A century ago, the historic Bonnymill Inn in Chesaning was a grain elevator. Trucks drove right off Broad Street and through what is now a dining room to drop off their load. Now, new owners are restoring this Chesaning business.
Converted in the 1980s, the Bonnymill Inn is beginning its second run as an inn. Pam and Dennis Wyant moved from Wyoming and chose the Bonnymill after a national search. They thought it was special.
"Literallty, it looked like someone was on vacation and didn't come home, because we found it like this and didn't have to do a lot," said co-owner Pam Wyant. "The Evanhoe family that remodeled it went antiquing often. We like the old historical step back in time."
Don Swartzmiller, third generation owner of the lumberyard next door, remembers when the Bonnymill was a grain elevator.
"It was a very productive elevator, busy," Swartzmiller said.
From the late 80s to 2006, the grain-elevator-turned-hotel was a centerpiece of this area, notably housing performers for the Chesaning Showboat.
"They would come to the lumberyard, come in and visit," Swartzmiller said. "We'd have coffee. It was just a really nice time in the community."
Perhaps, it is why the Chesaning community has welcomed the Wyant's efforts.
"Everyone has been real genuine about keeping this place alive," Pam Wyant said.
And, Pam and Dennis Wyant have embraced the history, keeping the Bonnymill Inn name. A historic building, made in Michigan, now with a touch of Wyoming.
"It brings another nice place to eat, it brings employment into the community and we're glad to have them here and enjoy them here," said Swartzmiller said.
Next week, Kevin Usealman visits Swartzmiller Lumber and shows how this old-time family business has changed with the times.
