HIS Garden: Springport Guesthouse at Lake Lillidel |

It all started with my mother. As a Navy wife, she loved to travel and she never knew a stranger. Growing up, we always welcomed people my parents had met over the years in military life and on their trips across the country.

When my mother left housekeeping, we wanted her to live near us. So we found a place in Henry’s County that would allow him to have his own residence while still being nearby. The property we found was an abandoned, foreclosed house nestled on 30 acres in Springport with a small stocked lake and walking trails.

Mom named the water “Lake Lillidel” after her own mother, who grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains. After mom passed away, we found ourselves with extra living space on our property. We didn’t want to empty the things she collected and the heirlooms she kept. What about an Airbnb? In 2018, this was a new concept for Henry County. We wondered if people would like to stay in rural areas. We learned that if you build it; they will come.

Airbnb has made it possible to meet so many interesting people. Being centrally located between New Castle and Muncie is ideal. We’ve hosted visiting gymnasts, Iron Man participants, aviation enthusiasts, high school lecturers, and people with a student from Ball State University who want to cook a home-cooked meal and do laundry. We’ve met people traveling across the country, families looking for a central meeting place for a girls’ getaway or a place to stay while on vacation.

You can fish and swim in the lake and use the free kayaks. There is a small beach and a perfect fire pit for beautiful Indiana fall evenings. The property has walking trails and there are plenty of wildlife and woodland creatures to keep the city dweller happy.

The local herons enjoying the lake are celebrities! In the fall, Jacobs Orchard is a favorite spot, as is 1000 Degree Wood Fired Pizza at Mt. Summit and Summit Lake State Park. We had the honor of hosting members and wedding party guests using the beautiful wedding venue at Whitetail Tree Farm. The people of Henry County are blessed with amazing amenities and it was surprising to see the many places where we could first list the question, “What’s there to do?” was posed.

Surprisingly, COVID hasn’t slowed Airbnb down. More than ever, people were looking for a place accessible by car where they could relax with their families, away from the large crowds. We have hosted many weekend guests seeking peace and solitude. While travelers will always need hotels to rest, the Airbnb and Vacation Rentals By Owner (VRBO) platforms offer a wonderful opportunity to experience a locality in a new and interesting way, all while having a kitchen!

My mom would be happy to know that world-weary travelers, families, and friends, far and near, have a place to gather, visit, and reconnect. There’s a hidden hidden gem in Springport, so next time you’re scrolling through Airbnb or VRBO, check out the “Springport Guesthouse at Lake Lillidel”.

Mary Willis is an attorney who has lived in Henry County for over 20 years. She and her husband, Todd, have two children and reside in Springport.

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