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HISTORICAL NOTES: Old Rittenhouse Inn

This rambling Queen Anne style home with it's wrap around veranda, dormer windows and massive gables was completed in 1890 as a summer home for Allen C. Fuller and his wife Mary. Fuller, an Adjutant General for the State of Illinois during the Civil War, spent his summers in Bayfield to escape bouts with hay fever.

Mary and Jerry Phillips purchased the home in 1974 and named it the Old Rittenhouse Inn. The name recognizes Charles Rittenhouse of Philadelphia who was one of the original investors in Bayfield. Rittenhouse Avenue, Bayfield's main street, also bears his name.

The exterior of the house is a combination of native Lake Superior brownstone, creamy brick, and cedar shake. Originally painted a dark green, the house was at one time shaded by huge pine trees.

The three main rooms on the first floor originally served as the formal parlor, the family or music room and the dining room. These rooms are now enjoyed by houseguests, and open to the public, each morning for breakfast, lunch, and formal dining each evening. Two of these rooms contain the original gas light fixtures now converted to electricity.

A grand foyer graces the entrance to the Inn, drawing guests either up the beautifully designed cherry staircase or leading them to the dining rooms, first floor guest rooms, and the Inn's kitchen.

Upon opening their home as a bed and breakfast in 1975, Mary and Jerry transformed the original two-room master suite, the guest room, nursery and governess' quarters into four guest rooms all sharing a central bath. The idea of a Bed and Breakfast, although tremendously popular in Europe, was just gaining acceptance in the Midwest. Thus, the Old Rittenhouse Inn was one of Wisconsin's first Bed and Breakfasts.

The Inn expanded in May of 1985 enlarging the kitchen, basement and providing five additional guest rooms. Today, there are two guest rooms on the first floor, and seven guest rooms on the second floor. The third floor, which was once the Ballroom, is now a luxurious suite with whirlpool, fireplace, sitting library and magnificent views of the Bay. And in early July of 2002 the Inn expanded once again with the addition of yet one more luxurious third floor suite, room XI, featuring a woodburning fireplace, luxury whirlpool, lake view, wet-bar, balcony and custom steam shower.

All of the home's eleven guest rooms have private baths. Ten of these feature wood-burning fireplaces. Seven are furnished with luxury whirlpools.

Future plans include gardens to the north of the home and combining two of the second floor guest rooms, returning them to their original design as the former two room master suite, and the addition of a spacious 2-story carriage house guest quarters located on the grounds of Le Chateau!

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