Fuchs House

Show on map 573-341-5488 cserolla@gmail.com

Rt 1 Box 144B
Wiliamsville, MO 63967

Overview

In the late 1930s, Rudolph Fuchs built a five bedroom concrete and native stone house for his family, and also built the present wheel house to produce electricity for his needs. Power was obtained by building a dam in a semi-circle below a large spring forming a small pond. The water was to pour through a chute on the wheel to produce electricity; however, electricity arrived to the site before the wheel ever needed to do its job. The area had an undershot wheel providing power to a grist mill in the late 19th century.

Recreation

The Black River boasts bass, sunfish, walleye and catfish. Many anglers fish from boats, but others fish from the riverbanks. Canoeing and kayaking is also possible on the river. Various day hikes within the Markham Springs Trail System are accessible from the campground. Eagle Bluff Trail is a one and a half mile loop along the river, where birding and wildlife viewing are favorite pastimes. The day use area has a two-acre, 20 foot deep mill pond that dates back to the 1800s, several picnic sites, open fields; river access for boating, fishing and float tubes and canoes; and short hiking trails that provide views of the river, the pond, the springs and the uplands.

Facilities

The house has two downstairs bedrooms with queen beds, a single bed and a shared bathroom. Upstairs has a bathroom and three bedrooms each with a bunk bed and twin bed. The kitchen comes fully furnished as well as all the other rooms; however, you must bring your own linens, pillows and towels.

Natural Features

Located adjacent to the Black River, the recreation area contains a small pond that dates back to the 1800s. The area is covered by a dense forest of colorful trees, including ash, elm, maple and poplar. Six springs pour almost five million gallons of water per day into the pond, and the bubble spring, a smaller outlet of Markham Spring outside of the pond that has air with it which rises in the soft sand forming unique air bubbles.

Nearby Attractions

The Fuchs House is located in the Markham Springs Recreation Area. Camping with both electric sites and primitive sites, day use, and pavilion rental is available. The town of Williamsville is three miles from the Fuchs House and offers a general store ad fuel station.

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

Water hookups: all 1 sites
Pets allowed: all 1 sites
Largest party: 15 people

Fees

Fuchs House is available for the following prices: Sunday- $125/night Monday- $125/night Tuesday- $125/night Wednesday- $100/night Thursday- $125/night Friday- $200/night Saturday- $200/night Weekend- $400/weekend Weekly Rate- $975/full week

Directions

From Poplar Bluff, take Highway 67 north for 14 miles, then drive west on Highway 49 for 9 miles (about 3 miles past the town of Williamsville). Take the first right after crossing the Black River to enter Markham Springs Recreation Area. The drive way to the Fuchs House will be the first Forest Road on the left.

Stay Limit

Check in from 3 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

28 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

Kristen D

Loop:Fuchs House

Site:

Reviewed 22 days ago

Very frustrated they didn’t have an emergency number because when we got there the bathroom and bedroom and front room on the first floors were completely flooded in standing water. It was Sunday evening and we could not get ahold of anyone with the numbers from the emails or the emergency numbers in the house. However, they did come out the next day and helped us finish cleaning everything up. Other than that, everything was great. Bring linens, towels, and paper goods and trash bags, shower products, dish soap. House was rustic but clean and stocked well enough for cooking and building a fire, etc. great walking trails and fishing areas all within walking distance from the house. Small stores and towns nearby for groceries and such. You don’t need a separate parking pass for staying at the house. Some beds are king and some are queen or full sized and some kids beds are twins. Plenty of bedrooms and two bathrooms, 1 shower, I bathtub, beautiful fireplace you can use, kitchen in basic good shape with appliances like coffee maker, keurig, toaster, waffle maker, fridge and freezer, oven, microwave. The kids and us had an awesome time and a ton of fun. It’s beautiful and peaceful and everything was perfect minus the minor flood at the beginning. Definitely better than camping in a tent on the ground!

Rhonda M

Loop:Fuchs House

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

My family and I enjoyed our stay. We relaxed, enjoyed the trail behind the house and the lake. The house was clean and kitchen fully furnished. As stated in previous reviews the beds are 2 king, 2 queen and 5 twin. There is a fire pit as well as a grill. The kitchen table seated 6 but a larger table would take up to much room. We used some of the extra chairs for more seats and I preferred the extra seating in the living area. Overall great weekend and we plan to go back!

Amber Z

Loop:Fuchs House

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

The location is beautiful. The house needs some major cleaning and updates. There was not near enough information provided about the house upon reservation. I called before reserving and was told it is just like a hotel. It absolutely is not like a hotel. You are to clean up like its your home, which was fine but its nice to know beforehand. I had to call and get details for check in and how to access the house. I received the email giving me these details ELEVEN days AFTER the reservation. Things you need to know: Work at the house is done by volunteers. The website says there is a queen bed, it is actually a king. You're told to bring your own linens but you really are supposed to bring your own linens, towels, trash bags, paper towels, toilet paper, etc. There are dishes and cookware available. Some teas and pantry staples have been left over from others. Website says check out is at 12. Reservation reminders say 11. If you are bringing your family for an extended stay, be aware that most of the closets are a catch all and full of random items.

Jesse B

Loop:Fuchs House

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Unfortunately it's not easy to blend old with comfort, based on the smell and look of the furniture and home surfaces we decided we would rather sleep in our tents. Cool to walk through it is a very cool house but I would not recommend it as a place to stay the night in its current condition. Could be a beautiful place, if it were to be renovated with some whimsical imagination.

Cathy H

Loop:Fuchs House

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

Pros: If you are looking for privacy, this place is it. On top of that, there is a closet full of games and puzzles. Plenty of bakeware and dishes. Nice furniture. Cell service with Verizon. Big roomy covered porch. Cons: There is only one dining table that only sits 6 people. There are only 9 beds (plus a mattress that is in a junk room) two are king, 5 twin and 2 queen. This includes one bunk bed with no safety railing. There is only one blanket and it’s on one of the king beds. There is only one sofa instead of the two shown in photos. There are two round tables that have been tossed into the garage and appear to be in bad shape. The cleaning lady tried to boot us out at 11 instead of the listed check out time of noon and she was extremely rude to my family and called my daughter names. She left me a nasty voicemail because we were still there before checkout.

Heather B

Loop:Fuchs House

Site:

Reviewed 5 months ago

The property is large, and there is a lot of space. However, it is quite rustic, so be prepared for that. Inside and outside of the house, there were a lot of bugs. Also, the house would benefit from cleaning. It does not appear as though it has had any type of thorough cleaning in the recent past. This could be a really great place with better upkeep and general maintenance.

Availability

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