In front of you, you’ll see a grand red-brick house with a tall corner tower, plenty of fancy trim, and a wraparound porch-just look for the pointy turret and green columns, it’s pretty hard to miss!
Welcome to the John N. Bensen House, where every brick has a story! Imagine it’s 1904-horses clop by, ladies in big hats chat on the porch, and the aroma of fresh bread is drifting out the windows. John Bensen, who arrived in St. Cloud all the way from Germany in 1872, built this impressive home after becoming a grocery kingpin, mayor, and even a bank president. As you gaze at those Queen Anne towers and gingerbread details, picture turn-of-the-century parties and serious business meetings happening under these very eaves. Believe it or not, this house once set the gold standard for fancy architecture in town-so much so, it’s on the National Register of Historic Places. Over the years, the Bensen House has welcomed guests from all walks of life-today, it’s the Heritage House Bed & Breakfast, proving that you don’t have to be a bank president to stay here anymore. Now, if you hear a door gently creak, don’t worry-it’s just the house welcoming its next storyteller!
