Recess Inn B&B

10/15/2026

We love hosting, and workshops are no different. Bringing folks together to learn, create, and build community is what we’re all about. Our next scheduled workshop is right before Thanksgiving. Book early to guarantee your spot!
https://www.therecessinn.com/service-page/cake-decorating-workshop

10/13/2026

We're feeling pretty honored! The Recess Inn has been nominated for Missouri Life Magazine's Show Me the Best of Missouri awards!

When we became the stewards of our little 1909 schoolhouse bed & breakfast in our hometown of Ethel, we hoped to nurture a place where people could slow down, feel at home, and experience a little of the magic of rural Missouri. It's been such a joy to share this special place with our guests and community.

If you've enjoyed a stay, attended an event, or simply believe in what we're building here, we'd be so grateful for your vote! Voting is open until November 10, and you can vote daily!

Vote for the Recess Inn in the History, Culture, & Travel category here: https://missourilife.com/best-of/ #/gallery?group=559532

Thank you for cheering us on and helping us keep this old schoolhouse full of life. We're grateful for every bit of support!

10/10/2026

Guest book entries like this make our hearts so happy. We put a lot of love into the Recess Inn and sharing it with others is a joy. ❤️

10/09/2026

The innkeeper is off for the weekend! Just 30 minutes away from the Inn is La Plata Amtrak station. They have daily stops making it a quick and easy way to Chicago, Kansas City, and beyond! Amtrak

10/08/2026

Can you believe this beauty cost $4,000 to build in 1909? Mention in the Bucklin Herald, August 6, 1909, page 8.

In alignment with our mission to steward our property and its history, we're putting together an application for the National Register of Historic Places. We're hoping to track down information about the architect and builder of the school and have had no luck so far with the Macon County Recorder of Deeds (thanks to a fire in the 1940s), Truman State University Special Collections, or the Macon County Historical Society. Thanks to research from Robyn Oman Pittman, we know the town of Ethel voted to issue bonds to build a new school in early June 1909, with mentions of this appearing in the La Plata Home Press and the Macon Republican newspapers. The building was completed in late 1909, and the first day of classes was January 31, 1910.

Is anyone in the Columbia, MO area up for a research project? The Ethel Courier from that time is on microfilm at the State Historical Society of Missouri. Let us know if you're up for some sleuthing!

10/07/2026

Mark your calendars! The Wienermobile will be in Ethel. While coming to town for Bologna Fest (did you know that all of Oscar Mayer Bologna is made in Kirksville?!), the copilots are staying with us and said if any locals wanted to come to check it out to come on by. This would be over the weekend of the 23rd-25th keep an eye out for it. 🌭

10/06/2026

The next generation visiting the free little library in our front yard. This makes our hearts happy to see it being put to good use. There are books for all ages, stop by and find a book for your next read!

10/03/2026