Built in 1888 as a private mansion, Holton House has held many occupations over the decades, including long years as a funeral home and a stint as an apartment complex. Today, it stands as a charming bed and breakfast with an intimate four rooms, welcoming guests for romantic weekends or brief getaways with plenty of privacy and seclusion. Suites house canopy beds and accents such as decorative fireplaces and pedestal sinks. Recent renovations have restored the property’s sweeping Victorian style, which is readily apparent in the ornate dining room’s crystal chandeliers, floral wallpaper, and telegraph ordering system.

Uniquely for a B&B, Holton House not only serves guests a complimentary breakfast but also hosts family-style chicken dinners on weekend evenings. Fried-chicken entrees provide the pivot point for spreads of Southern comfort-food favorites, including mashed potatoes with homemade gravy, sweet-and-sour slaw, and fresh rolls with honey butter.

The inn lies in the heart of Jackson County, about a half hour north of Topeka. Nearby points of interest include the Banner Creek Reservoir, casinos, and boutique shops in the Holton town square.