The Ruths lived in this beautiful home for about twelve years before leaving De Smet. In 1989, Larry and Connie Cheney purchased and restored the home as a bed and breakfast, The Prairie House Manor, where they have provided a wonderful place for Laura tourists to stay while in De Smet for nearly twenty years.

Last summer, the Prairie House came under new ownership. Andy and Jenny Todd and their four children left their home in Marlton, New Jersey, to come to De Smet, South Dakota, to run the Prairie House.

“It has always been my dream to own a bed and breakfast in a historical town,” Jenny Todd explains. “When our family visited De Smet in July 2007, we loved the slow pace and small town feeling. We knew that De Smet would be a great place for our kids to finish growing up.”

The Todd family spent several months in contemplation and prayer before making such a life-changing decision, and then they took a family vote. “It was unanimous to move to De Smet!”

Those who have visited and loved the Prairie House in the past need not fear — the Todds have maintained the same traditions established by the Cheneys and are wonderful hosts with a contagious enthusiasm for their new venture.  And if you haven’t visited before, you should.  Not only will you be treated to a comfortable stay in an updated historic home once owned by a Little House character, but you will enjoy socializing with other Laura fans on the front porch in the evenings, or over a delightful breakfast served by your hosts.

And if you have children, they will be told the story from Little House in the Big Woods of Christmas breakfast, where Ma made the children pancake men, and then be treated to a pancake man of their very own!

The Todds have really enjoyed their first year as bed and breakfast owners. Their favorite part is meeting so many different people.  “We have had guests from Denmark, Ireland, Italy, England, Canada, France, and, of course, all over the United States.  We’ve even had a few guests from South Jersey where we are from,” Jenny adds. “But we all have one thing in common — our love for everything Laura.”

The Prairie House slept some very special guests last September, as Melissa Gilbert, Kevin Massey, Kara Lindsay, and Jenn Gambatese (cast members from the “Little House on the Prairie” musical) unexpectedly appeared on their doorstep looking for a place to spend the night.  “It was exciting not just for us, but for the whole town.”

We highly recommend a stay at the Prairie House to enhance your visit to the “Little Town on the Prairie” and gladly welcome Andy and Jenny Todd into the Little House community.  Learn more about the Prairie House or reserve a room at their web site.