HISTORY

The story of our historic bed and breakfast begins with the influential Schollenberger family, pioneers in Wichita’s early automotive and cultural history. In 1900, brothers Morris and George Schollenberger opened The Wichita Automobile Company, the first gasoline-powered automobile dealership in Kansas. Their younger brother, Harvey Schollenberger, joined the business in 1904. Together, the brothers helped shape Wichita’s growing automobile industry by also opening an auto repair shop in 1902 and the city’s very first gasoline station in 1908.

The Schollenberger family’s impact on Wichita extended beyond automobiles. Harvey’s wife, Maude Schollenberger, is credited with founding the city’s first art school, The Wichita Art Association, helping establish a lasting appreciation for the arts within the community.

Morris and Pearl Schollenberger owned the home until 1926, when it was deeded to Citizens State Bank. In 1931, the bank transferred ownership to the Fammie & Floyd Brown Life Insurance Company. Two years later, in 1933, the insurance company sold the home to Fred J. Friess, who then deeded the property to his daughter, Mary Friess, in 1934.

Mary Friess later married Dr. Fridolin Good, and together they raised seven children — four girls and three boys — within these walls. During those years, Dr. Good operated his chiropractic practice from the front room of the home, which had been converted into his examination room. The house became not only a family home, but also a place of healing and service to the Wichita community.

In 1979, Mary Good established a revocable trust. After her passing in 1990, ownership of the home transferred in 1991 to Frederick and Bernice Stavniak, the son and daughter of Dr. Fridolin and Mary Good. Over time, ownership appears to have been shared among several of the Good children. The home remained in the Good family until the final family member owner, their daughter Edna Good.

The home itself sits on three city lots, which were the last vacant lots on the block when purchased in 1908. Many of the surrounding homes in the Delano neighborhood were built between 1900 and 1910, with very few predating the turn of the 20th century.

One especially unique historical detail is that the property was consistently deeded to a woman throughout much of its history — something highly uncommon during the early 1900s. This remarkable legacy adds yet another layer of character and significance to our beloved historic home.

 

 

Harvey George Morris

Prior to opening their automobile dealership in 1900, the brothers owned the Schollenberger & Co. which repaired bicycles at 235 N. Main, in Wichita, Ks.

In 2005, Brent and Becky Miller purchased the home from St. Joseph Church, which had inherited the property through the will of Edna Good. With a deep appreciation for the home’s history and character, the Millers immediately began an extensive restoration project to return the house to its original 1914 beauty.

Over the next ten months, countless hours of careful restoration work transformed the home while preserving its historic integrity. Fortunately, very little had been altered during the previous 96 years, but there was still an enormous amount of work required to faithfully restore the home to its original early 20th-century appearance.

Among the most challenging projects was the removal of five to six layers of old wallpaper throughout the home, followed by the resurfacing of the original plaster walls. The 1950s-era drop-down acoustic tile ceilings were removed and replaced with drywall more appropriate to the period. The kitchen was completely gutted and redesigned with custom-built cabinetry carefully crafted to reflect the style and craftsmanship of the 1910–1920 era.

These restorations are only part of the story. Much more work and attention to detail went into bringing this beautiful historic home back to life. Many of the restoration projects and discoveries along the way were documented on Becky’s blog: Kansas Bungalow Blog


Following the Christmas season of 2017, Keith and Sherri Skupa began searching for a historic home in Wichita that reflected their love for older homes and timeless character. After raising their children in Valley Center and watching them graduate and move on, the couple felt drawn back to Wichita and dreamed of owning a home filled with history, charm, and personality.

In February 2018, on an especially cold winter day, they toured what is now the Delano Bed & Breakfast. From the moment they stepped inside, they were captivated by the home’s beautiful original woodwork and the thoughtful renovations that made the house immediately livable. Although owning and operating a bed and breakfast had never been part of their original plan, they quickly realized the home offered something truly special. Confident in their hospitality skills and willingness to work hard, they embraced the opportunity despite knowing it would require balancing full-time jobs, caring for the home, and maintaining the extensive gardens.

Keith and Sherri officially signed the paperwork and moved into the home on March 23, 2018. That first spring was especially busy as they began caring for the gardens and tackling improvement projects throughout the property. One of their first major changes was removing the existing front yard fence and replacing it with the charming white picket fence that now warmly welcomes guests.

While some furnishings came with the home, the Skupas gradually replaced pieces to better reflect their own style and vision for the bed and breakfast. The large yard, filled with mature trees and a wide variety of plants, created both beauty and challenges, especially for growing sun-loving flowers. In the backyard, Sherri transformed a small greenhouse into the Garden Tea Room — a peaceful retreat where guests can relax, read, or simply enjoy the quiet beauty of the gardens. A lovely flagstone patio with tables and chairs was added outside the Tea Room, creating another inviting gathering space for guests.

Keith further enhanced the garden area by building a pergola beside the Garden Tea Room, adding both charm and function to the outdoor space. Over the years, the couple has continued investing their time, creativity, and care into restoring and improving the property.

Among the many updates they have completed are:

  • Professionally sanding and staining all of the home’s original hardwood floors to restore their natural beauty. This extensive project required closing the B&B for a full month and moving every piece of furniture out of the home, but the results were well worth the effort.
  • Restoring the original tile floors in the Schollenberger bathroom through professional regrouting and sealing, preserving the historic charm while refreshing the space.
  • Having the bathtub professionally repainted and resealed, while also sourcing a larger antique-style corner sink to enhance the room’s appearance.
  • Adding new antique-style beds, upgraded mattresses, and carefully selected furnishings throughout the bedrooms and parlor.
  • Repainting several interior rooms, with plans to incorporate period-style wallpaper accents to further complement the home’s historic character.
  • Continually updating the front porch, including repainting the wicker furniture white and changing decorative pillows seasonally and for holidays to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

More recently, the Skupas have continued improving both the home and guest experience. The kitchen received a fresh update with newly painted cabinets and walls while preserving the home’s original yellow-and-white color palette. The terracotta tile countertops were replaced with granite, providing both durability and a beautiful contrast to the historic cabinetry.

The gardens remain an ongoing labor of love, with new projects and improvements always in progress. Sherri especially enjoys continuing to shape the outdoor spaces into peaceful gardens for guests to enjoy throughout every season.

Today, Keith and Sherri continue to share their love of hospitality, history, and community through the Delano Bed & Breakfast — welcoming guests not just into a business, but into the home and gardens they lovingly care for every day.


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