The bell that once called students to class now greets visitors arriving at the School House in Rocheport. More than a century after it first opened as a school, the historic building continues welcoming guests, offering a stay rooted in Missouri history, hospitality, and small-town charm.
For Andy and Chandrika Hickman the School House wasn't part of a long-term business plan. It was a place they had loved for years.
"We've always loved Rocheport," Andy says. "The town feels like stepping back in time, and that's something that becomes more valuable every year."
After spending years traveling throughout the Midwest as a grocery broker and working in resort communities as a golf professional, Andy and Chandrika found themselves looking for a different pace of life. When the School House became available in 2020, it felt like the right opportunity at the right time.
The historic property, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has served as a bed and breakfast for more than 35 years. Long before that, it educated generations of local children.
Today, reminders of that history are everywhere.
Former students still stop by to share stories about attending school there. Some remember roller skating in what is now the breakfast room. Others recall being selected to ring the school bell at the end of the day, a task that once required pulling a massive rope hanging from the attic.
One former student told Andy how proud she felt the first time she was able to ring the bell without help from another child. That same bell now sits outside near the property's sign.
"We view ourselves more as caretakers than owners," Andy says.
It's a perspective that shapes everything they do, from preserving original details to sharing the building's stories with guests who walk through the doors today.
While history draws many visitors to the School House, it's the hospitality that often brings them back.
The School House serves as the Hickman's flagship property, offering spacious guest suites, comfortable gathering spaces, evening beer and wine service, and a full breakfast each morning.
Breakfast has become something of a tradition.
Everything is prepared from scratch and served in multiple courses, often beginning with a pastry and fruit course before the main entrée. Returning guests frequently ask about favorites like stuffed French toast and homemade scones.
For Andy, some of the best moments happen in the open kitchen while breakfast is being prepared.
"It's where conversations happen," he says. Guests share stories from the trail, ask for recommendations, and swap travel tips before heading out to explore Rocheport.
Beyond the School House, the Hickmans also operate the Dormitory House and Clark Street Lodge, allowing them to welcome a wide variety of travelers.
Cyclists traveling the Katy Trail often choose the Dormitory House for its convenient accommodations and early breakfast options. Families, friend groups, and retreat attendees frequently gather at Clark Street Lodge. Together, the three properties can accommodate everyone from solo travelers to larger groups.
The Katy Trail remains one of the area's biggest draws, and the Hickmans have embraced Rocheport's cycling culture with secure bike storage, repair tools, cleaning stations, air pumps, and e-bike rentals.
Andy especially enjoys introducing visitors to the stretch of trail between Rocheport and Jefferson City, often considered one of the most scenic sections of the entire Katy Trail.
Yet what makes Rocheport memorable extends beyond the trail.
Guests spend afternoons visiting wineries, browsing local shops, listening to live music, or enjoying dinner at locally owned restaurants before returning to a quieter pace of life. It's a rhythm that feels increasingly rare and one that Rocheport has worked hard to preserve.
That sense of community is one of the reasons visitors return year after year.
"Rocheport works because all of us work together," Andy says.
Local businesses, wineries, artists, restaurants, and lodging owners collaborate throughout the year to create events that bring visitors back season after season. Farmers markets, wine tastings, live music, historical programs, and the annual Wassail Walk each offer a different way to experience the town.
Some of the most meaningful moments happen behind the scenes.
Each year, the School House hosts a retreat for women undergoing or recovering from breast cancer treatment. Watching guests find friendship, encouragement, and support during a difficult season has become one of the most rewarding parts of ownership.
Looking ahead, the Hickmans are excited about new historical walking tours, improvements to the town museum, and the future connection between the Katy Trail and Rock Island Trail, which could create one of the country's most significant trail systems.
For now, however, their focus remains the same as it was when they first arrived: preserving a piece of Missouri history while helping visitors experience everything that makes Rocheport special.
School House Bed & Breakfast
504 3rd St
Rocheport, MO 65279
573-698-2022
"Hospitality happens around the table, and breakfast is often where some of the best conversations of the day take place."
"We view ourselves more as caretakers than owners. Every story shared by former students adds another layer to the building's history."