The Good Ole Days at the Grady House
Hidden History Behind the High Springs Bed and Breakfast
An unknowing passer-by might be fooled by the quaint character of the two historical buildings that make up The Grady House Bed & Breakfast. If the walls could talk, they would reveal more than 125 years of the history, politics and scandal deeply rooted in the City of High Springs.
Not only has the business served as host to several celebrities, including director James Cameron, actress Brooke Langton and documentary film maker Eric Bendick, but both homes were also residences to two female High Springs mayors. Juanita Easterlin was the first female mayor of High Springs and lived in the Easterlin house during her two-year term from 1956–57. Georgan Grady Roberts, who served from 1990–91, spent her early years in the Grady House when it was still a private residence. Georgan’s father, George Grady, also lived in the home and served as Vice-Mayor from 1952–53.
The Easterlin House, a.k.a “Skeet’s Cottage”
Built in 1896, the Victorian style Easterlin House was the first house built on the “Rock Road”, a nickname given to First Avenue because it was constructed with fist-sized rocks. Juanita “Skeet” Easterlin was born in the home on July 28, 1910, to merchant parents George W. and Ada Easterlin, who took up residence there in 1898. She lived there until her death in 1997.
Juanita was said to be a pants-wearing maverick that no one dared cross. She owned a café and gas station, known as “Skeet’s Corner”, which was located on the southeast corner of Route 27 and Main Street, where the Great Outdoors restaurant and patio currently operates.
“The rumor is that you could get your gas in the front and your moonshine in the back,” said Sara Miller, current owner of the Grady House, referencing Easterlin’s involvement in a moonshine ring. During her second term as mayor, Juanita was arrested by the FBI in a big splash of controversy and served 18 months for bootlegging.
Today, the entire two-story Easterlin House is rented as one unit, so guests can enjoy the private home rental which includes a kitchen, parlor, dining area, additional sitting room, two bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Historical photos that tell the story of Juanita can be found throughout the home, as well as some hidden cat statues in the garden, which are in memoriam to the 35 cats she was known to keep.
The Grady House
The heart of the Bed & Breakfast, the Grady House, was originally the site of the Nisi Bakery prior to 1900. H. L. Grady acquired the property from Charles Nisi, making it his family home. A second floor was added in 1917.
It was converted into a boarding house for railway workers in what was a bustling train city at the time. Later known as both the Grady Apartments and Hester Apartments, it also served as apartments for a short time.
In 1990, Ed and Diane Shupe bought the Grady House and turned it into the bed and breakfast known today. The Easterlin home was added in 1997, upon request of Juanita. Both wonderfully charismatic buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
With such a rich history, the Grady House is often a hot topic for debate among supernatural believers and non-believers. On the second floor, at the end of the hall, sits a wooden chessboard. Previous owner Kirk Eppenstein said, “I noticed that (chess) pieces kept being tinkered with in a particular way.”
The Gainesville Sun reported in 2001 that his first thought was a guest was responsible, but he continued to see the same pattern repeat itself – even when guests were not present. Additionally, there are many stories told by past guests of friendly female ghosts which infrequently appear in certain rooms.
The Bed and Breakfast Today
The business has known several owners, each one embracing the history and keeping the homes open for all guests to travel through. Current owners, Sara and Scott Miller, cherish the Grady House and thrive on serving guests from all over the world. They played host to over 2,580 guests in 2022 from as far away as Germany, France and Switzerland. They are predicting a 22 percent increase in the number of stays for 2023.
“I took a chance that shifting my career focus from therapy to hospitality would be something that could fulfill my heart,” Sara said. “To my surprise, I found my purpose in serving others with a cheerful spirit and making them happy through the art of beautiful food. Challenging myself to deliver a first-class product and provide the highest level of hospitality fuels me, and the smiles I witness each day fill my soul up.”
To serve the local community, Sara hosts an immaculate reservation-only brunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for up to 24 guests. Sit in one of the two dining rooms or enjoy the fresh air in the large garden, followed by a tour of the beautiful property.
For information, visit Gradyhousebnb.com.