Richard Spanton Jr is featured on Bob Vila

Copperstone Inn | Richard Spanton Jr (Built 1858 Est. 2008)
By: Richard Spanton Jr

Copperstone Inn in November 2007 (entire home is natural local limestone)
Restoring an 1850’s limestone home and adding 7000 SF www.copperstoneinn.com

Our project started in July, 2006 with an old Limestone Farm house built in 1858 with an addition from early 20th century. My wife and I embarked on a journey of hard work, learning and patience. Of course my wife will tell you that I have absolutely no patience but am the hardest worker she knows. I think I have gained an understanding of patience now though. As you follow the project, you will understand. There is so much to go over, so if your interested, be patient and hang on for the ride.

We will start out from the beginning and a little story about us. My wife and I have this dream of living on a farm and raising our yet to be born children. We are in our early 30’s and own a construction company. We decided to buy a home and a 60 acre parcel of property in my hometown Rockton, IL in 2005. Our original goal was to have an apple orchard and pumpkin patch along with raising alpaca and horses. This is still a main priority but was sidetracked due to the Inn project. So after being in our house for about a month, I realized there was this quaint yet masculine Limestone home next door. While driving by the home one day in Dec 2005, I said to my wife, ” You know if that ever sells, we have to buy it”. The next week there was a sign in the yard “For Sale by Owner”. It was fate, but the problem was that I was saying that for 5 years down the road. Well, not to lose out on an opportunity we bought the place So at this point, we owned 2 homes within 500 feet of eachother and had to come up with an idea of what to do. Well, I wanted to restore the old home no matter what. I have always loved the old Limestone solid structures of the 19th century and before. Our town Rockton has probably 100 homes and businesses. So my wife says, “What now?” I said, “I don’t know, lets build a Bed and Breakfast, to go along with our Apple Orchard”. Time lapse 2 years and we are here, in the 4th quarter as I say. We are almost finished with the project and cannot wait until it is done. We hope to be done by April, 2008 and open this Summer once landscaping is done. Enough rambling, lets get to the project.

Thanks for your interest.

Richard Spanton Jr.
Owner

Rock Valley Publishing Article on Richard Spanton Jr & Copperstone Inn

http://copperstoneinn.com/awards-reviews_rockvalley.html

Richard Spanton Jr Richard Spanton Rockton, Illinois 61072

About Richard Spanton Jr

Richard Spanton Jr was born in Beloit, WI. Richard Spanton Jr grew up playing ice hockey for the Beloit Blades and the Madison Capitols. “I played hockey since I was 3 and football in high school. I am also married to the most incredible woman, Chrissie Spanton, plus I own my own national construction company called Mastercraft Exteriors”, Richard Spanton Jr

Richard Spanton Jr and his wife Chrissie built the most luxurious Bed & Breakfast, Copperstone Inn to be part of their future plans of having a working apple orchard and pumpkin patch at their farm, Orchard Ridge Farms…[more]

Richard Spanton Jr was born in Beloit, WI. Richard Spanton Jr grew up playing ice hockey for the Beloit Blades and the Madison Capitols. “I played hockey since I was 3 and football in high school. I am also married to the most incredible woman, Chrissie Spanton, plus I own my own national construction company called Mastercraft Exteriors”, Richard Spanton Jr

Richard Spanton Jr and his wife Chrissie built the most luxurious Bed & Breakfast, Copperstone Inn to be part of their future plans of having a working apple orchard and pumpkin patch at their farm, Orchard Ridge Farms. Richard Spanton Jr also owns an elk farm with his father, GBM Elk Farm.

Richard Spanton Jr does not rest and is completely dedicated to everything he puts his mind to.

Richard Spanton Jr entrepreneurship and leadership skills began at a very young age. Richard Spanton Jr would plant pumpkins in the summer and sell them on the side of the road in the fall. He now grows pumpkins at his farm in Rockton, IL completely organically.

Richard Spanton Jr. owns and operates a successful roofing, siding and gutters company, Mastercraft Exteriors, but having one flourishing business is not enough for such an ambitious man. One of the other “projects” that Richard Spanton Jr. works on is Golden Bear Monarchs Elk Farm, which was established in 2003. Richard Spanton Jr. . runs this elk farm together with his father Richard Spanton Sr. and his mother Saundra Spanton. Richard Spanton Jr wife, Chrissie Spanton, also plays a crucial role with this and the other business ventures he is involved in.

The elk that belong to Richard Spanton Jr. and his family’s elk farm are able to roam across 180 acres of lush pasture in beautiful Southern Wisconsin. Richard Spanton Jr., Richard Spanton Sr. and Saundra Spanton have grown herds of 9 to 90 elk with the addition of numerous world class genetics over the last five years. This has enabled the Golden Bear Monarchs Elk Farm to receive 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th place awards in various hard antler classes at the annual NAEBA international antler competition. This is a great source of pride for Richard Spanton Jr. and his family.

The experience that Richard Spanton Jr. has amassed since childhood has prepared him well for this project, since his family has raised pigs, cattle and grain for several generations. And Richard Spanton Jr., Chrissie Spanton, Richard Spanton Sr. and Saundra Spanton are not the only ones who have had a hand in this business – it’s a true multigenerational family affair. Even grandpa Dave Spanton helps with the farm on a daily basis and Richard’s brother Matt Spanton lends a hand with seasonal projects such as cutting antler, calving, and building fences.

Other projects that Richard Spanton Jr. works on include his own Orchard Ridge Farms and his soon to be completed Copperstone Inn, both of which are adjacent to he and wife Chrissie’s property. And he still manages to be successful with everything he touches, even with his hands in so many projects.

The Copperstone Inn is primarily a project of Richard Spanton Jr. and his wife Chrissie, since the bed and breakfast lies only 500 yards away from their home in Rockton, Illinois. Richard Spanton Jr. is all about family business, though, so his mother Saundra Spanton will be aiding in the day to day operations management of the inn as soon as the finishing touches on the renovations are complete. Family business is nothing new to Richard Spanton Jr., as he helps run an elk farm in Wisconsin with his father Richard Spanton Sr., his mother Saundra, his brother Matt and his grandfather Dave.

Saundra Spanton will be assisting Richard Spanton Jr. and Chrissie Spanton in one of the most important aspects of running this bed and breakfast – creative inspiration for the food. Since Richard Spanton Jr. believes that his mother is one of the best cooks he has ever witnessed in his life, he jumped at the chance to hand the responsibility of Saundra’s Cookery over to his mom. This will allow her to share some of her magic with the people who come to the bed and breakfast. Richard Spanton Jr. couldn’t be prouder.

Richard Spanton Jr and Mom Work Together at Bed and Breakfast

The Copperstone Inn is primarily a project of Richard Spanton Jr. and his wife Chrissie, since the bed and breakfast lies only 500 yards away from their home in Rockton, Illinois. Richard Spanton Jr. is all about family business, though, so his mother Saundra Spanton will be aiding in the day to day operations management of the inn as soon as the finishing touches on the renovations are complete. Family business is nothing new to Richard Spanton Jr., as he helps run an elk farm in Wisconsin with his father Richard Spanton Sr., his mother Saundra, his brother Matt and his grandfather Dave.

Saundra Spanton will be assisting Richard Spanton Jr. and Chrissie Spanton in one of the most important aspects of running this bed and breakfast – creative inspiration for the food. Since Richard Spanton Jr. believes that his mother is one of the best cooks he has ever witnessed in his life, he jumped at the chance to hand the responsibility of Saundra’s Cookery over to his mom. This will allow her to share some of her magic with the people who come to the bed and breakfast. Richard Spanton Jr. couldn’t be prouder.

Saundra’s Cookery will utilize her knowledge of baking that comes from her mother and her Norwegian decent. Richard Spanton Jr. is looking forward to providing his guests with many delicious dishes thanks to his mother’s recipes. From her famous scrambled eggs and homemade waffles to succulent pastries, cookies and pies, Saundra will give visitors quite a treat. And since Richard Spanton Jr. and his wife Chrissie own and operate their own apple orchard, Saundra’s Dutch Apple Pie will be as fresh and succulent as possible.

Richard Spanton Jr., Chrissie Spanton and Saundra Spanton hope you will enjoy a stay at Copperstone Inn someday if your find yourself in Rockton. The fall pumpkin picking season is a great time to visit, by the way.

Richard Spanton Jr and Chrissie Spanton Opening Copperstone Inn Fall 2008

Richard Spanton Jr and Wife Chrissie Take 2 1/2 Years to Renovate 1858 Home, Copperstone InnThe Copperstone Inn is primarily a project of Richard Spanton Jr and his wife Chrissie, since the bed and breakfast lies only 500 yards away from their home in Rockton, Illinois. Richard Spanton Jr is all about family business, though, so his mother Saundra Spanton will be aiding in the day to day operations management of the inn as soon as the finishing touches on the renovations are complete. Family business is nothing new to Richard Spanton Jr, as he helps run an elk farm in Wisconsin with his father Richard Spanton Sr., his mother Saundra, his brother Matt and his grandfather Dave. Rich Spanton Jr also runs a national construction company with his two cousins, brother, his wife Chrissie and more.

Richard Spanton Jr and Chrissie Spanton began the renovation project in the summer of 2006.  This renovation has taken so long because of all of the custom work inside the home.  From the copper ceiling, limestone walls, slate tile in all bathrooms, 7 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms, to the beautiful limestone fireplace and grill outside.  They spared no expense with this historic renovation.

Rich’s mom Saundra will be doing most of the cooking for Copperstone Inn.  Saundra’s Cookery will utilize her knowledge of baking that comes from her mother and her Norwegian decent. Richard Spanton Jr is looking forward to providing his guests with many delicious dishes thanks to his mother’s recipes. From her famous scrambled eggs and homemade waffles to succulent pastries, cookies and pies, Saundra will give visitors quite a treat. And since Richard Spanton Jr and his wife Chrissie own and operate their own apple orchard, Saundra’s Dutch Apple Pie will be as fresh and succulent as possible.

Richard Spanton Jr, Chrissie Spanton and Saundra Spanton hope you will enjoy a stay at Copperstone Inn someday if your find yourself in Rockton. The fall pumpkin picking season is a great time to visit, by the way.  Copperstone Inn is set to open to the public before Thanksgiving 2008!

Richard Spanton Jr

GBM Elk Farm

Golden Bear Monarchs Elk Farm-Established 2003

Our elk reside on 180 acres of lush pasture in beautiful, Southern Wisconsin. Since 2003, we have grown from 9 to 90 elk, adding several world class genetics to our herd. As a result, GBM Elk Farm has won from 1st to 5th place in several hard antler classes at the annual NAEBA international antler competition. Our farming heritage spans several generations consisting of raising pigs, cattle and grain. I along with my Mother and Father Richard & Saundra Spanton and my wife Chrissie, own and operate GBM Elk Farm. My Grandpa Dave, helps with the farm on a daily basis and Matt Spanton, my brother, lends a hand with seasonal projects such as, cutting antler, calving, and building fence. We are a family driven and motivated farm. Our goals are to continue the process of creating greater genetics in our elk herd. We also encourage and promote the elk farming industry.
-Richard Spanton Jr.
www.gbmelk.com

Our Luxury Bed and Breakfast in IL.

Grand Opening: Summer 2008

Owner and proprietors: Richard Spanton Jr. and wife Chrissie Spanton

Amenities include: 4 rooms with Jacuzzi tubs for two, King beds, Double Vertical Spa showers, Flat Screens in each room, Dish Network each room, Mini spa, Bar/Game room, etc. etc.

Theme of rooms: Western Room, 1850’s Barn Room, 1850’s Limestone Room, Victorian Room, Walnut Room, Apple Cider Room and Wine Cellar room.

The original home was built in 1858 giving us an exact Grand Opening of 150 years. The addition will be finished this spring. The total home is now over 8000 SF respectively. At Copperstone Inn, you will find lush decor with the comfortable feel of home. The furnishings will be antique or period specific. There was no expense spared in the creation of Richard and Chrissie Spanton’s dream.

Saundra Spanton, Richard Spanton Jr.’s mother will be aiding in the day to day operations management. After being one of the best cooks in the Spanton’s eyes, Saundra is hoping to share some of her magic with the public. Saundra’s knowledge of baking comes from her Mother and Norwegian decent. You will find all things delicious at Copperstone Inn. From her famous scrambled eggs and homemade waffles to succulent pastres, cookies and pies. Wait to try the Dutch Apple Pie from apples grown in our orchard. If the rooms at Copperstone Inn won’t keep you coming back, the pie should do the trick!

We hope you will enjoy a stay at Copperstone Inn someday. You will love it! – Richard Spanton Jr.

www.copperstoneinn.com