The Row History

The Antique building, now The Row, was built between 1940-1941. The rooms in the Row were originally financed by Barbara Blake in an effort to expand the Inn and make more rooms available for guests to stay. The construction of the Row was done by Helmuth with the help of local labor. The first two rooms to be built made up what was known as the “tower” or “castle”. The top room, Top Antique, was where the Deetjens lived until Helen, due to her girth, could no longer climb the stairs. Downstairs, where Grandpa’s Room, 13th Room and the Antique Apartment are now, was an antique store that Helen ran until two years before she died. Deetjen later added onto the Antique Apartment a room he called the Holstery, a tiny room with 2 bunk beds. The last room to be added to the Row by Helmuth was the New Room in 1951.

The Champagne building was named for a Champagne bottle lamp in one of the rooms. Built by Helmuth and friends in 1941, this was the last structure in the original complex.