The Honey Barn & Honey House LLC

About Rick Starkey

My wife Janie and I bought this property in 2009, after looking for a suitable recreational property for a few years. This property was close enough to our home that we could justify making the short drive there, whether to work, play, or simply relax. Janie is a purchasing agent for a local company where she has worked for a number of years. I am a semi-retired teacher, who still subs regularly, and misses the classroom on some days. We both have small-town or country roots, and we knew this little piece of country heaven would bring back a multitude of memories for us. Since we both have a sort of love for barns, but couldn't find one within our budget to rebuild or remodel, we decided to build our own barn from the ground up. This barn definitely has all the modern amenities, though, and is not your grandpa's barn. Come see for yourself.

Why Rick Starkey chose Vernon County

My wife Janie and I purchased this property in 2009. At the time, we just wanted a place in the country to go and enjoy the wildlife, country fresh air, and to share with family and friends. With much help from friends and neighbors, we cleaned up the property, which had been neglected for years, and also fixed up the original Honey House, which is so named because of it's original use as a honey-processing building, according to long-time neighbors and local residents. After having owned, worked on, and shared the property for a few years, last summer we decided to build a barn-style cabin as a rental unit. We acted as our own general contractor, using local subcontractors for the majority of the work, and began the process of tree removal and excavating in July of 2014. Local Amish builders actually built the barn itself, doing an amazing job, and maintaining the barn-style authenticity we were hoping to achieve. Other local contractors did the new well. septic, electrical, and heating and ventilation. Janie and I were very busy as general contractors, making sure everyone had the materials and supplies they needed when they needed them. We did do all of the interior finishes ourselves, which we were doing during the course of the winter months. This included staining hundreds of boards, painting the south wall, and staining the heated concrete floors. We also selected the light fixtures, cabinets, and other interior finishes ourselves. Although the Honey Barn has been technically ready to rent for a couple of months now, we wanted to make sure it was truly worthy of our guests before we actually made it available to the public. We have finally reached that point now. We hope you will agree.

What makes this Cabin unique

The Honey Barn will take you back to a simpler place and time, when people took the time to enjoy the little things in life, like a brilliant sunrise, or sunset, or the sound of a wild turkey gobbling on the hill or across the valley. Watch as whitetail deer stroll across the lawn to drink from the West Fork of the Kickapoo River directly across the road from the cabin. If trout fishing is your passion, you are in luck, with fishing access located at the south end of the property. Maybe you would prefer to simply sit on the porch and read a book while listening to nature's symphony of sounds, with various birds, animals, and insects playing the music. This cabin sleeps six in queen-size beds, with the downstairs private room, and two beds in the loft. You will enjoy the views both inside and out, with the large windows, double doors, and views from the loft area. There are many combinations of lighting options, with stair lighting, above cabinet lighting, ceiling fan lighting, and even the fireplace has LED lighting possibilities. Always there is nature's natural lighting, which is the best. You will also be able to have your own campfire in the fire pit, easily accessed or viewed from the cabin porch, with firewood included. Just bring your guitar, mandolin, or banjo and let the music begin! Awaken to the sights and sounds of new day, refreshed and ready to enjoy what the day has to offer you. On Saturday morning, you may want to take the short, but steep walk up Pa's Road to the Amish bakery at the top of the hill, about a half mile away. The smells will prompt you to purchase and sample just a bit more than you may have planned. In any case, the Honey Barn will be a place you will want to visit again and again, and tell your friends and family about upon your return home. Please come and be our guests.