Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
MITCHELL – It’s been one year since the renovated Spring Mill Inn opened after a two-year closure and less than a year since work wrapped up on the grist mill in the park’s Pioneer Village.
The return of Lawrence County’s most popular tourism assets means the return of visitors.
Lawrence County collects a 5% innkeepers tax on lodging establishments. This includes hotels, motels and Airbnbs.
Tonya Chastain, executive director of Lawrence County, said revenue from the innkeepers tax is running about 15% more than a year ago.
“Our numbers stayed steady even during the time the inn was closed,” she said. “But with the inn open again, we’ve put 71 rooms back into the market and we didn’t have that for two years and that’s very much been a positive.”
IU football’s winning season is also good for lodging businesses. Chastain said Lawrence County hotels see a bump on home football weekends. Wedding venues are another draw to the county.
“We have nine different wedding venues and if you’re having a wedding, then you need to put up the wedding party and guests,” Chastain said.
More Airbnbs in county
The Lawrence County Tourism Commission added three new billboards – two on I-69 to capture travelers from the north – and one south – to promote the county.
Also driving up visitor numbers are the popularity of Airbnbs.
The number of properties listed can vary, but Chastain said Lawrence County usually has 30 listings on sites like VRBO and Airbnb.
“Five years ago we were lucky to have 10,” she said. “It’s really increased and is becoming more popular.”
Chastain said big families, wedding parties and friend groups want to be able to stay together, rather than be split up into hotel rooms. Large properties like Goose Creek Chalet and the Hamer House at Avoca Park are filling that need along with a variety of other properties.
“Families really like that because the kids can go outside and play and in the evening they can be together playing games or sitting around a fire pit,” Chastain said.
Joyce Hawkins is an Airbnb host and owner of two homes in Mitchell. Both are located on Clover Lane, just off Ind. 37. Wood Leaf is a farmhouse with room for eight guests and Jeanie’s Place accommodates six guests.
Occupancy ebbs and flows with the seasons, Hawkins said.
“For two months in the fall, we were busy about every weekend,” Hawkins said.
As the temperatures drop, bookings slow down, although the holidays are typically booked with guests in town to visit family. As an Airbnb host, Hawkins said people come to southern Indiana for all kinds of events and activities.
“They stay for funerals, weddings and holidays. We had a guy who worked for a driver who was racing at Salem Speedway. We had a group of women stay with us from Arkansas who were attending a Mary Kay convention in French Lick,” she said.
Hawkins became an Airbnb host after her family bought a farm that included a house.
Rather than lease it out long-term, Hawkins decided to list it on Airbnb. An opportunity to buy a second house – Jeanie’s Place – came later.
“It’s worked out really well. I just wanted a nice place for people to stay when they come to Mitchell,” she said of being a host. “I’ve had lots of repeats and all my clients have been wonderful.”
A Super Host experience
Kim Jackson Maudlin has been a host for just more than a year. She has two properties – one is a 1950s-theme limestone home in the Bedford city limits – and the other is a rustic, deer-theme log cabin on Williams Road.
“Cosmic Cottage” was “frozen in time” when she bought the house. Inspired by stories of her parents growing up in Bedford in the 1950s and 1960s, she decided to keep the linoleum floor and period cabinets and lean into the retro theme.
The house is decorated in a 1950s color palette and local memorabilia that includes a 1957 Mullis Petroleum calendar, Bedford High School yearbooks and vinyl records.
More than just a place to stay for a few days, the Cosmic Cottage is an experience.
“It’s warm, it leaves you with a picture of what Bedford was like in that time period. When you leave, you take a piece of Lawrence County with you,” she said.
Guests have appreciated the historic touches.
“I’ve had two folks who stayed with me who found their parents in the yearbook,” she said.
Jackson Maudlin recently became a “super host,” the top rating for Airbnb properties.
“A lot of work goes into achieving that,” she said. “You have to have a great cleaning crew, because your place has to be immaculate.”
As a host, she provides snacks that are suited for her guests’ preferences and she provides information about local dining and places to visit.
Deer Bend Cabin sleeps eight and offers a peaceful refuge for guests, who can sit on the porch and watch deer. She’s planning to add an Amish-built cabin (sleeps five) to the property that will be ready by spring.
Deer Bend was Jackson Maudlin’s childhood home.
“My parents put all their heart into building that cabin,” she said. “I’m glad someone else can enjoy it.”
Most of her guests travel from the Midwest, but she’s also hosted visitors from southern states.
The most common visitors are those visiting family in the area. But she also hosts a lot of hikers, business travelers (NSWC Crane and construction workers) and groups of friends. She also attracts guests when Bloomington rentals and hotels are full from big events at Indiana University.
Both her properties are stocked with games and puzzles. Deer Bend has a fire pit and horseshoes.
Jackson Maudlin said she never expected to become a rental host, but it’s been a great journey so far.
“I’m thrilled with the decision,” she said. “It’s a chance to celebrate this area and all that we have to offer. If you leave with warm, fuzzy memories, then I’ve done my job.”