MATAGORDA, TEXAS, USA -- History buffs can combine their passion for the past with their lodgings when visiting coastal Texas's Matagorda County. The county's oldest home, the Stanley-Fisher house has been meticulously and lovingly restored to its former glory and now operates as a charming bed and breakfast Inn.

When first built in 1832 by Samuel Rhoades Fisher, a compatriot of Stephen Austin, the house sat on a prime piece of real estate fronted by the Matagorda Bay. Today that landscape has evolved to proximity to the intercoastal waterway, but little inside the house would look different to its residents of yesteryear.

It wasn't always so. Before current owners Peggy and Rik Stanley bought the 4000 square foot home, it had fallen into disrepair. Even before renovation could begin in 2003, Hurricane Claudette knocked the Stanley-Fisher house off its piers. No matter. The Stanley's had it re-leveled and continued their exhaustive restoration plans which kept a crew of nine working full time for eight months.

Along the way Rik and Peggy took pains to preserve original elements and materials as much as they could. "We recycled everything we could right down to the doors and handles," says Peggy.

The result is a breathtaking renovation that still retains architectural details of the past such as square cup window and door frames, tongue-in-groove paneling, and hand-milled decorative features. Of course, the Stanleys also added modern conveniences like central air and heating to their antique home, as well as extensively renovated the plumbing and electrical systems.

With so much old world style and craftsmanship mixed with modern convenience, it's no wonder that some of the home's former residents have had trouble leaving. Like many houses with this much life left behind, the Stanley-Fisher House houses a resident ghost or two.

Peggy and Rik have never seen anything themselves, but family members have. Rik's dad awoke from a nap in the house one afternoon to see a little girl standing beside him. Thinking it was one of his granddaughter's friends, he asked her what her name was what she was doing there. She calmly replied that her name was Katie and she liked being there because he was such a nice man. Of course no such "friend" exists.

Before Rik and Peggy started their extensive renovations, Rik's sister in law went to the living room to check on her sleeping daughter only to find the specter of a man standing over the bed watching her. She got so freaked out she had an exorcism on the house to rid it of its spirits. (A neighbor of the Stanleys who owns a house of similar age to the Stanley-Fisher House claims they all went over to his place, says Rik.)

Rik Stanley admits that while he hasn't personally seen a ghost, he has had a strange and inexplicable experience in the house. During renovations he was sleeping in the downstairs bedroom, mere inches from the large glass paned window. Several times during the night Rik was awakened by someone rapping loudly on the window. Upon looking out, he could see nothing. The next day he went to investigate outside and discovered an odd detail that his sleepy mind had missed. How could anyone be rapping on the window when the outside of it was completely covered with a screen?

The incident has not repeated itself and Rik and Peggy say that none of their guests have ever experienced any strange happenings. But…you never know.

Ghosts or no ghosts, the Stanley-Fisher House is one of Matagorda County's finest lodging options. Rooms are comfortable and filled with gorgeous antiques. Breakfasts in the dining room are hearty and delicious. For those who like more privacy than the typical B&B experience, Rik and Peggy are happy to provide breakfast baskets delivered to the room.

Practicalities

The Stanley Fisher House Bed & Breakfast, an official Texas State Historical site, is located at 107 St. Mary's St. in Matagorda, Texas. Call 979-863-2920 or click to www.stanley-fisher.com for more information or reservations.

For general information about planning a visit to Matagorda County, Texas, click on www.visitmatagorda.com or contact the Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation at 979-245-8913.

Cheri Sicard, in addition to being the editor of FabulousTravel.com and its sister site, Fabulous Foods.com is the author of The Great American Handbook: What You Can Do For Your Country Today and Every Day and The Low Carb Restaurant Guide, and the co-author of US Citizenship for Dummies. To learn more about Cheri, click here.