'Dining is a feature at Prospect Hotel'

Reprint from the Upper Rogue Independent - August 30, 2005

August 30, 2005

By Nancy Leonard
Upper Rogue Independent

"Seeing all the magnificent trees makes my heart skip a beat every morning," said Karen Wickman, half owner of the Historic Prospect Hotel. The other half of the partnership is her husband, Fred. The Wickman's purchased the hotel, motel and surrounding landscape earlier this year from Jo and Mike Turner, but until about two weeks ago, Karen was still working in the bay area as a registered nurse.

Many have heard of the Prospect Hotel and its history as a resting stop for former presidents. Its guest rooms are mindful of some of those well known people. But beyond that, the Prospect Hotel is a fine dining establishment. "Our guests tell us we have some of the finest prime rib they've tasted," said Fred. "Our grilled rib eye with a special pepper mixture is also quite a hit," said Fred. "We pride ourselves in quality while remaining cost conscious."

The dining room is currently open seven evenings a week, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Come wintertime, the Wickmans will focus dining efforts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, except Thanksgiving. The Wickmans encourage people to take a drive to Prospect, see the beauty of the area, and then stop by the hotel and dining room.

The Wickmans have been booking groups as well as retreats and look forward to expanding that business within the next couple of years. Their property includes what used to be a service station next door to the hotel. The Wickmans want to turn that into a facility where businesses can hold company meetings or groups can come, spend the night and hold their meetings or training sessions. At the same time, the owners realize when the folks think going to a bed and breakfast in the mountains where the air is crisp and clean and where there are no crowds is ideal, children don't necessarily agree. Therefore, the Wickmans want to have a big screen TV and game tables, which can readily be moved, for the younger crowd.

The Wickmans have three children, two sons and a daughter, ages 19, 17 and 13.

For dining, lodging or retreat information, call 560-3664.