From Jailhouse to Guesthouse: How One Kentucky Airbnb Used a Historic Sanborn Map to Bring Its Past to Life
When it comes to decorating a historic business, downtown storefront, restaurant, or Airbnb, nothing adds more authenticity and conversation value than a piece of history tied directly to your building.
At Hometown History Maps, we’ve seen customers use Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps in creative ways — but few stories capture our mission better than this one from Sadieville, Kentucky.
A special thank-you to Paul, owner of the 1902 Jailhouse Inn, for sharing his story and helping us showcase how Hometown History Maps helps today’s business owners connect their spaces to the stories and history that built them!
The 1902 Jailhouse Inn – Sadieville, Kentucky
(Story shared by the owner, Paul)
I am the proud owner of the 1902 Jailhouse Inn, Sadieville, Kentucky. I am the third owner of this historic property. In 1901, this land was purchased by the City of Sadieville for $75. There had been a log jailhouse on the adjoining property that had burned down.
Sadieville was a bustling town in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was one of the main train stops between Lexington and Cincinnati, with hotels, saloons, stores, and a large stockyard. As time went on, the highway system was developed — first Highway 25, then Interstate 75 — both a few miles outside town. Over the years, Sadieville slowly faded from the map.
The jail built in 1902 served many purposes. It started as a jail, later housed the electric generator for the entire city, served as city hall and sheriff’s office, and eventually was abandoned and used for storage. 113 years after the city bought this land, they sold it in 2014. I am now the third proud owner since the city’s sale.
I purchased the property with the purpose of continuing the previous owner’s work of restoring the building and turning it into a short-term rental. I searched long and hard for any history of this building — photos, documents, stories — but there just didn’t seem to be any written history. However the residents of Sadieville all have stories passed down through time.
That’s why I nearly jumped through the ceiling while I was googling Sadieville history and came across HometownHistoryMaps.com! It was the only historical document I could find anywhere. There on the site was a map dated 1908 — a Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of the city describing all the buildings. And right there in red, it said 'JAIL’!
I excitedly told my wife, and we ordered it right away. These two maps of the city are now framed and hanging in the former city hall room — now the sleeping area of our Airbnb.
The process with Hometown History Maps was so smooth. I ordered straight from my phone; the website was easy to navigate, and when I reached out asking if they could find the second section of the map, they responded right away and located it within hours. I had the best experience ordering from this website and felt like they treated me like family. I’ve recommended Hometown History Maps to several citizens of Sadieville.
You can find our listing on Airbnb or VRBO. We’d love to host you — whether you stay in the city hall room or if you're adventurous you can sleep in one of the two cots in the original jail cell!
👉 Airbnb - Book a stay at the 1902 Jail House Inn
👉 VRBO - Book a stay at the 1902 Jail House Inn
Why This Story Matters
Stories like this are exactly why we do what we do. Each Sanborn Fire Insurance Map tells not only the story of a place but also the story of the people keeping that history alive today.
From city halls to jailhouses, breweries to bed-and-breakfasts — these old maps make perfect décor for historic businesses, offices, and restorations because they’re more than art; they’re artifacts.
If you’d like to see the same map that inspired some of the Jailhouse Inn’s décor, explore the Sadieville collection below 👇
🔗 Explore our Sadieville, Kentucky Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Collection
A Message from Hometown History Maps
Whether you’re restoring a century-old building or just want a meaningful conversation piece for your home or business, we’re here to help you find your town’s history — and hang it on your wall.
We’re proud to be part of stories like this and to help preserve local history, one map at a time.
And if you ever find yourself traveling through Kentucky, make sure to look up the historic 1902 Jailhouse Inn in Sadieville — a perfect example of how preserving history can also bring it back to life!
Happy History,
Mitch @ Hometown History Maps
Looking for your own town? Explore our full Kentucky collection — or browse all states here.
