If you’re thinking of taking a drive to Colfax some lazy Saturday afternoon, here’s a destination idea for you — the Rose Mountain Manor on Plutes Way.
This house has a story to tell. A little more than eight years ago in 2000, owner Barbara Bowers had a vision and left a successful corporate career in shopping center marketing. She bought the Victorian-style home and started the Rose Mountain Manor Bed, Breakfast & Tea Room.
Over the years Bowers built the business and entertained guests from across the United States and several foreign countries.
The most often-heard remark by visitors was about the beauty of the area and the serenity and peace that enveloped the property.
As deer grazed around the ample acreage guests were served tea in the parlor by the bay window, or enjoyed breakfast in the garden gazebo. A quarter-mile walking path was created around the perimeter of the property for visitors to enjoy a quiet walk in the woods.
The custom, Victorian-style home was built in 1982 by a local couple — Arnold and Ardith Solis — who were antique dealers and owner/operators of the Mexican Villa Restaurant.
They had an eye for detail and the 2,600-square-foot home features many special touches, including crown molding, tin ceilings in the living room and kitchen, stained glass windows and a old Majestic Stove in the large country kitchen.
With just a little imagination you can visualize the old-fashioned stove all fired up, the morning aromas of fresh-ground hot coffee, bacon and eggs, or maybe some baking soda biscuits and gravy.
Peek outside the back window and you’ll see a lush garden with purple wisteria climbing up one of the pines.
You’ll also see a charming 400-square-foot victorian-style gazebo that’s large enough to seat 20 guests — the perfect setting for a local ladies club’s afternoon game of Whist.
Venture a little further to the cute-as-a-button 900-square-foot guest quarters just atop the detached four-car garage.
Departing a bit from a vintage 1920-era home, each of the manor’s three bedrooms is large and has its own bath. Plus, the home has energy savers such as dual-pane windows, a whole-house fan and a central vac system. Along with those appliances we all take for granted now, there is a dishwasher, a garbage disposal and a built-in electric oven.
Bowers has retired now, and so goes the bed and breakfast. Today, the home is just known as the Rose Mountain Manor. She’s on the market, waiting for new owners, and a new vision.
The Home Page runs occasionally in Gold Country Homes. Cecelia Palmer is a Realtor with Century 21 Auburn Realty in Old Town Auburn. She can be reached at (530) 886-4327.
