The Jackson House Bed and Breakfast, built in 1859, is located in Railroad, Pennsylvania, adjacent to the Heritage Rail Trail. The house includes six guest rooms, four of which are in the main house, while the other two are in the Cottage. The owners, Amanda and Damon, hope the visitor's experience at their bed and breakfast is "comfortable and relaxing.” Each morning, breakfast is prepared by Damon and served to those staying at the property. According to Amanda, breakfast tends to be the most mentioned by guests in their reviews. Diverse types of attractions and activities are available nearby, depending on the time of year, as well as in other cities that visitors can travel to within an hour.
The Jackson House Bed and Breakfast, built in 1859, is located in Railroad, Pennsylvania, adjacent to the Heritage Rail Trail. The B&B has six reservable rooms for potential visitors to choose from. The main building contains four rooms, and the Cottage building houses the other two. Amanda, one of the owners of the property, says that each room has its own unique style, and while the house does not have a specific period to which its style may be attributed, she says that the feel is "historic with a slightly modern twist.” The rooms all have similar amenities, which include a flat-screen tv, private bathroom, Wi-Fi, and central heat and air. One of the owners says that the Jackson and the Cottage suites are the most commonly reserved rooms.
The establishment has other amenities available on the grounds and in the main house. The main house has a guest fridge located in the kitchen stocked with soft drinks for the guests and where visitors can store perishables during their stay. Coffee, tea, and homemade cookies made by Damon, one of the owners, are available in the kitchen 24 hours a day. Amanda says the property has its own custom blend of coffee, which is served during breakfast in branded coffee mugs. Both the coffee and mugs are available for sale.
There is a parlor room on the second floor with games and a flat-screen TV where guests can relax or socialize. The parlor can also be reserved for small events. The terraced and landscaped grounds offer other amenities for guests. The main level, located on the Heritage Rail Trail, has a patio area with seating and is adjacent to the goldfish pond, which features a waterfall. On the second level, there is a 12-person hot tub available for guest use. At the very top of the hill is a cistern that used to provide the water pressure for the historic Inn.
Breakfast is included as part of the visitor's stay. The meal starts at 9 am in the ground floor dining room and is prepared by one of the owners, Damon, who Amanda says has become known for the quality of the meals. Breakfast usually consists of an egg dish, another protein dish, fresh fruit or yogurt, and a coffee cake or other baked good. Amanda notes that patrons can preview the menu for breakfast in the kitchen. Damon can make accommodations for those with special dietary needs or allergies. Guests are asked to provide that information before their stay, however, the owners can also be informed during the visitor's check-in process.
Amanda says they strive to make the house "comfortable and relaxing” for guests during their stay. To help create this environment, they typically welcome guests with homemade cookies upon arrival. Amanda notes that they also explain the amenities and the house routine during the check-in and ensure they review any needed dietary information for breakfast. They also provide written information explaining the amenities and processes to each patron in case they cannot reach the owners after designated office hours.
A previous guest of the Jackson House Bed and Breakfast left a review talking about their experience: "The house was adorable, clean, and well maintained. They were so nice and accommodating, always available, but very unobtrusive. It's in a charming small town with hiking nearby and a beautiful drive in any direction." Another past visitor said, "The innkeepers are so nice. We stayed in The Cottage, and we loved the screened-in porch. The room was very clean."
The Jackson House Bed and Breakfast has policies the owners wish for each of their guests to follow during their stay. There is no smoking inside any building; however, people can smoke outside on the patios and front porch. Pets are not allowed. Amanda says the home is generally meant for couples and people 18 years and older; special permission may be given to children.
The Jackson House Bed and Breakfast operates year-round, and one owner of the company says that the busiest time for them is when the weather is considered "nicer,” generally between May and October. Also, availability may vary if the property needs maintenance; the owners may block out a period to perform said maintenance. Amanda, one of the owners, says that she attributes the success of the establishment to their "location and cooking" and the other "businesses and communities" around them.
Multiple attractions and activities are available to people in the area around the Jackson House Bed and Breakfast. Amanda says the town of Railroad is around a block in size, and many of the places people can visit will require driving, such as Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Baltimore, and Hershey. The Jackson House is located on the Heritage Rail Trail, which is a 21-mile-long trail stretching from the city of York to the Maryland border, where it links up to the Torrey C. Brown Trail. Bicycle enthusiasts reportedly come from all over to bike the trail. The Northern Central Railway, a scenic train, operates on historic rail lines that run adjacent to the Rail Trail. The main station is located in New Freedom, PA, which is 1.5 miles from the Jackson House.
If people want to go out to eat, Amanda recommends the Glenn Rock Mill Inn and Seven Sports Bar & Grill. There are also four new breweries in the area. The New Freedom Roasting Company and Deli, which provides the Jackson House’s custom blended coffee, is recommended for take-out lunches.
The main home used for the Jackson House Bed and Breakfast was built in 1859 as a 13-room Inn to support the rail lines. Amanda reports that the Inn was unique for its time as it offered hot and cold running water and steam heat. The old cistern that provided the building with water is still located at the top of the hill behind the house. The rail line adjacent to the B&B is the line that Abraham Lincoln rode to deliver the Gettysburg Address. The parlor contains the original dumbwaiter from the Inn, and the owners have an original guest ledger from 1904 – 1911 in the office.
Amanda says that the home has operated in different capacities over the years. Some of the building’s previous incarnations include a boarding house, apartments, and a private residence. Another aspect of the property's history was that the Cottage used to operate as the town's icehouse.
Before purchasing the Jackson House Bed and Breakfast, Amanda and Damon had stayed at different hotels and bed and breakfasts during their business travels. From their experiences, Amanda says it became her dream to own a bed and breakfast. Having looked for the right property for a number of years, they found the Jackson House Bed and Breakfast and decided to make an offer on the house. One property owner attributes the reasons why they chose the Jackson House: The house put them back on the east coast and closer to family, the property was offered turn-key, and it had a built-in customer base due to its being adjacent to the Rail Trail.
Amanda said that the previous owners, when renovating the building into the B&B, kept the exterior appearance similar to the initially constructed style while converting the inside into a functioning B&B. Amanda and Damon have continued to upgrade the property. including installing a new hot tub, replacing the roof, replacing all of the mattresses, and adding adjustable bed frames. Future plans for the house include renovating the bathrooms and restoring the gardens while continuing to maintain and improve the property.
6 E. Main Street
Railroad, Pennsylvania 17355
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Amanda and Damon
