Arsula’s House – A Family Home Preserved and Shared
Arsula’s House sits atop Goe Hill, overlooking Stonefort Valley, the Stone Fort Bluffs, and the edge of the Shawnee National Forest. It is not a replica or a themed stay — it is a real family home, built and preserved with intention.
The house was built in the early 1970s by our grandfather, Johnny B., for our grandmother, Arsula — whom he lovingly called Dot. I helped build it as a young man, and our family has cared for it ever since. Today, it is shared as a place to rest, gather, and experience a home shaped by craftsmanship, local materials, and time.
While the home has been thoughtfully updated for comfort, we have been careful to preserve the character and atmosphere Johnny B. intended. Many of the furnishings were built in our own wood shop using reclaimed and century-old materials, and several elements incorporate authentic artifacts from a local coal mine. These are not decorative reproductions — they are part of the home’s story.
From the house, you can see Stone Fort Bluffs, Tom Dick Hill, and the beginning of the Shawnee National Forest to the southeast. The area offers direct access to hiking, waterfalls, overlooks, and quiet backroads, all without crowds or noise.
Nearby attractions include Burden Falls, Bell Smith Springs, Buzzards Roost, McCormick Lookout Tower, Trigg Tower, Camp Ondessonk, Cedar Falls, and the Tunnel Hill State Trail, which runs directly through the center of town. Garden of the Gods and Cave-in-Rock are also within easy driving distance.
Guests have access to the entire home, with the exception of a few locked storage areas. Stonefort is a quiet town of roughly 250 people, offering excellent access to the Shawnee National Forest and a slower, more grounded pace of life.
Arsula’s House is shared with guests who value craftsmanship, history, and a sense of place. We ask that it be treated with the same care it was built with.

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