The Story Behind the Story Inn – Story, Indiana

A couple of weeks ago (Feb. 25, 2017) we took a trip to Indianapolis for a meeting for my wife and daughter.

As is typically the case, I wanted to go along and drive some back roads.

 

Welcome to Story, IN

I am always on the lookout for unique and interesting places to visit and we did find one on this particular trip. We visited a little community in Indiana called Story.

Map of Story, IN

Story probably only has about 100 people or less in the village.  It was founded in 1851 by Dr. George Story who received a land grant from then President Millard Fillmore. By the 1880s the town had become one of the largest settlements in the area.  At one time it had two general stores, a church, a schoolhouse, a sawmill, a grain mill and even a post office.  However, the Great Depression took its toll on this town as families abandoned this hilly farm area in search of employment.

Old Story Inn Sign

The village looks much like it did in the 1930s with a few rustic buildings.

Story Inn, Story, Indiana

In the center of it all is a unique little country inn called the “Story Inn.” This rustic building includes a little general store, a nice cozy eatery, and some historically rustic overnight accommodations all in a natural setting. They even offer a bed and breakfast.

The rustic Story Inn in Story, IN. “One Inconvenient Location Since 1851.”
The Entry Way to the Story Inn
Story Inn front porch
The Story Inn’s unique 1851 Burger with bacon jam

They don’t have an extensive menu but they do have a few things that are interesting and so we ordered some of the food and had lunch there. My daughter Marissa had a salad with their homemade cilantro vinaigrette dressing. Julianne had a black bean burger and I had their “1851 Burger” that included “bacon jam.” I also had them bring a side of the bacon jam because I wanted to just try that by itself and see how it tasted. It’s essentially a jam type of condiment that has been rendered with bacon and some sugar cane and some other things. It was sweet and bacony.

Story Inn Menu
Water is served in Mason Jars and old glass milk bottles
Inside the dining area of the Story Inn

The most unique things about the Story Inn is their motto which is “One Inconvenient location since 1851“.

The Story Inn even gives you a complimentary bumper sticker.
Side view of the Story Inn
The nice old wooden floors of the Story Inn dining area

The dining area is very rustic with wooden floors, old wooden tables and a few rickety old chairs. I actually had to use a chair from their outside deck because I was afraid to sit in one of their rickety chairs due to my size.

The entry area has some nice stained glass.  The shelves are decorated with period era bottles and medicines, etc.  The entry also includes a desk where lodgers can get registered and stay the evening if they wish…either in the upstairs hotel or in one of the out building cottages.  The place also serves as a Bed and Breakfast.

The Story Inn Dining Area
An alternate view of the Story Inn dining area
One of the old rustic chairs and a big wood burning stove to keep the place warm in winter
The place even has an old pay phone…not sure if it still works!
Story General Store
Old Compounds
Old Medications – Need some of that Pleasant Worm Syrup for sure! (photo by Marissa Noe)
Story Inn Check In sign

I did not go upstairs to see the rooms but Marissa and Julianne did and they said the rooms are nice but could be spooky.  We also heard some talk about spirits hanging around in the rooms. But, the only spirits I saw were down in the dining area where they have numerous fine wines and other spirits.

Overnight Guests
Entry to Hotel…includes a nice old mural
Up the Stairs to the Hotel Rooms (photo by Marissa Noe)
One of the Story Inn Hotel Rooms (photo by Marissa Noe)
An alternate view of the same room at the Story Inn (photo by Marissa Noe)
One of the Sitting Areas in the guest room at the Story Inn (photo by Marissa Noe)
Old fashioned couch in the guest room at the Story Inn (photo by Marissa Noe)
Sumoflam at the Story Inn in Story, IN

I did walk around the premises a bit and found a few unique things there as well. They have a sculpture made out of old car parts and gasoline stand parts including the gasoline pumps. There are restrooms on the outside that have some unique characteristics as well, including the signs that are shown below.

Gasoline Pump Art Sculpture in Story, IN
Sign outside restrooms at Story Inn
One of the signs in the Men’s Room at Story Inn (sorry…couldn’t resist!!)
Another sign outside the restrooms at the Story Inn
Old Gas Pump Price – I wish
Antique Checkerboard on the Story Inn front porch. Checkers are actually old pop bottle caps (photo by Marissa Noe)
They even have town maps!! Story, IN

 

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