Charley Creek Inn is a restored 1920s boutique hotel and event destination located at 111 West Market Street in the historic downtown core of Wabash, Indiana. Originally opened on March 15, 1920, as the Hotel Indiana—designed by Fort Wayne architect Charles R. Weatherhogg and built by the local Red Apple Inn Company—the three-story Brick Revival and Georgian Revival landmark was saved from demolition and meticulously restored through the philanthropic vision of Richard E. Ford before reopening as Charley Creek Inn in 2010. Named a Member of Historic Hotels of America, the 30-room property combines Roaring Twenties architectural elegance with contemporary four-star hospitality, drawing theatergoers, romantic weekenders, wedding parties, and corporate groups exploring northeast Indiana’s Wabash River valley.
What to Expect at Charley Creek Inn
Stepping through the West Market Street entrance into the Virginia Ford Mezzanine Lobby reveals the craftsmanship of the hotel’s 1920 origins: polished terrazzo floors, leaded-glass transoms, ornamental plaster moldings, crystal chandeliers, and period-inspired mahogany furnishings. Guest accommodations are divided into seven distinct categories—Queen Superior, King Superior, Double Queen Superior, King Junior Suite, Double Queen Junior Suite, Full Suite, and Deluxe Suite—each individually decorated with antique and reproduction furniture, custom draperies, flat-screen televisions, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, plush bathrobes, and upscale bath amenities. Suites add separate sitting parlors and expanded workspaces well suited for extended stays or pre-show relaxation before a concert at the Honeywell Center just two blocks away.
Beyond overnight accommodations, Charley Creek Inn anchors downtown Wabash’s culinary and social scene with four distinct on-site food and beverage concepts and a suite of tailored banquet spaces. Guests and local diners gather at Twenty for upscale American steaks, seafood, and seasonal Indiana produce, or slip into the Green Hat Lounge—named after composer Cole Porter’s 1924 musical—for classic prohibition-style cocktails and live piano music. Along the ground-floor retail storefront, the nostalgic Ice Cream & Candy Shoppe and the adjoining Wine & Cheese Bar welcome afternoon strolls, while seven versatile event rooms ranging from the open-air Courtyard to the Big Four Ballroom host weddings, board retreats, and gala receptions.
- Thirty Period-Restored Guest Rooms and Suites: Seven room tiers spanning Queen and King Superior rooms up to multi-room Full and Deluxe Suites outfitted with 1920s-era decor, marble-accented bathrooms, luxury linens, and modern connectivity.
- Twenty Restaurant & Green Hat Lounge: An airy fine-dining room serving regionally inspired lunches, dinners, and weekend brunches alongside an intimate cocktail lounge offering craft spirits, curated wines, and live music performances.
- Ice Cream & Candy Shoppe and Wine & Cheese Bar: Two street-level specialty shops featuring retro glass jars of nostalgic confections, hand-dipped ice cream cones, gourmet artisan cheeses, charcuterie, and boutique bottle selections.
- Seven Historic Event & Wedding Venues: Purpose-built gathering spaces including the Big Four Ballroom, The Courtyard, Cloud Club, The Gatsby Room, Richard E. Ford Dining Room, Virginia Ford Mezzanine Lobby, and Wabash Cannonball Room.
- Show & Romantic Getaway Packages: Curated overnight packages such as “Come for the Show, Stay for the Night,” designed specifically for patrons attending concerts and touring Broadway productions at the nearby Honeywell Center and Eagles Theatre.
Charley Creek Inn at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 111 W Market St, Wabash, IN 46992, United States |
| Neighborhood / Area | Downtown Wabash Historic District |
| Operating Hours | Hotel Front Desk: 24 hours daily; Check-in: 4:00 PM / Check-out: 11:00 AM |
| Admission / Price Range | $$$$ (Four-star boutique hotel; room rates and dining priced by season and room tier) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1 to 2 nights for overnight stays; 1.5 to 2.5 hours for dining at Twenty or the Green Hat Lounge |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Directly north of IN-15 and south of US-24; complimentary adjacent surface parking lot and street parking on West Market and Miami Streets |
| Official Website & Phone | charleycreekinn.com | +1 260-563-0111 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Because Charley Creek Inn has only 30 boutique rooms and suites, Friday and Saturday nights sell out weeks in advance whenever major recording artists or comedians headline the Honeywell Center. Reserve both your guest room and a dinner table at Twenty online via the official Charley Creek Inn website as soon as show tickets go on sale. Drivers arriving via U.S. Route 24 or Indiana State Road 15 will find dedicated surface parking behind and beside the hotel off Miami and Market Streets, along with convenient drop-off access directly in front of the main canopy on West Market Street. The property offers step-free entrance access, elevator service connecting all guest room floors and mezzanine event spaces, and ADA-accessible Superior rooms with roll-in showers and grab bars.
The hotel’s central position at the corner of West Market and Miami Streets puts downtown Wabash’s cultural landmarks within a five-minute walk. Directly across the street stands the restored 1906 Eagles Theatre, which screens first-run films and hosts intimate concerts, while two blocks north at 275 West Market Street sits the Honeywell Center, the region’s premier performing arts complex and home to the Clark Gallery. Three blocks east at 36 East Market Street, the Wabash County Museum chronicles the city’s 1880 distinction as the first electrically lighted city in the world, and nature lovers can drive three minutes northwest to stroll the waterfalls, stone bridges, and botanical paths of Charley Creek Gardens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the check-in hours and best times to book Charley Creek Inn?
Standard check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is at 11:00 AM, with the front desk and concierge staffed 24 hours a day. For weekend stays coinciding with Honeywell Center concerts, autumn foliage drives along the Wabash River, or summer wedding dates, booking 4 to 8 weeks ahead is recommended.
Do you need to be an overnight hotel guest to dine at Twenty or visit the shops?
No, all on-site dining and retail venues—including Twenty restaurant, the Green Hat Lounge, the Wine & Cheese Bar, and the Ice Cream & Candy Shoppe—are open to the general public as well as hotel guests. Dinner reservations are strongly encouraged for Twenty on Friday and Saturday evenings and prior to downtown theater performances.
How much time should travelers budget for a visit to Charley Creek Inn?
Overnight visitors typically spend one to two nights using the inn as a base for downtown Wabash theater shows, museum visits, and walking trails. Day visitors stopping by for a meal at Twenty, cocktails at the Green Hat Lounge, and a treat at the Ice Cream & Candy Shoppe should allow 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Is Charley Creek Inn accessible and suitable for families and private events?
Yes, the restored historic building includes step-free access, passenger elevators serving all floors, and ADA-compliant guest rooms and restrooms. Families appreciate the Double Queen Junior Suites and the street-level Ice Cream & Candy Shoppe, while wedding parties and corporate planners can book seven full-service banquet spaces accommodating intimate board dinners up to ballroom receptions.
When planning your Muncie travel guide or comparing verified hotels and wedding venue in Muncie, pair this stop with standout local spots including CASA, Red Dog Saloon, Best Western Plus Gas City, and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Marion, an IHG Hotel (28.2 km away).
