Dog Bark Park Inn, Beagle-shaped bed and breakfast in Cottonwood, Idaho, US.
Dog Bark Park Inn is a two-bedroom bed and breakfast built in the shape of a beagle along Highway 95 in Cottonwood, Idaho. The structure, designed and built by Dennis Sullivan and Frances Conklin, is a landmark in the state and is colloquially known as "Sweet Willy" by local residents. The inn features dog-themed contents and is part of Dog Bark Park, which also includes a gift shop, visitors center, and the gallery of chainsaw artists Sullivan and Conklin.
Dennis Sullivan and Frances Conklin designed and built the structure as the World's Biggest Beagle. The bed and breakfast opened in August 2003 and closed in 2024. It operated as a two-bedroom inn along Highway 95 in Cottonwood, Idaho.
The owners began their career as chainsaw artists creating hand-carved wooden dog figures before designing the beagle-shaped building. This work made the property a gathering point for travelers interested in American folk art and original architecture. The building has become a symbol of creative ventures in rural Idaho and continues to inspire other artists in the region.
The inn closed in 2024, so it can no longer be booked for overnight stays. The site on Highway 95 still comprises the beagle-shaped building, a gift shop and visitors center, and the gallery of chainsaw artists Dennis Sullivan and Frances Conklin. Dog carvings of many breeds are displayed there.
The owners published a commemorative book titled 'Sweet Willy, a Noble & Absurd Undertaking' that chronicles the complete history of this unusual lodging chronologically. The name Willy refers to the imaginary beagle that the structure represents. The book includes construction blueprints, challenges during building, and anecdotes from guests who stayed overnight in the structure.
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