10/10 Excellent
Becky F.
Apr 2, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent!
Becky F.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Entire home
Clarance Gonstead Guest Cottage, Prairie Style, Stone & Tide Water Cypress
Photo gallery for Clarance Gonstead Guest Cottage, Prairie Style, Stone & Tide Water Cypress
Reviews
10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 2900 sq ft
Popular amenities
Explore the area
Mt Horeb, WI
- Mt. Horeb Area Museum10 min walk
- Driftless Historium & Mount Horeb Area Historical Society10 min walk
- Cave of The Mounds National Natural Landmark7 min drive
- Madison, WI (MSN-Dane County Regional)47 min drive
Rooms & beds
1 bedroom (sleeps 2)
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
Convertible bed(s)
1 Queen Bed
Office
1 Double Futon
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Clarance Gonstead Guest Cottage, Prairie Style, Stone & Tide Water Cypress
The Guest Cottage was built for the world renowned Chiropractor, Clarance Gonstead from 1950 - 1952 and designed by Architect, Herb Fritz Jr. in the Prairie Style of architecture made popular by Herb's Mentor, Frank Lloyd Wright. The cottage is centrally located in town on two acres and separated from the main house. The exterior is clad in clay tile and lanon stone and the interior finishes are stone and tide water cypress walls and ceiling with quarry tile and carpet floors.
The hilly local terrain, abandoned level rail road trails and off road trails in the state park provide opportunity for all levels of biking enthusiasts. Old farts can bring your own e-bike and use this as your base to explore the drift-less region. We provide descent gravel trail bikes if you are traveling light. Mount Horeb has a village owned public golf course, public pool and almost weekly organized events within walking distance. The radiant floor heating system and the proximity to down ski hills, cross country trails and an outdoor ice skating rink blocks away, make this an ideal winter retreat, unfortunately we have had to fall in line with all the other inns and discontinue use of the wood burning fireplace to satisfy insurance restrictions so we installed a 4K television with a sound bar that provides the visual and auditory ambience of a variety of wood burning fire places and the floor provides the heat. You also have the flexibility of watching a movie on an internet TV.
The rear bedroom has been converted into a full blown office with a wrap around view of the gardens, "Uplift" sit/stand desk, comfortable office chair, file cabinet and 4K monitor w/ laptop mount on (2) VESA mount floating arms. USB-C, HDMI and Display port compatible.
Keywords: Guest House, cottage, cabin, prairie style, mid century modern, mcm, Taliesin, Architecture, FLW, Frank Lloyd Wright, Herb Fritz, Spring Green, Architect, trail, bikes, driftless, office, monitor, Uplift, sit/stand, desk, extended stay, long term
The hilly local terrain, abandoned level rail road trails and off road trails in the state park provide opportunity for all levels of biking enthusiasts. Old farts can bring your own e-bike and use this as your base to explore the drift-less region. We provide descent gravel trail bikes if you are traveling light. Mount Horeb has a village owned public golf course, public pool and almost weekly organized events within walking distance. The radiant floor heating system and the proximity to down ski hills, cross country trails and an outdoor ice skating rink blocks away, make this an ideal winter retreat, unfortunately we have had to fall in line with all the other inns and discontinue use of the wood burning fireplace to satisfy insurance restrictions so we installed a 4K television with a sound bar that provides the visual and auditory ambience of a variety of wood burning fire places and the floor provides the heat. You also have the flexibility of watching a movie on an internet TV.
The rear bedroom has been converted into a full blown office with a wrap around view of the gardens, "Uplift" sit/stand desk, comfortable office chair, file cabinet and 4K monitor w/ laptop mount on (2) VESA mount floating arms. USB-C, HDMI and Display port compatible.
Keywords: Guest House, cottage, cabin, prairie style, mid century modern, mcm, Taliesin, Architecture, FLW, Frank Lloyd Wright, Herb Fritz, Spring Green, Architect, trail, bikes, driftless, office, monitor, Uplift, sit/stand, desk, extended stay, long term
Property manager
Phil Wall
Languages
English
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Gym
Outdoor Space
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House Rules
Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 13-17
Children 12 and older
Events
No events allowed
Pets
No pets allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
We should mention
A car is required for transportation to and from this property
About the neighborhood
Mount Horeb
Located in Mount Horeb, this cottage is in the city center. Mt. Horeb Area Museum and Driftless Historium & Mount Horeb Area Historical Society are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Norsk Golf Club and Tyrol Basin Ski & Snowboard Area. Howard Himsel Park and Waltz Park are also worth visiting. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Mt Horeb, WI
What's nearby
- Mt. Horeb Area Museum - 10 min walk - 0.8 km
- Driftless Historium & Mount Horeb Area Historical Society - 10 min walk - 0.8 km
- Mount Horeb Village Hall - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
- Cave of The Mounds National Natural Landmark - 7 min drive - 7.2 km
- Tyrol Basin Ski & Snowboard Area - 10 min drive - 9.9 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Culver's - 4 min drive
- Casey's - 8 min drive
- Grumpy Troll Brew Pub - 8 min walk
- McDonald's - 3 min drive
- Morgan's - 12 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window10/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
10/10
Location
10/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Brandon J.
Mar 17, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gonstead stay
Brandon J.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
Andy P.
Feb 19, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Revisiting one of our favorites
Andy P.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
10/10 Excellent
Eliza F.
Dec 1, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Home away from home
Eliza F.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
10/10 Excellent
Jenn M.
Aug 26, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A wonderful location to spend time
Jenn M.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Karen K.
Aug 14, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Mount Horeb
Karen K.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
8/10 Good
Verified traveler
Jun 23, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gonstead Guest Cottage
Verified traveler
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
10/10 Excellent
Thomas S.
Jul 9, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
100% Satisfied
Thomas S.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Leslie R.
Aug 26, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great cottage
Leslie R.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
10/10 Excellent
Dan L.
May 13, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Life is a dream
Dan L.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
10/10 Excellent
Becky L.
Oct 16, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A great retreat
Becky L.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
10/10 Excellent
Jay P.
Mar 16, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Mt. Horeb/Clarance Gonstead Getaway Trip
Jay P.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
10/10 Excellent
Robyn M.
May 28, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Frank Lloyd Wright get away
Robyn M.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
10/10 Excellent
Justin G.
May 29, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Space!
Justin G.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
10/10 Excellent
Pamela O.
May 28, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Terrific!
Pamela O.
Stayed 1 night in May 2023
10/10 Excellent
Mary B.
Aug 9, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful stay
Mary B.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
10/10 Excellent
Sheri B.
Nov 13, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Buckeye Fans
Sheri B.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
10/10 Excellent
Marjean A.
Jul 24, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Trip down memory lane
Marjean A.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
10/10 Excellent
Phebe L.
Jul 22, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The perfect staycation
Phebe L.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Kris B.
Aug 1, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Incredible
Kris B.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023
10/10 Excellent
Katie K.
May 15, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cool, relaxing space and great hosts
Katie K.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
10/10 Excellent
Chris G.
May 7, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing vacation
Chris G.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
10/10 Excellent
Phil J.
Jun 5, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Birthday Celebration
Phil J.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
10/10 Excellent
Robert d.
Oct 19, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Mount Pleasure
Robert d.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
10/10 Excellent
Noah W.
Jun 25, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Joyce and Phil have were warm and welcoming. My wife and I felt right at home.
Noah W.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022
About the host
Hosted by Phil Wall
I am a retired Architect and my wife is a retired 4th-5th grade public school teacher and we are both on to our second and third retirement jobs.
Why they chose this property
We purchased the property because of the mature landscape and to prevent the landmark with it's historical connection to both Frank Lloyd Wright, Herb Fritz and the famous chiropractor, Clarence Gonstead, from becoming 6 lots in a planned subdivision.
My wife walked across the street through the baseball diamond to work and I worked out of my home office for years before Covid made it popular, so it was a good fit while raising kids.
My wife walked across the street through the baseball diamond to work and I worked out of my home office for years before Covid made it popular, so it was a good fit while raising kids.
What makes this property unique
Winter sunrise through the large sheets of glass, casts shadows on the field dressed lanon stone walls and reflects a warm tone off the low cypress ceilings. The radiantly heated floor and Music served up from an Ipod and played though the vintage stereo system, together with convenient proximity to down hill, cross country, skating and snow shoeing makes it a great romantic getaway for more energetic guests.
In the summer, the well placed mature landscaping provides cool shade and the thermal mass provides natural air conditioning so you can enjoy the interior environment or relax in a hammock under the filtered light of a skyline locust tree.
The proximity to Main Street and the Bike trail means that you can leave your car parked in the driveway to enjoy the Quaint downtown and traditional residential urban planning of the old town where sidewalks are not interrupted by driveways and garages are on the alley. Downtown is now home to the Duluth Trading Company and numerous art galleries with both traditional and European choices in dining. Locally brewed beers and wines offer more reasons to extend your stay. The bike trail is absolutely gorgeous and connected to 100s of miles of trails. After Verona the trail is paved and takes you via tunnels and overpasses to the capital square in Madison. Joyce puts around 3,600 miles on her e-bike every year on the bike trail. It is a great retirement location.
In the summer, the well placed mature landscaping provides cool shade and the thermal mass provides natural air conditioning so you can enjoy the interior environment or relax in a hammock under the filtered light of a skyline locust tree.
The proximity to Main Street and the Bike trail means that you can leave your car parked in the driveway to enjoy the Quaint downtown and traditional residential urban planning of the old town where sidewalks are not interrupted by driveways and garages are on the alley. Downtown is now home to the Duluth Trading Company and numerous art galleries with both traditional and European choices in dining. Locally brewed beers and wines offer more reasons to extend your stay. The bike trail is absolutely gorgeous and connected to 100s of miles of trails. After Verona the trail is paved and takes you via tunnels and overpasses to the capital square in Madison. Joyce puts around 3,600 miles on her e-bike every year on the bike trail. It is a great retirement location.
Languages:
English
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