There are some houses that just feel like houses, and then there are houses that seem to have a personality all their own. The Strawberry House Bed & Breakfast at 805 N. Wheeler Street is one of the latter.
Built in 1910 by Albert and Ula Miles, the Dutch Colonial home has been part of Plant City’s story for more than a century. According to its newest owners, Talesha and Gary Grant, the property once stretched all the way to Alexander Street. The home remained in the Miles family for nearly 100 years, with the last public record of the property being transferred from Robert Miles to Guy and Brenda Ford in 2000.
Now, more than a century after the house was built, it seems to have found caretakers who appreciate exactly what makes it special. The Grants purchased the Strawberry House earlier this year and became its new operators in March. From the moment you walk through the front door, it is clear that they have approached the house with a sense of stewardship. They have preserved its historic charm while adding touches of their own, creating a space that feels both nostalgic and welcoming.
Stepping onto the porch and through the large front doorway is almost like stepping into another time. A grand staircase stands directly ahead, while an inviting parlor opens to the right and the breakfast area sits to the left. Antique wooden furniture fills the rooms, while strawberry-themed decorations, vintage signage, and old photographs add to the sense that this is a home deeply connected to Plant City.
In the parlor, the Grants point out an oval-framed photograph of a distinguished-looking man. They do not know who he is. They found the portrait in the attic and, rather than leaving him tucked away upstairs, decided he belonged in the house.
It is a small detail, but it says quite a bit about the way the Grants have approached their new home.
During my visit, Talesha invited me to choose whichever spot in the breakfast area “called” to me. I settled at an unassuming table near the coffee station, where guests can help themselves to coffee, tea, and cookies throughout their stay. Nearby, another sunny room looks out through large windows onto the street.
There is something particularly old-Florida about that room. It is bright and comfortable, the kind of place where you could easily spend a slow morning with a cup of tea while watching the world go by.
Talesha offered me a selection of teas, and I chose a bright floral blend. As we settled into conversation, the story of how she and Gary came to own the Strawberry House began to unfold.
The Grants are life coaches who have always shared a love for antiques, history, and nostalgia. They met through music at their church, where Gary played drums, and Talesha sang. One of their daughters lives near the Strawberry House, so the couple had driven past the property many times over the years, wondering about the historic home.
When they learned it was for sale earlier this year, they did not hesitate.
It is easy to see why.
As Talesha and Gary showed me around, their excitement about the property was contagious. Each room has its own character, including a Henry Plant and railroad-themed room, an Old West-themed room, and a room celebrating Plant City’s Strawberry Festival. The attention to detail extends beyond the main house. A two-bedroom cottage sits separately from the Inn and offers guests a more modern interior, with a coastal theme that reflects the Grants’ personal style. There is also a small Olympic-style pool that reaches eight feet deep in some areas.
The Grants have added another new feature that opens up even more possibilities for the property: a tea room for events. The room is designed for gatherings such as tea parties and baby showers and even includes a smaller tea table specifically for children. The couple hopes to host more events at the Strawberry House, including tabletop board game nights. They are big fans of “The Settlers of Catan,” so it would not be surprising to see the historic house become the setting for a few competitive games in the future. While the Strawberry House welcomes overnight guests, the Grants also see themselves as ambassadors for Plant City. They live on the property in private quarters, prepare breakfast for their guests, and are happy to offer recommendations to visitors who want to explore the area.
They have already directed guests toward local antique shops and cafes, and a collection of brochures near the entrance gives visitors ideas for things to see and do around town. That local connection feels especially fitting for a bed and breakfast housed in a place with so much history of its own.
The Strawberry House has already welcomed a mix of visitors, from local guests who need somewhere to put visiting friends and family to travelers from as far away as the Netherlands. For Plant City residents without the space to accommodate overnight visitors, the separate cottage offers an especially convenient option. Of course, no historic house would be complete without a few stories.
When I asked the Grants whether they had experienced anything unusual or unexplained inside the old home, they exchanged knowing looks. They do have some stories to tell, but those are best heard directly from them. You will just have to visit the Strawberry House and ask.
After spending time with Talesha and Gary, it is difficult not to feel that the house has landed exactly where it is supposed to be.
The Strawberry House has survived more than 100 years of changing times, changing owners, and a changing Plant City. Now, it has two new caretakers who seem genuinely excited to preserve what came before while giving the house a new chapter of its own. The Grants have only been at the helm since March, but their affection for the property is already apparent in every room, every antique, and every little detail. Their warmth seems to fit the house just as naturally as the old wooden floors and grand staircase. Sometimes a historic home needs more than owners. It needs people who understand that they are caring for something that belongs, in a way, to the whole community. The Strawberry House may have found exactly those people.
To learn more about staying at the Strawberry House or upcoming events, follow @Strawberryhousebnb on social media or visit strawberryhouse.co.
