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1895 Tarlton House Bed & Breakfast

The nationally recognized historic 1895 Tarlton House is one hour south of the metroplex on I-35, in Hillsboro, TX. It's a 3-story Queen Anne Victorian, with the distinctive square tower and a spacious wraparound porch with several rockers. Each of the 7 unique guest rooms has a private bath, some with elegant claw foot tubs plus shower. With 4 public meeting rooms, the home is enhanced by 12 ft ceilings. Ambience of 5 stained glass windows, and 7 hand-carved fireplace mantels delight your senses. Scrumptious breakfast served daily as well as complimentary beverages and treats at your leisure.

The 2-story entry staircase is carved and panelled from wood imported from Europe. Anticipation builds upon entering here, for the craftsmanship and artistry transport you to the century when cotton was king. The staircase leads to the 4 unique guest rooms on the second floor, and subsequently the three guest rooms of the third floor.
The Music Parlor is dedicated to the memory of Sarah Elizabeth Tarlton (1862-1907), the first wife of Greene Duke Tarlton. Her influence in the design and majesty of the Tarlton House is most keenly felt in the Music Parlor. The inlaid tiles on the fireplace have figures of angels playing musical instruments. She is buried in the Hillsboro Cemetery, and the epitaph on her tombstone reads:
'Her soul was attuned to melody on earth,
Her sweet voice adds to the melody of the angel's songs.'

In the morning, you can smell freshly ground gourmet coffee waiting for you in the breakfast room. Breakfast at the Tarlton House is a full hot meal offered typically at 9 AM. Come down early and take a cup of coffee to the front wraparound porch to start a leisurely rhythm in a rocking chair.

4 guest rooms are on the second floor.

Magnolia
The Magnolia has an Old South theme, in greens and gold. The original 1895 fireplace mantel has grey tiles, imported from Italy, with embossed Fleur-de-lis emblems. The oversized bathroom has a claw foot tub with shower and a pedestal lavatory. When cotton was king, days were sultry and taxing. But with AC, the hard edge of this beautiful country is eased, leaving a courtly splendor. Amid the golden sunshine in this room, embrace your own southern charm, and what was once gone with the wind, is here for you to savor, the king bed pampering the evening with pleasure. An XL twin offers a daybed in the window alcove.

Seaside
Down by the sea, the salt air was fresh and breezy, the afternoon sailing, balmy and brisk. Now you can relax in your king bed at the inn, still sensing the gentle wafting of the waves and hearing the soothing water lapping on the sides. Resting in your adirondack chair while reading a favorite novel, you savor the evening with pleasure. 12 foot ceiling, a king 4-poster pillowtop bed and vintage chandelier. Private bath has a double-size shower with an oversized showerhead.

Cottage Garden
The Cottage Garden offers Shabby Chic pastels for a relaxing experience. The bedroom has a private bathroom with tub and shower, as well as a small sitting room. The armoire on the east wall is a lovely old work of art, a vintage piece from a prior owner. On the west end of the Tarlton House, aquamarine hugs the walls, adorned with quality antique quilts, and rose-pink accents. This is your place to feel comfortable and classy. Relax in your room, write a note at the desk, or peruse the Victorian magazine. This room just feels really good!

Lone Star
Red, white and blue, a rodeo/western theme featuring a custom wrought-iron king bed and barnwood furnishings, all with the Texas lone star. A claw foot tub, open ranch-style in the room, curtained in blue jeans, has a separate toilet room. The 1895 fireplace mantel is the darkest shade of the 7 Tarlton fireplaces. Celebrating the West, rodeo plays a part in homage to Douglas Northcutt, a 1950s pro rodeo bull rider. Drop your spurs, pull off your chaps and hang up your hat. Welcome Pardner!

3 guest rooms are on the third floor.

Lotus Blossom
On the 3rd floor, the Orient beckons adventurers East, those travelers desiring an elegant stay in the red dawn of the Rising Sun. Asian-themed, draped in red & gold silk, the Lotus Blossom has two double beds and matching carved headboards, evoking a classic sense of timeless tradition. Bamboo seating is a traditional high-back chair, roomy and comfortable, coordinated with a matching settee.
On the wall is an 1895 map of Japan. Additionally, a sketch by the artist, Matsutani, of the Meiji Period (1868-1912), is of Kahoshima Harbor. It is an authentic and very rare antique Japanese print, published by Toyodo Publishing on November 29, 1894. Looking south is an expansive view of two of Hillsboro's leading churches.

Sherwood Forest
In the vast arbor of Sherwood Forest, curious visitors discover a cottage path to the high point in the glen. Altogether the most private place at the Tarlton estate, guests of the third floor, at the west end of the hall, begin fantastic adventure. Oh yes! Merry Olde England is still alive in Sherwood Forest, and every Robin Hood, Maid Marion and Little John find satisfying shelter here. They all come and go, Friar Tuck, Allan a Dale, Will Scarlet, and Much the Miller, but special messengers from Hillsboro's elite lawmen warn when the evil Sheriff of Nottingham is in Hill County parts of Sherwood Forest.

Having 2 Queen beds and one Twin bed, this room offers families a place to stay, or is ideal for Girlfriends Getaways. Or a pair of singles can each have a queen bed. Regardless of the group, all the beds face the center of the room, a room made for talking and laughing, even all hours into the night, since you share no walls with another bedroom. Swinging from the ceiling fan and running down the hall is discouraged, however.

The private bathroom has a shower with a 4-setting massage showerhead, and also has the longest clawfoot tub you've ever seen, tucked back in the rose-garden branches, where you can soak your weary bones as long as you like.

English Rose Tower Suite
Recalling the time of castles and queens, the English Tower Suite comprises 3 rooms, visually prominent from the outside. The northeast corner architecture of the Tarlton House contains the square tower, the primary room of the suite, fitted with a King-size bed, 1500-threadcount Egyptian 100% cotton linens, and guarded by knights in armor. The look and feel of the suite is perfectly suited for anniversary or honeymoon romance.

Through the secret knight-guarded passage, a gabled sitting room is cozy comfort on the lovely vintage Victorian settee, and connects to the private bath and shower. The TV has a DVD player built in and we have a selection of movies for your viewing enjoyment.

Every castle should have a king and queen, every manor a Lord and Lady. Let your reign begin in the English Rose Tower Suite at the Tarlton House.

So....
Let us arrange the perfect holiday for you. Join us for romantic evenings with live piano serenades, or Murder Mystery Weekends; always a gourmet meal to start every day.