The Osage Inn

The Osage Inn welcomes children, but asks that they be well supervised. There is no television at the Inn, so it is an excellent time to talk, listen and play games with your child/children. The grounds are very spacious with lots of wonderful fields, meadows and woods to explore. Children age 8 and under stay free.

• Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site - site of the last farm of Abe Lincoln's parents,
  portrays the year 1845 with its Living History Program
• Amish Area - north of Charleston, near Arthur & Arcola
• Eastern Illinois University in Charleston - cultural & sporting events
• Several excellent golf courses
• Lake Shelbyville - boating & fishing
• Fox Ridge State Park - south of Charleston, great trails & picnicking
• Walnut Point State Park - within 30 minute drive, fishing, picnicking, beautiful trails
• Antiquing - the Innkeeper is also an antique dealer

The Osage Inn invites you back to a simpler time and place. Nestled on 50 acres of peaceful woodlands, meadows, and fields between Charleston and Mattoon, The Osage Inn offers the perfect home away from home when visiting the area. The Inn is a restored Civil War era hewn log house originally built approximately 150 years ago near the Osage River in south central Missouri. Innkeepers, Diane and Gary Cole, purchased the house in 1998 shortly before it was scheduled to be demolished. Diane and Gary dismantled the house and brought it back to a lovely meadow and woods setting near their home in central Illinois.

The absence of television has been appreciated by guests who find that they totally relax and have wonderful conversations with each other. Upstairs an old table is set up with a checkerboard, and numerous board games, cards, crayons, toys, old books, and a CD player and radio are furnished for our guests' enjoyment. Delectable home baked breads and pastries are provided for your breakfast at The Osage Inn.

Sit and relax on the rustic front porch in antique rockers or try out the old porch swing at sunset. Tucked into the far corner of the meadow under the big, old hickory tree is an arbor just perfect for that glass of wine at sunset or a morning mug of steaming coffee. Wander out to the arbor any time of the day or evening where a comfortable table and chairs await your visit. Watch the deer as they wander out into the meadow edge to feed. Delight in the sight of hawks soaring above the old log house or the sound of the Great Horned Owl calling from the trees. Explore the woods and revel in the native Illinois flora. Play softball in the meadow, throw a frisbee, or try your luck on the old stilts.