Brashear House B&B, Kirksville
February 2020
Whether you are visiting a son or daughter at Truman State University or looking for a getaway, the Brashear House Bed and Breakfast encourages a slower pace. This homey two-story colonial boasts a large wrap-around porch that invites time for morning coffee or curling up with a book in the evening.
Wealthy cattleman and philanthropist Richard M. Brashear originally built the home in 1905. After his wife died, Richard gifted it to his daughter, who ran it as a boarding house. The next owner turned the house into apartments. After falling into disrepair, a professor at Truman State and A.T. Still University renovated the colonial. That’s when Tiffany Platte-Norris, a single 25-year-old, decided that she wanted to become a homeowner and business owner. She bought the house in 1999 and opened it as a bed and breakfast. Today, the Norris family, which includes Tiffany’s husband and three children—ages 12, 9 and 4 years—continue to welcome guests.
Two spacious king suites provide plenty of room and privacy. The ground floor suite has an additional pull-out bed in the living room, mini-kitchenette and a convenient separate entrance. The upstairs suite contains an oversize sofa that sleeps like a twin bed in the lovely sitting area. Both can easily accommodate families or friends traveling together. Tiffany stocks complimentary coffee, bottled water, popcorn, fruit and candy in each suite.
For breakfast, my girlfriend, Diane, and I chose Tiffany’s healthy option. A tasty egg and cheese frittata filled with our choice of sautéed spinach, onions and green pepper and served on a bed of mixed greens. Pancakes or French toast are usually on the menu, as well as fresh fruit and yogurt.
Tiffany uses produce from her son’s co-op Garden-to-Grow program through the University of Missouri Extension. In season, the family weeds, waters and harvests weekly. Whatever they don’t use is donated to the local food pantry.
“Many of our guests are healthy eaters, and some are vegetarians and vegans, so I like to accommodate all types of diets,” says Tiffany.
Located across the street, tiny Brashear Park offers a wading pool, playground, basketball court and picnic tables. There is also easy access to a well-lit, paved two-mile hike and bike trail. We opted to get in our 10,000 steps by walking to Truman’s campus. From there, we checked out the Saturday morning farmer’s market where locals sell produce and baked goods from May through October, 7 a.m. to noon. The prices were excellent, and we bought sweet Missouri peaches, just-picked kale and vine-ripened tomatoes to take home.
Visit BrashearHouseBandB.com for more information.