The town of Gratiot's Grove no longer exists here in Wisconsin. Founded before Wisconsin was even a territory, the town was near modern-day Shullsburg. It was named for Col. Henry Gratiot, who came to the area to mine lead. Gratiot's Grove would grow to be a town of more than 1,000, but when the lead dried up, so did the town. But what's left in this area that was part of the Michigan Territory when Col. Gratiot first arrived is a gorgeous limestone house that's the second-oldest home in all of Wisconsin. Built in 1835, this stunning Georgian limestone mansion had fallen into disrepair by the 2010s. But the current owners undertook a massive, six-year renovation project to restore this stunning and historical home and turned it into a bed and breakfast so others can experience its charm.

The Gratiot Farm House was built in 1835 and has been occupied in one way or another ever since. In the past few years, it's been extensively restored and renovated to return the home to its former glory.

Wanting to understand the history, researchers from UW-Platteville have taken samples of the wood beams to help date the building. Limestone dating back to the 1850s was used to help patch up the outside. The building is as authentically restored as the owners could manage.

It's so authentic that the walls are not insulated, so the bed and breakfast is open three seasons for guests' comfort. The owners did do more modern renovations on the part of the house they'll be using, but wanted to keep the bed and breakfast as authentic as possible.

A visit to Gratiot House Bed and Breakfast is a true step back in time to a much simpler life. Life is a bit slower in this part of the state, but you'll find tons of shops, breweries, wineries, restaurants and more to keep you entertained. Located close to the tourist area near Galena, IL, Gratiot House offers an inexpensive alternative in a historical location.

You'll fall in love with the simple, elegant details in this historic home. The bed and breakfast has remained faithful to the simple way of life that existed when the house was built while ensuring guests have every amenity they need to have a wonderful experience.

There are a variety of farm animals that rule the roost here, from grazing sheep to chickens providing fresh eggs.

And honestly, the historic house is an amazing draw, but when you see the pictures of the stellar food coming out of the kitchen here, you'll want to come just for the meals.

From pickling vegetables and canning peaches to creating and jarring lemon curd, there's always something special happening in the kitchen here where they take the fruits of their land and ensure they can enjoy it for months to come. Gratiot House is truly a special place. Moving to a bit of the middle of nowhere, the owners lived in a tent during part of the building renovation. This was a labor of love and you can see - and taste - that love in everything they do.

Gratiot House Bed and Breakfast is located at 20950 Rennick Rd., Shullsburg, WI 53586. Learn more about this historic location and book a reservation right from their website here. Check out more pictures, including renovation pics and all the drool-worthy food on their Facebook page here.

Have you stayed at this historic and delightful Wisconsin bed and breakfast? Let us know about it in the comments!

Do you love staying in historic Wisconsin homes? Check out this list of historic bed and breakfasts and start planning your next getaway!