This Italianate style home
was built in the 1860s by Lt. Col Wm. Baker who was instrumental in forming
the first English Colony in the area. He also was the proprietor of one of
the woolen mills in Decorah.
This house has been the home of many interesting people: Stubby Baker,
Wm.'s brother, was of short stature thus explaining the low doorknobs in the
house and Blanch Duncan who was famous for her delicious chocolate cake (not
sure if there is a connection to the cake mix brand).
The five
guest rooms are named: The Baker Room after "Stubby", The Duncan Room after
Blanch and the Lindy Room after the little girl who had this room when she
lived here with her family. The Elizabeth Day and Wm. Painter Rooms are named
after the early land owners.
We are members of: Winneshiek Co. Chamber of
Commerce, Vesterheim Museum, Winneshiek Co. Convention & Visitors Bureau,
and the Iowa Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers Association.
Doug
and Shirleen Sturtz purchased the home in 1999 and spent the next
year refurbishing it to its original grandeur. Since 2000, the DUG
ROAD INN has provided it guests a welcoming getaway where strangers meet and
leave as friends.
