A Family Tradition

By CHERIL VERNON
The Palestine Herald

September 17, 2007 03:49 pm

— Jeremy Wagner can remember staying in Bailey’s Bunkhouse as a child during family reunions and celebrations. So the thought of it possibly not staying in the family tore him apart.
The rustic bunk house was built in 1973 on a shoe-string budget by his grandfather Bobby Bailey and great-uncle Billy Bailey. The bunk house was used as a bed and breakfast starting in the 1990s.
“They became a lot older and it became harder to keep up with it. They were considering selling it,” Wagner said. “I didn’t want that to happen. This place has always held a special place in my heart and I didn’t want to let it go. We had lots of family reunions, get-togethers and birthday celebrations here.”
Wagner and his wife, Christine, are now reopening Bailey’s Bunkhouse, which includes a 1,100 square foot loft and downstairs area that features two bedrooms, 1-1/2 bath, full kitchen and full utilities. The loft also has additional sleeping space, making the total number it sleeps 12.
A Naval Intelligence Officer on 30-day leave, Wagner has spent the last month renovating the bunk house.
“We had to do a lot of renovation,” Wagner said. “We worked day and night because we’ve been pressed for time.”
Though 77 years old, Wagner’s grandfather became the foreman, helping his grandson every day with the renovating work that needed to be done.
“The family really chipped in to get everything done,” Wagner said.
Wagner’s wife, mother Brenda Wagner and grandmother Carlene Bailey worked on decorating the inside, while his brother Brent Wagner and father Troy Wagner did the electrical renovating.
“We added a new bed and linens. We found furniture at garage sales,” Christine Wagner said. “We were able to use about half of the things that were already here.”
The wagon wheel furniture that has been in the bunk house was full remodeled, and a new deck was added to the outside area.
The 18.6 acres surrounding Bailey’s Bunkhouse includes a pond for fishing that is currently being renovated.
“I plan on adding a playground, volleyball net and other additions,” Wagner said. “I’m considering building a dance hall on the back pasture.”
In the loft area, a kid’s lounge area also is set up which features a baby bed, kids area and toys.
But their main goal with reopening Bailey’s Bunkhouse is to carry on the family tradition of get-togethers.
“We want to give people a retreat. It doesn’t have to be just one couple. You can bring the whole family if you choose,” Wagner said. “It’s not a bed and breakfast because we don’t serve breakfast. But the full kitchen is available to those who stay here.”
In addition, Bailey’s Bunkhouse will accept pets.
“We have dogs ourselves, and we know how hard it is to try to find a place for them to stay while traveling,” Christine Wagner said.
The bunk house is a country retreat from the outside world.
“It’s really peaceful out here. It’s nice to hear the sound of birds chirping and coyotes howling at night,” Wagner said. “It’s a get-away from the fast-paced life.”
The Wagners have already started booking reservations for the bunk house and will rent it to out-of-town business people when it’s not booked.
“The business has really done well in the past,” Wagner said.
Wagner will return to Damn Neck, Va. to do aviation intelligence for the Navy. He has been in the Navy for five years and married almost three years.
“Our daughter, Layla Grace, is nine months old. She’s part of the reason I wanted to do this. I spent time here as a kid and I want her to have those same memories,” Wagner said.
The Wagners live in Buda, south of Austin, but will be commuting to Palestine. Christine Wagner will be in charge of reservations and management.

Bailey’s Bunkhouse History
When Bobby Bailey and Bailey began building the bunk house in 1973, they were living in a 21-foot travel trailer. The idea was to build a place that would provide shelter for their kids and grandkids when they came to visit. It took more than five years to build.
After living in it for a short time, the brothers decided to build their own homes and to use the bunk house for family get-togethers, and later as a bed and breakfast.
“We built it out of crate lumber that is used to ship tinted glass for high rise buildings,” Bobby Bailey said.
The cost of building it? Less than $5,000.
“They build everything themselves with things they found for free or got as gifts,” Wagner said.
The front door is made with red wood, built around tinted glass. One of the kitchen cabinet drawers was made from an old mailbox like the post office used to use. Other drawers were made from apple and orange crates. A chandelier that hangs in the kitchen is made from red lanterns.
In 1996, part of the crew from the “Rough Riders” movie featuring Tom Berenger and Sam Elliott stayed at Bailey’s Bunkhouse from Sept. 14 through Oct. 14 while the movie was being filmed at the Texas State Railroad Park.
“They brought in 120 horses. They pulled in with 18 wheelers and set up a portable corral by the barn,” Bobby Bailey said. “They had tents set up all over and ran it like a boot camp. Twelve of the wranglers stayed in the bunk house because they had to get up at 4 and 5 a.m. in the morning to take care of the horses.”

Reservations
Bailey’s Bunkhouse is located at 4701 ACR 441 off of FM 321, eight miles north of Palestine. A Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting was held Friday.
For reservations, call 559-362-5873 or 512-312-9440.

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