The Mason House Inn is a fine Bed & Breakfast in the heart of the Midwest, first built to serve steamboat travelers 159 years ago. Today, the tradition continues with your hosts, the Hansons.
The Mason House Inn was built in
1846, originally called the
Ashland House, and was owned by William Robinson. It was built as a hotel
to serve the steamboat travelers going from St. Louis to Fort Des Moines and
Fort Dodge on the Des Moines River. It was built by Mormon craftsmen from
Nauvoo, Illinois, who
stayed in Bentonsport for several years, working and gathering supplies before
making their trek westward to Salt Lake City, Utah. (Several of the brick
buildings still in use here in Bentonsport were built by these craftsmen.)
In 1857, the Ashland House was purchased by Lewis Mason and his wife, Nancy.
They changed the name to the Phoenix Hotel, but the townspeople called the place
the "Mason House", and the name stayed. It was Nancy who started the
tradition of "a cookie jar in every room".
Lewis James Mason Nancy Winslow Mason
Over the years, the Mason House has withstood 5 major floods: 1851, 1903, 1905, 1947 and, most recently, 1993. Through it all, this magnificent building remains a stalwart landmark. During the Civil War, the Mason House was used as a "holding hospital" for the wounded soldiers who were waiting for the train or boats to take them to the hospital in Keokuk. It was also a station on the Underground Railroad.
The Mason House stayed in the Mason Family for 99 years, then was sold to Herbert and Burretta Redhead in 1956. The Redhead family ran the Inn as a Museum and Bed & Breakfast for 33 years. They bought the old Bonaparte train station and brought it over to the lot next to the Inn and ran it as a General Store. In 1989, Bill and Sheral McDermet bought the Inn and did extensive refurbishing. This included remodeling the train station and connecting it to the Mason House, providing for ground level accommodations with separate entrances and private baths. They refurbished the second floor rooms, making two room suites and private baths in all the rooms. Chuck and Joy Hanson bought the Inn in 2001 and continue the great traditions of the past. The Caboose Cottage was brought to the Inn in 2006. It is a real antique railroad caboose that has been transformed into a self-contained cottage for your enjoyment. It features a queen bed, dining nook (that transforms into a bed for 1 small adult or 2 children), a kitchenette, a full bath, satellite TV, and internet access. You can sit out on the front deck and enjoy the wonderful sight of the river and possibly even watch the eagles.
The Mason family brought many antique furnishings from New York in 1857, and today more than half of the original appointments remain. The Wild Rose Room houses a massive 9 foot walnut headboard. The Mason Suite contains a 9 foot mirror, as well as the bedroom set of Mr. and Mrs. Mason. You will not find any closets because they were taxed as regular rooms in the 1840s, so there are coat hooks on the walls. The Mason House has an eight foot school bench from the Vernon School. You can play tunes on the 1882 Estey pump organ or the 1905 Kimball piano in the formal parlor. The first floor has central heating and air conditioning and each guest room has individual electric heat, an air conditioning unit and private bathroom with shower. A full country breakfast is served family style in our 40 foot Dining Room. There is a fireplace here and a TV for the guests to use. In the evening, guests gather here to play games and make new friends.
There are many antique and craft shops near the Inn. The village of Bentonsport has a variety of both. Iron and Lace features hand-thrown Queen Anne's Lace pottery and hand-forged artistic ironwork made by Betty and Bill Printy who live here in Bentonsport. The Greef General Store offers antiques and hand-made gifts. The stained glass shop offers wood work, Watkins seasonings, Addie May fudge and locally made wine. Gems-4-Me has polished rocks and gems and Bentonsport souvenirs. Tony Sanders' Native American Artifact Museum is open by chance or appointment. Shops in Bentonsport are open April to December, (the Inn is open all year long). Chuck and Joy will be glad to direct you to other activities within an hours drive. The wild night-life in Bentonsport consists mainly of owls and frogs along the lazy Des Moines River. However, the Hansons would be happy to direct you to several nice restaurants within a few miles. The Mason House is excellent for small retreats, reunions, and small seminars (26 maximum), or just a quiet get-away-from-it-all.
Come see us at the Mason House Inn, the oldest steamboat hotel on the Des Moines River!
More pictures of the Mason Family:
Edward R. Mason Minnie, Charlotte and Harry Mason Mary Mason Clark
Minerva Mason Wilkinson Anna Montague Mason Senator William E. Mason
Edgar S. Mason Schiller, Gayle, and Fannie Mason Kurtz
George H. Mason Rebecca Williamson Mason with Harry
