The Graf House was built in 1910 near Upper Iowa University. (Photo: Airbnb)
By Jessica O’Riley
Four years ago, a sister-in-law, two cousins and I decided we needed a girls’ weekend. We checked calendars and Airbnb availability in our price range and landed in Keosauqua. The following year, we stayed in Washington in a converted train depot. Last year, it was a farm outside of Janesville complete with a pond, pigs and a hot tub. This year, we ended up at the Graf House in Fayette, up in Iowa’s northeast corner.
The house charmed us the minute we stepped inside. The main floor has a kitchen, butler’s pantry, dining room, game room (with a foosball table, plus shelves of games and puzzles), full bathroom, living room with a fireplace and a cabinet stereo, and a front room with — wait for it — a working jukebox (pictured). It was an amenity we didn’t know our weekends had needed. Since it was set to play for free, we created a background soundtrack for our entire stay.
Upstairs were four bedrooms, each with a queen-sized bed, and another full bathroom. One closet had a vintage built-in vanity while another had a half-bath. They were all thoughtfully decorated with retro touches, and the woodwork was gorgeous.
Outside, the wraparound front porch has a swing, rocking chair and bistro table with chairs, and the back porch has a table and chairs. I can confirm all make great reading spots.
The house sits near Upper Iowa University and was built in 1910 for John and Nora Graf. Their daughter Zinita graduated from the university in 1913 and became a noted actress with the traveling Clifford Deveraux Company. She died in 1950 and is buried in Fayette’s Grandview Cemetery. According to legend, she still haunts the university’s performing arts venue.
In addition to Graf House’s good looks and colorful history, it made a perfect home base for exploring northeast Iowa. In Fayette, we shopped at the thrift store (which benefits the local food pantry) and admired the county’s Freedom Rock. We ventured 10 miles north to West Union for groceries from the locally owned Heartland Market and Quillin’s Grocery Store, and we couldn’t pass up ice cream from the Barrel Drive In.
Before the weekend was over, we were already discussing returning for next year’s cousins’ weekend. There is so much more to explore. Within an hour’s drive, we could visit Oelwein, Decorah, Backbone State Park, Strawberry Point or McGregor, to name just a few.
Contributor Jessica O’Riley of Pleasant Hill worked for nearly 20 years with Travel Iowa, the state tourism office, after a previous stint with the Iowa State Fair.
Show Comments (0)