The Bed and Breakfast

History

This history is presented by the current owners, Scott and Truanna Nickel. It has been compiled from former owners, friends of owners, neighbors, and notes kept during the renovation process. We have a great time learning new tidbits about this magnificent structure.

1926   Barn was designed by Kansas State architecture students.

1927   Barn built with $5,000 by William Baird (almost bankrupted by the cost). Dairy consisted of attached silo, milking stalls for 36 cows, and two bull pens. Large red glazed brick on exterior of building is very unusual and was probably very expensive.

1951   Barn survived the '51 Topeka Flood.

1954   Baird auctions off assets of dairy. At least one cow was housed in the Barn around 1963.

1976   Baird family sells barn and about four acres to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Straub; Baird home on corner of 25th and Brickyard Rd. remains in the family. Straubs remodel the huge hay loft into a three-bedroom home (kitchen #1 and bathrooms #1 and #2) and begin the removal of iron stalls and concrete in the former dairy, the basement, with the intention of creating an antique store. They also add a three car garage, power wash the brickwork to remove white-wash paint, and do some earth work around the structure.

1980   John and Deanna Stambaugh purchase the "home" and add the in ground pool with the deck. Deanna barbecues in the "attic" during the cold months.

1987   John and Gayle Tyburski buy the property. Their major contribution to the barn is in the creation of a family room/bedroom in the south half of the "attic" area. This family adds the large picture window on the south face of the building.

1993   Marlin and Patricia Schriock buy the property and renovate the upper floor into a dining area by carpeting and furnishing with antiques, including an original feed cart used prior to 1954 in the dairy. They also add a bathroom (#3) and kitchen (#2), which becomes licensed for food service. Patricia is an excellent cook and reservation-only dinners begin. Some dinners were called "Circle of Friends". To facilitate the weight of expected guests on the third floor, they reinforced the walls in the two larger bedrooms; this "plumbs" the walls in these rooms, unlike any other room in the house. They also start the bed and breakfast concept in the Barn and name the location the Brickyard Barn Inn.

1995   Gene and Camille Schoettlin purchase the property to continue what the Schriocks began (Camille and Patricia are sisters).

November 1995   Andy and Marie (ReRe) Anderson buy the Brickyard Barn Inn to continue what the Schriocks began. Their major contribution to the Barn is in the basement. They finish the gutting of the iron work and concrete started by the Straubs. They replace it with a two bedroom apartment, including a kitchen (#3), two bedrooms, bathroom (#4), and office, which is located in one of the original bull pens. Dinners continue with the support of caterers. Midwest Living magazine features them and the Barn in their "Discoveries" department in 1997.

June 29, 1998   Scott and Truanna Nickel purchase the property with the help of friends, a friendly banker, and ultimately the Lord. Renovations start immediately to update the B&B by adding bathrooms (#5 and #6) in two bedrooms. The other major update is in adding a commercial kitchen (including bathroom #7) in two bays of the three-bay garage to support a full-time catering company, Brickyard Barn Inn Catering; this kitchen (#4) also supports the dining area without the need for outside caterers. A parking lot for about 30 cars is also added.

October 2, 2005   Topeka was hit by the flood and substantial damage was done to the Brickyard Barn Inn's basement, the living quarters for the owner's family, catering kitchen, and grounds. BBI catering was able to continue operating from offsite locations while the space was gutted and rebuilt. View photos from the flood.

Read articles about the Flood, the Nickels, and the Brickyard Barn Inn published by the Topeka Captial Journal:

• Future is uncertain: Insurance not covering most losses, Oct. 6, 2005
• Couple tackling setbacks: Bed-and-breakfast owners thankful for 'bright spots', Nov. 11, 2005
• Business stays afloat: Caterers are back in own kitchen after being displaced by flood, Dec. 4, 2005