Enjoy yourself and relax in one of Winner's most prestigious, luxurious homes. Originally the Read House was built in 1914 and has recently been renovated. The Read House includes five bedrooms, a formal greeting room, dining areas, living room, game room, and a private backyard. 

The Read House is located in Winner, South Dakota. This south central, South Dakota town is located along the Oyate Trail. This area is in the heart of pheasant hunting country. The historic Read House is furnished with many fine antiques, and is located within walking distance to the downtown Winner area. 

History of the Read House Bed and Breakfast and how it came to be!

In 1909, a young man from Ames, Iowa named Russell Read came to Tripp County for the opening of homesteads. While he was visiting, he unwillingly registered for a homestead. As luck would have it, he drew one. Russell built a small house in the country on his homestead even though he desired to be in town. He also purchased a lot on Main Street, where the Peacock Bar is now located. As was done so many years ago, the agreement was written on a wooden shingle from the building next door. He soon opened an establishment with a cigar shop in the front area of the building. Behind the scenes were billiards, bowling, cards, gambling and slot machines. It was said on the first day of business, he opened the door and threw the keys as far as he could vowing the door would never be closed and it didn’t for thirty years!

As time went on, the Great Depression set in and the establishment was then turned into a café. Russell Read met Frank Leahy Sr. and his son Frank Jr. Mr. Leahy moved a home into Winner on property that is now the location of the “Read House Bed and Breakfast.” Frank Jr., was a young man who was curious with matches. One evening the barn on the back of the lot went up in flames along with a team of mules. Russell had a soft spot for the athletic minded young Leahy, so he made Frank Jr. the batboy for Russ’ Champion Baseball team in 1923. This Winner team played in the semi-pro Sunshine League in eastern South Dakota.

The Depression had businesses everywhere at a standstill. Russell met a classy, hard working lady named Mable Koester. They married in November 1930. The Reads purchased the lot of land that young Frank Leahy Jr. had burned. With times so hard, they moved back to the homestead to try their luck at raising turkeys. They knew they could survive with Russell’s knowledge and Mable’s work ethic. Times were dark and dingy. Drought was upon them. Grasshoppers stripped cornfields in a day. Fences looked like ropes. Black blizzards carried away the top soil and cattle died from dust pneumonia. The Reads had little equity left in their land or business.

Finally, the rains came and Prohibition ended. The Reads moved back to their lot in town to pick up the pieces. They re-opened the café, dance hall and pool hall. The businesses grew so quickly they could barely keep pace. The café alone employed over 30 people. They also opened an ice cream shop and bowling alley. A large nightclub with headliner entertainment, known as the Peacock, was also opened. Times were good and the historical Read House, built in l914, began its journey becoming one of Winner’s most prestigious homes.

In recent years, the entire home was renovated. Today, it is a luxurious Bed and Breakfast with 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 2 fireplaces, a formal greeting room, dining area, living room, game room with beer and wine services, and a large fenced in back yard. The renovation of the Read House embodies elegance and taste along with many fine antiques.

The Read House Bed and Breakfast is located just blocks away from the still famous Peacock Bar. Also nearby is Leahy Bowl, one of the most beautiful baseball diamonds in South Dakota. Leahy Bowl was named after Frank Leahy Jr., who became one of the greatest football coaches for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.