Audubon Inn Property Description

The Audubon Inn, celebrating our 112th anniversary, acquires its name from the French-American ornithologist, John James Audubon, who is noted for over 400 remarkable, scientifically accurate, bird paintings. The Horicon Marsh, just west of the city of Mayville, is one of Americas top natural tourist attractions. This 32,000 acre refuge attracts thousands each year who come to enjoy hiking, biking, archeology, outstanding hunting and fishing, as well as watching over 260 species of birds which migrate through or reside on the marsh and surrounding area. During the peak seasons the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimate that upwards of one million Canada geese pass through the Horicon Marsh on their southern migration. Originally operated as The Beaumont Hotel, the structure is an example of Queen Anne architecture in a historical block. The three-story brick building is decorated with elaborate pressed metal cornices and bays. At the corner of the building is a polygonal domed cupola that rises from a corner bay. The hotel was constructed in 1896 by Jacob Mueller, editor of the Dodge County Pioneer, one of the important German language newspapers for southeastern Wisconsin. The weekly newspaper continues to operate today as The Mayville News. The Beaumont Hotel became a showplace of the area offering 30 hotel rooms, a confectionery shop, barber shop, several taverns, bakery and restaurant. The towns first post office and radio station were located on the second floor. A horse drawn jitney bus provided passengers services from the Mayville train station to the hotel. The hotel lobby was popular with huge leather chairs and rocking chairs set along the windows. People would gather to play checkers and cards, and tell stories. Many people made their home at the Beaumont. The hotel was extensively renovated and updated with elevator, including the return of the handsome turret on the exterior and declared a National Historic Landmark and one of the oldest.