A Trip to Historic Versailles is a Must for any History Lovers Bucket List by Janet Dabbs

Morgan County Courthouse

Morgan County is Rich in History

If you love history, take a tour of Morgan County. 

Versailles is the county-seat of Morgan County and the Versailles downtown square proudly displays the prosperity of the late 1800’s in its architecture.

In the center, is the crown jewel, the 1889 Morgan County Courthouse. The courthouse is surrounded on all sides by turn of the century structures.

Bank of Versailles 

A meandering tour through the county is an absolute delight to those who appreciate exploring historical churches, homes, bicentennial farms, old cemeteries, civil war sites, caves and more!

A stop at the 1877 Morgan County History Museum is a necessary addition to the tour, as there are knowledgable tour guides and it is filled with a plethora of historical artifacts and exciting stories of Indians, outlaws, war heroes and stagecoaches!

Morgan County Museum

History lovers will also enjoy LIVE theater productions and concerts at the historic 1932 Royal Theatre on the Versailles square.

Royal Theater

Shady Gables Tea Room 
Missouri’s Number One Rated Tea Room!

Shady Gables Tearoom and Gift Gallery

The Shady Gables Tearoom and Gift Gallery is a cozy, traditional, English-style afternoon tea room in a charming 118-year-old, two story Victorian Farm House located a few blocks off the town square. They serve meals "Afternoon Tea" style in the Victorian Tradition that was invented in 1840 by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford. It is an elegant and delicate custom that was generally reserved for high society. Take a break from your busy life and step into another world. Experience this nostalgic tradition for yourself or treat a loved one. A meal at Shady Gables is more than a meal—it is an experience that you will want to savor anytime that you visit the Lake of the Ozarks area.

1877 Historic Victorian Style
Hilty Inn Bed and Breakfast

Hilly Inn Bed and Breakfast

206 E. Jasper Street

Versailles, Mo.

To savor the full effect, while on tour, be sure to stay at the historic 1877 Victorian Hilty Inn Bed and Breakfast, located on the corner of the Versailles old-town-square. 

The 1800’s Experience

Hilty Inn Bed and Breakfast Inn Keeper Doris Hitly has graciously opened her two-story home for guests to experience what it was like to live in an 1800’s mansion at the turn of the century.

In true Victorian Style, the front of the house features gingerbread detail on the porches. 

A two-story screened in veranda at the back of the home allows guests to quietly relax and enjoy fresh air and conversation.

A stay at the Inn is therapy for the soul.

Each room is a showcase of antiques, collectibles, and Victorian décor and each guest is welcomed as an old friend.

In the Wild Rose front parlor, a fireplace and comfortable couches welcomes guests. An old piano and a wall of books entice one to possible evening entertainments. 

The wallpaper is soft sage with rosebuds on vines that never fade or fall. Below, the rug mirrors those vines, except the buds have blossomed into full blooms. Such design choices prove Inn Keeper Doris Hilty’s eye for detailed elements that speak to each other. The result is beautiful.

A beautiful open staircase, with a walnut newel post, ascends to beautifully appointed bedrooms, each with a private bath, one with a lovely claw-foot bathtub-shower. 

Queen Ann-leg dressers and comfortable antique beds beckon guests to a restful night’s sleep. Thoughtful touches pamper guests who find chocolates on their pillow, a soft-fluffy bath robe to snuggle in and hand sewn postage stamp quilts. 

A sitting room can make your room a suite and private porches are also available on request.

Everywhere there are freshly cut flowers. Their scent sweetens the air; their blooms bring gardens to life indoors. These come from Doris Hilty’s sister’s garden near Versailles or from the Inn’s own gardens. They are but one more example of the many gifts a great hostess provides to her guests.

Doris Hilty is a charming hostess with infectious hospitality.  She invites guests to the island to chat while she cooks breakfast. It is served in the dining room on a table carefully set with good china.

We are sure you find that pairing together the Hilty Inn Bed and Breakfast with a tour of Historic Morgan County will not only be educational, but pure nourishment for the body and soul!

Make your reservation today at hiltyinnbedandbreakfast.com

Additional Links:

Hilly Inn Bed and Breakfast hiltyinnbedandbreakfast.com

Jacobs Cave jacobscave.comMorgan County Books For Sale 

Morgan County Courthouse http://www.morgan-county.org

Morgan County Missouri Historical Society and Museum: morganmomuseum.org

Royal Theater royaltheater.com

Shady Gables Tea Room shadygables.com
Morgan County Churches https://shsmo.org/manuscripts/rolla/r0429.pdf
Missouri State Historical Society https://shsmo.org/manuscripts/index.shtml


Additional Information:

Civil War Actions, Skirmishes, and Battles

August 29, 1862 – Skirmish at California House involving Missouri’s 13th State Militia Cavalry.
October 18, 1862 – Skirmish at California House involving Missouri’s 5th and 13th State Militia Cavalry.
October 10, 1863 – Affair at Tipton involving Missouri’s 4th State Militia Cavalry (Companies A, B, E, & F) alongside Missouri’s 5th Enrolled Militia (Companies D & E).
February 12, 1864 – Affair near California House involving a detachment of Missouri’s 8th State Militia Cavalry.
September 1, 1864 – Attack on Tipton involving Missouri citizens.
October 9, 1864 – Skirmish at California involving Iowa’s 1st Cavalry, Missouri’s 1st, 4th, and 7th State Militia Cavalries and Missouri’s Batteries “H” and “L” 2nd Light Artillery.