Historic Rising Sun hotel is the perfect “staycation”

(RISING SUN, Ind.) – The Empire House Historic Hotel in Rising Sun is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway that is close to home. 

The hotel was built in 1816 and overlooks the Ohio River while being within walking distance of the downtown area and just one mile from Rising Star Casino. 

When you enter one of the rooms, it doesn’t feel like your typical hotel. 

“It’s almost like staying at grandma’s house,” owner Marsha Louden said. 

Each room is individually-decorated and there are two suites that have multiple bedrooms, which is ideal for families or large groups. 

It comes with all the amenities you would find in any nice hotel, and Louden prides herself on keeping prices affordable. 

The nightly rates for single rooms are $65 and the two suites can be booked for as low as $150 . 

There is only one full-time worker at the hotel which happens to be Louden herself. 

“This isn’t big enough to have a full-time housekeeper so I usually have some high school kids that come over here on Sundays to help me clean,” she explained. 

Louden enjoys getting to know some of those who stay one night or become repeat customers. It’s easy to get to know the clients since she lives in an apartment on the property.

Her journey to Rising Sun is pretty unique.

She was born and raised in Michigan and was hoping to become a school teacher. 

In 1973, she applied for several teaching jobs in Michigan and also applied for a kindergarten position with Rising Sun.

After receiving her application, former Rising Sun Superintendent John Roeder hopped on a plane to Detroit. 

“We conducted the job interview right there in the airport and he decided to hire me. I remember telling mom and dad that I was moving to a town called Rising Sun, Indiana,” she laughed. 

Louden arrived in Ohio County a week later and would go on to have a 33-year teaching career at the elementary school. 

When she reached her 30th year of teaching she started thinking about the next chapter in life. 

“I had some friends that were entrepreneurs and I had them look into the hotel. With my boys being grown and the apartment attached to the property, I figured I would go for it and take ownership of the hotel,” she recalled. 

Louden took over the hotel before the internet and cell phones were widely used. 

“When I bought it, the only way people found this little gem was word of mouth,” she recalled. 

She listed the hotel on Expedia in 2009 and said that has helped get the word out.

“I know the internet comes with some negativity, but it saved this hotel,” she added. 

Louden has now been in Rising Sun for more than a half-century and there is nowhere else she’d rather be. 

“I’ve been here for 50 years and this community supports me and loves me, and I take care of them and they take care of me,” she said.

You can book a stay at the Empire House Historic Hotel on South Front Street by clicking here.