THE LILY STONE BED & BREAKFAST
One of the most charming attractions in Gahanna sits at the southern end of High Street, on the grounds of the Gahanna Historical Society. The Lily Stone Bed & Breakfast has been welcoming visitors to Olde Gahanna for many years. The inn boasts four bedrooms, a parlor, kitchen, and dining room, all surrounded by beautiful gardens. For restaurants, shops, or downtown strolling, the Creekside District is nearby. If guests prefer nature and the outdoors, Friendship Park is a short walk in the other direction. The prime location makes it a popular destination for guests from many different cities and states.
Lillian Stone was from one of Gahanna’s founding families who had a carriage-making shop on Mill Street. Her husband “Sim” Stone was Mayor of Gahanna in 1916 and 1917. They built the house around 1900, and the Stone family occupied the home for approximately the next 80 years.
At that time, Gahanna was growing and there was talk of tearing the building down for an apartment complex. Unable to secure a bank loan, members of the historical society “chipped in” whatever they could to raise enough money to buy the property. For the next several years, the membership literally drew names from a hat at the end of the year until all of the ladies were paid back.
It then fell to a new generation of historical society members to decide what to do with the rescued building. With vision, determination, sweat, grants, volunteers, hard work, and years of perseverance, the old home was transformed into the beautiful bed and breakfast there today.