History of story
This area of the state now appropriately called Indiana was opened to European settlement on September 30, 1809, upon the consummation of a treaty between Governor William Henry Harrison and the Miami Indians. The so-called “Ten O’clock Treaty” opened three million acres to settlement, the boundary being a line running from Raccoon Creek on the Wabash River near Montezuma to Seymour, marked by a shadow cast at 10:00 a.m. each September 30. That line passed right through the heart of what would become the town of Story. Today, that line is denoted by a carved limestone monument in the center of Story’s village green.
The village of Story itself was founded in 1851, with the grant of a land patent from President Millard Fillmore to Dr. George Story. This original land patent is on display at the Story Inn®. Dr. Story was a medical doctor who hailed from a clan of timber harvesters in southern Ohio. He and his progeny built many of the structures which distinguish this town today, from the then-ample supply of domestic hardwoods. His home managed to survive the forces of entropy, and now serves as an overnight accommodation.
Story soon became the largest settlement in the area. In its heyday (1880-1929) the village supported two general stores, a nondenominational church, a one-room schoolhouse, a grain mill, a sawmill, a slaughterhouse, a blacksmith’s forge and a post office.
Story never recovered from the Great Depression (1929-1933), as families abandoned farms in search of work elsewhere. Brown County lost half of its population between 1930 and 1940. This exodus of people created an opportunity for the State of Indiana to begin the purchase of 16,000 acres of wooded hills that are now the Brown County State Park, the largest in the state. As years passed, thousands of additional acres were acquired to form the Hoosier National Forest, Yellowwood State Forest and the Lake Monroe impoundment lands. These vast tracts of public lands now surround Story on three sides.
Our team
Jackie Wilkerson - Gardener Extraordinaire
Jackie Wilkerson - Gardener Extraordinaire
Jackie Wilkerson - Gardener Extraordinaire
Jackie loves the outdoors, rain or shine, and found her home in the Story gardens in 2012. She's responsible for meticulously maintaining all of our ever expanding culinary gardens that produce everything from heirloom tomatoes to micro greens, as well as the towns multiple wildflower gardens.
Matthew Gordon - Wine Director
Jackie Wilkerson - Gardener Extraordinaire
Jackie Wilkerson - Gardener Extraordinaire
Matt brings 15 years in the wine and spirits trade to Story in his role as wine director. A lifetime resident of nearby Columbus, he takes great pleasure in the power and nuance of his wares and applying them toward the highest possible level of of his guests' delight.
Doug Talley - Executive Chef
Rich Hofstetter - Improprietor
Rich Hofstetter - Improprietor
From the time he was a chubby little boy Douglas was enamored with food and food science. Coming from a family steeped in the traditions of Southern cooking it was practically destined he would serve in a kitchen at some capacity. As a young man Douglas worked his way through the local and regional haunts studying under Chefs from The Cul
From the time he was a chubby little boy Douglas was enamored with food and food science. Coming from a family steeped in the traditions of Southern cooking it was practically destined he would serve in a kitchen at some capacity. As a young man Douglas worked his way through the local and regional haunts studying under Chefs from The Culinary Institute of America, Johnson & Wales and more classically trained Chefs. He sharpened his skills knowing one day an opportunity would present itself allowing him to put them all to good use. Now as a grown man Douglas has landed a position in his own backyard, here at Story. Drawn in by the energetic vibe of the town and the immaculate Culinary Gardens Douglas utilizes his many years of experience intertwined with his knowledge of the local customer base to create elegant yet approachable items for all of the different seasonal menus available here at Story. When asked what, if anything, he’d like to remind you of here in his bio he simply replied, “Never trust a skinny Chef...”
Thanks Chef Douglas. We’ll try to remember that.
Rich Hofstetter - Improprietor
Rich Hofstetter - Improprietor
Rich Hofstetter - Improprietor
Rich learned nearly every position growing up at Story. He received his degree in economics from Butler University and later earned an MBA. Rich honed his business and project management skills managing accounting and software development before his return to Story.
While he follows his father's passion for historic preservation, Rich a
Rich learned nearly every position growing up at Story. He received his degree in economics from Butler University and later earned an MBA. Rich honed his business and project management skills managing accounting and software development before his return to Story.
While he follows his father's passion for historic preservation, Rich also understands the incredible opportunity to develop a sustainable business model. His primary commitment is to improve and build upon the current foundation.