courtesy photo The original home was built in the late 1800s.
courtesy photo The Collier House today with the most obvious change: the addition of a porch.
courtesy photo A view of the living and dining rooms inside.
“The Collier House” is Grant’s newest Bed & Breakfast
By Shari Friedel
Grant Tribune-Sentinel
One of Grant’s oldest homes is now serving as the newest bed and breakfast in town, owned and operated by Bob and DeeAnn Tatum.
“The Collier House” as DeeAnn calls it, was the first site-built home in Grant. The year was 1892, and it was just six years after Grant had been established as a town in what was then part of Keith County.
Remarkably, the house has had only three owners in its 130 years. The original owners were Charles and Amelia Collier, owners of Grant’s first lumber yard. They supplied the lumber for many of Grant’s original homes.
Beginning in the mid-1960s, the home was occupied by Fern Benge, who served as librarian of Hastings Memorial Library for decades.
Bob and DeeAnn Tatum bought the house from Fern approximately 16 years ago and until recently, used it as a rental property.
When their tenant moved out in December 2021, the Tatums explored the possibility of creating a bed and breakfast, and embarked on a total renovation, uncovering wood floors, removing layer upon layer of wallpaper, painting, and incorporporating unique fixtures they have collected over the years. Pieces from almost every era blend together to create a unique and charming environment. Wherever possible, they have retained original features to preserve the history of the home.
The Tatums did the majority of the remodeling themselves, hiring extra help with electricity and plumbing, and other major projects associated with the remodel.
With a background in art and as the manager and hostess of Meadowlark Gallery in Grant, DeeAnn excells at, and thoroughly enjoys staging a welcoming atmosphere, which she does with each new guest who books the home.
Open for approximately a month to date, the Tatums have hosted several guests already, receiving lots of praise for their efforts.
“DeeAnn’s place absolutely oozes with charm!” said one, and another said, “If you are traveling on I-80, drive the extra 15 miles to Grant and stay at the Collier House—you won’t be sorry!”