Lodgings Spotlight: Hemp, Hospitality & Historic Home Stays
Written by Kathy Witt
Guests arriving on the doorstep of the House on Main or the Rucker House travel back in time 150 years to the late-1870s when Scott County was busy making a name for itself in hemp production, an industry established the century before by Reverend Elijah Craig (more widely known for his groundbreaking work in bourbon) and once Kentucky’s largest cash crop.
The six-bedroom, six-bath House on Main is part of Simply Southern Properties, which also owns the Rucker House, the latter a three-bedroom, two-bath historic home in walking distance of downtown Georgetown. Both homes are Italianate in style, their old-world charm and architectural appointments such as curving staircase, warm hardwood floors and exposed brick helping to transport guests to simpler times.
Both homes have also been fully renovated, with no expense spared, and are professionally managed, offering 24-hour service to guests.
The 5,000-square-foot House on Main, also known as the Rankin House and built by a hemp merchant, is located on the Kentucky Hemp Trail. It sits in stately grace in the historic homes district of East Main Street. A short walk takes visitors to the dozens of locally owned shops, boutiques and restaurants downtown as well as to Georgetown College.
The Rucker House is smaller but equally charming and tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac. Guests find original hardwood floors and
built-ins, a kitchen opening to a private backyard and inviting spaces for entertaining or relaxing.
“We take pride in our properties and have spent a great deal of time and effort with every detail of the homes to ensure a wonderful guest experience,” says Gary
Mayhall of Simply Southern Properties.
Both properties are fully furnished with modern, equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, high speed internet, private yard, barbecue grill, covered porches and other enticing amenities as well as essentials such as towels, soap, shampoo and more. A welcome gift of chocolates and Ale-8-One – the only soft drink invented in Kentucky (nearly a century ago) still in existence – greet guests as does a hand-painted mural (on an outbuilding at the House on Main) that alludes to Georgetown’s hemp-growing heyday and role in bourbon history.
“It is the perfect spot for selfies and group photos for guests to start their Georgetown travels,” Gary notes.
The House on Main is popular with family and friends groups as well as weddings parties as the entire home can be rented. So grand is the house and gorgeous the grounds that many of the wedding parties choose to have their photos taken here. The guest accommodations, each named after a thoroughbred racing champion, can also be rented individually.
Says Gary: “The four individual suites can function independently, each with its own HVAC, washer/dryer, full kitchen, etc. There are two suites that are two beds/two baths and two suites that are one bed/one bath, so the property is very flexible for guest needs.”
The Rucker House is ideal for couples, small wedding party or family reunion, a girls’ getaway -even professionals on a work trip requiring their own space.
Ready for your historic home stay? Click on the individual links for these Simply Southern Properties:
House on Main: Entire house featuring six bedrooms/six baths – four of them private apartments
The House on Main: American Pharoah ground-level unit with two king bedrooms/two baths.
The House on Main: Man O War ground-level unit with two king bedrooms/two baths.
The House on Main: Sir Barton second floor unit with one bedroom/one bath.
The House on Main: War Admiral second floor unit with one bedroom/one bath.
Rucker House: Entire house featuring three bedrooms/two baths.
Hotel to Home Hack: “We have used several local pieces of décor in our properties. One of our favorites is a sketch of downtown Georgetown from a local artist that we have framed and hung in the House on Main. We feel pieces like this really bring a hometown feel to the home. We have also used bourbon barrel heads from local distilleries and placed them throughout the home as well.” Gary Mayhall, Simply Southern Properties
Author: Kathryn Witt
Kathryn Witt is an award-winning travel and lifestyle writer, syndicated columnist and author of several books, including Secret Cincinnati, The Secret of the Belles and Atlanta Georgia: A Photographic Portrait. A member of SATW, Authors Guild and the Society of Children’s Books & Illustrators, she lives in northern Kentucky.
