb all the history we didn't have time for!

On the 15th day of our road trip, Don and I made it to my old hometown!

We walked by the elegant fireplace and headed up the stairs, passing a colorful stained glass window that refused to let in the gloomy day!

I made use of the beautifully carved banister as I dragged my weary self upward.  (After 15 days of 1-night stays, I was beginning to feel my age) The sight of our door with warm, dark wood and rounded frame was inviting.  

I adored the pink chaise lounge chair and the Victorian lamp that had to be turned off for this photo... because the "beaded light" made me look like I had chicken pox.  The bathroom was attached, which was a treat.  You have to love a marble sink and wooden toilet with a funny push button flusher!  

We rose early and tiptoed over the creaky floors past the Murphy bed, trying not to wake our neighbors on our way down to breakfast.

We arrived on Friday afternoon.  The cold winds blew us right from the car to the Potter's Mill sign, swinging on an old piece of machinary.  At a glance, the red and white wooden structure looked like a large house.  If it hadn't been so dang freezing out, I would have stood there and studied the odd doors and windows.  This was clearly no house.  There were doors where houses have no doors.

There was heat in the room, but the very sound of the wind made us excited about making a little coffee with the Kuerig.

I love a view and we had a great one, looking down on Potter's Mill Creek.  It faced the east, which might have offered a good sunrise, except the bluffs across the creek were pretty high and close... and there was no sun in the morning, anyway. Our north window had a view of the railroad bridge.  We enjoyed the rumbling trains (with no whistle) at night.

We also shared some shredded pork served on fries. Both perfect for a cold night!

We spoke with Ron and Linda (pictured) and a couple others who gave us great tips for places to see in the next few days. And we chatted with Inn owners, Mark and Rachel who shared about their adventures of opening this place a month earlier.

I'm actually fine with that, but my clothes were beginning to get tight from eating on the road, so I wasn't up for a big sit-down breakfast.

We did manage to take in a few sights near the Inn before leaving town.  It was well worth a stop at Bellevue State Park, just across the creek from the Inn.  We found a great view of the town and the Mississippi, but a rather disturbing view of a few boys racing to get off the railroad bridge as a train approached, blasting its horn!