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We are Bill and Stacy Bryant and we're looking forward to welcoming you to our
home, The Briar Wreath Inn.
After 20 years of living around the world, we have settled in Prescott, AZ. Our homes have been in Saudi Arabia, Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi, Afghanistan, Sudan, and Phoenix, AZ. We are originally from Michigan and California.
Since we've decided to put our overseas living behind us, we realize that we miss all of the wonderful people that we met along the way. What better way for us to bring a variety of people back into our lives than to invite you into our home and our lovely Inn.
Please come and visit, be comfortable in any of our four bedrooms, (all with bath). Relax and enjoy our beautiful City of Prescott with so much to do. "Everybody's Hometown."
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History of The Briar Wreath Inn
The Briar Wreath Inn is located in historical Prescott, AZ. It is the classical
example of a "Craftsman's Bungalow". The Inn was built in 1904 by Frank
Foster, the president of a prosperous local lumber yard of the time. He
later became the first Ford Motor agent in Arizona, selling Model T's from his
carriage house. Mr. Foster built this home for his wife Artie and his daughter,
Blanche.
Naturally, with Mr. Foster's background in lumber, he made extensive use of
wood in the boxed-beamed ceilings, oak hardwoood floors and paneling. The leaded
glass windows and the exterior and interior wood is all original and has made this home
charming and inviting.
The Briar Wreath Inn was the only home on "Whipple Hill." The Foster family
owned the property down to Goodwin Street, and little-by-little sold off the land. The
home sits on the property looking north--the only home on Arizona Avenue that faces this
way. They had a magnificent view of Gurley Street and the town below.
The Foster's had a rather large family. Frank Foster went to high school here in Prescott;
in fact, there is a photo in Sharlot Hall of him playing football for the high school team.
We are not sure of Mr. Foster's whereabouts today, but we do know that Mrs. Foster lived in
this home for approximately 60 years until age 100. She passed away in Sun City, Arizona
at the age of 103. Their daughter Blanche moved across the street in a small white
craftsman bungalow after her marriage. Little else is known about Blanche.
As mentioned in the profile above, the current owners since
August 2007 are Bill and Stacy Bryant.
The previous owners were Terry Fowler and Fred Munch. After purchasing The Briar
Wreath Inn in 1999, Fred remodeled the downstairs level of the innkeeper's quarters and
added another bathroom which freed up a fourth room (now named The Nautical Suite.)
The sixth owners were Dick and Greta Varish. Dick and Greta purchased the Inn in
1997 and improved the grounds by fencing in the entire property and by adding the
beautiful decking and Jacuzzi.
The fifth owners, Bill and Colleen Neuman, purchased the home in 1994. The Neumans saw the
potential of the home and decided to transform it into a Bed and Breakfast. Colleen is a
professional interior designer who had received recognition from Country Inns Magazine
and Waverly Fabrics Co. for her tasteful decorating of this beautiful home, which has
been preserved ever since. Bill Neuman landscaped the front yard with a lovely Koi pond,
beautiful large lawn, and many beautiful flowers.
Joela and Claire Willey were the fourth owners. They had several children and lived here
for 14 years. We believe they're the ones who built the tree house. They also added onto the
house in the back, the part of the home where the innkeepers always stayed until it was
transformed into the Victoria Suite in 2000 by Fred and Terry.
Prior owners include a contractor (1978 to 1980), and the president of Prescott College
(1976 to 1978.)
Quotes from our guestbook . . .
May 7, 2008
"Thank you for a very fun stay! Your home is beautiful and such warm hospitality."
Jackie and Larry
May 5, 2008
"Thank you for the great time. We felt like we were home and we can't wait to come back."
Joe and Danielle
May 5, 2008
"Your home is beautiful! Thanks for having us."
Evelyn and Gretchen
April 24, 2008
"Came here for the marathon and discovered a great B-n-B! thank you!!"
Kennen, Minu and Anya"
March 26, 2008
"Slept great! We love your home! Took pictures."
Norm and Laura
October 13, 2007
"Beautiful home with very friendly and warm welcoming not to mention the
delicious breakfasts! This place makes a difference! Thanks for everything!"
Erik Bystrom
Sweden
October 12, 2007
"Beautiful home with lots of love. Thank you for the great experience."
Nathan and Renee Haase
Queen Creek, AZ
October 12, 2007
"A warm, relaxing, friendly, welcoming home for a night. Thank you for a wonderful experience."
Bill and Courtney O'Brien
Phoenix, AZ
October 6, 2007
"Much More than I expected! One of the most quaint and room bed and breakfasts I
have ever stayed in! Loved it!"
Dick and Becky Kolomitz
Winslow, AZ
September 29, 2007
"This is the most 'warm', welcoming house and host/hostess--whether guest,
friend or stranger. The ambiance is unrivaled! so glad I have met Stacy and Bill."
Warmly,
Lavada
Prescott, AZ
September 26, 2007
"As a hostess of a B&B in Phoenix, this was an interesting visit. Stacy my hostess,
was and is unmatched in warmth and hospitality. As for sleep comfort and lovely
breakfast, a five star hotel may not be able to surpass. My traveling companion
is in total agreement and we'll be back."
Avis Baransky
Phoenix, AZ
September 16, 2007
"We had a wonderfully fun and relaxing time celebrating our 1st Wedding Anniversary!
Thank you so much."
Malcolm and Lynda
Glendale, AZ
September 4, 2007
"Thank you for sharing your beautiful home. We relaxed, enjoyed good conversation,
good food, having such friendly "hosts". It was a true delight. We will be back to see all
of the new changes. In the cold, snowy weather with hot cocoa and marshmallows!"
Emily and Rick McWaters
Goodyear, AZ
August 31, 2007
"Our best B&B experience ever! You two are off to a grand start…keep it up!
We'll be back. Promise"
Chelsea and Robert,
Australia and Scotland
"This was a most wonderful rest and escape from my busy schedule. It
is obvious you love what you are doing. That you'll be most successful I have no doubt! It
won't be difficult to write your story."
Sincerely,
Barbara Floyd, Editor
The Country Register
"Serindipity? Absolutely! The fates were smiling on us to lead us to The Briar Wreath
Inn. We enjoyed the warmth of your hospitality and your very lovely home. Here's many good
wishes for your continued success. With affectionate thanks and appreciation..."
Lynette & Bob McCormick
"'Tomorrow you again may roam, but while you're here, just feel at home'. And I
really did...Maybe it really wasn't by chance that I picked this B&B. Thank you!"
Matthias Steiner
A traveling student from Germany
"Labor Day's purpose is to relax from one's ordinary "labors". Your B&B
is the epitomy of relaxation! The tasteful decor, the cozy bed, the scrumptous food, and
gracious hospitality! What a wonderful get-away."
Therese & Stephen Lawlow
"We're so glad we found the Briar Wreath Inn. This was our most special anniversary ever!
Positively romantic. When we arrived we were all wound up from the drudgery of the rat race,
but just minutes after stepping into the beautiful skylit living room we were completely
relaxed. We knew right away that we were in for a special treat. The champagne and shrimp
hors d'oeuvres on the front lawn set the mood for a beautiful weekend. Nice touch!
Thanks for your wonderful hospitality."
Sincerely,
Greg & Patty Dutton
Also see what local and state press say about the Briar Wreath Inn:
1. Terri Blicharz,
"Three Prescott B&B's Are Cozy Nooks of Nostalgia,"
The Arizona Republic, 8 September 2002, T1 (Travel section), Sunday Edition
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