The cozy mid-Missouri hamlet of Arrow Rock is enjoying a generational renaissance—one you can partake in with an overnight stay.
Words by Gloria Gale | Photos by Kris Yates (Ms. Ada’s) and Aaron Dolan (The Latch House)
ome count Arrow Rock, Missouri, merely a drive-by—but not stopping would be a mistake.
Here’s where a page out of history comes alive. It’s as if time stands still: horses and hitching posts, a boardwalk, and honest-to-goodness antebellum homes mixed with Americana.
There’s quite the novelty in a town where the new mingles charmingly with a deep admiration for the old. Arrow Rock, with a vintage 19th-century pedigree, gives the little village atop a bluff overlooking the Missouri River plenty of boasting ability.
It’s one of the most authentically historic towns at the beginning of the Santa Fe Trail, and many visit in droves.
The town’s J. Huston Tavern beckons before a stroll past vintage houses, the well-respected Lyceum Theater, a mercantile and more. Visitors can also experience the pleasure of staying at a local Airbnb to soak in the spirit of bygone days.
Columbia, Mo., residents Brian and Christine Grace seemed captivated by the notion of a getaway.
“The more we visited, the more we decided this was a place to consider,” says Christine, who was enamored by the town’s historic charm.
Their venture became a reality when they bought long-time resident Ms. Ada’s house.
After a year of renovation, the 1,300-square-foot home, now detailed down to the chinked logs, reclaimed beams and cedar flooring, is delightful for those looking to make an overnight trip out of their time in Arrow Rock.
Fellow Airbnb owners and Columbia, Mo., designers Aaron Dolan and Jon Trigg renovated their 1829 historic home, called The Latch House. If antique decor is your passion, this two-bedroom house features an eclectic collection with modern conveniences, including McKenney and Hall prints gracing the walls, rustic beams and rope beds all designed to maintain a sense of place.
Interior Designer: Studio Home; @studiohomeinc
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