Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
BOURBON - The 1914 home of Tom and Sheila Bowers at 206 E. North St. has been the residence of many Bourbon residents. Long-time doctor F.E. Radcliffe lived and conducted his medical practice in this house.
Following Radcliffe's death, the people of the Methodist Church bought the house for their parsonage. In 1944, Revs. George and Zoa Snider moved from the old parsonage into their new home. The Sniders' daughters (Jane Snider Swihart and Elizabeth Snider Marshall, who both live in Bourbon) were young adults when their parents moved into the new parsonage.
Other pastors to occupy the house over the 34 years it was a parsonage include Rev. and Mrs. Steedman and Rev. and Mrs. Cornelius.
The house was eventually sold after the church merged with the Evangelical United Brethren. The Methodist building and EUB parsonage were kept by the newly merged First United Methodist Church.
In the 11 years they have lived here, the Bowers have made improvements to their home, enhancing the original design. Tom said, "We have refinished the weatherworn window trim and added vinyl siding." The backyard was recently landscaped and a deck added.
The Bowers' home is entered through a glass-enclosed front porch. "The porch swing has been to all of our houses," said Sheila.
The living room and dining room are accented with mission-style oak trim around the doors and windows. Built-in oak bookcases provide handy storage and add a warmth to the room.
A splendid paned glass window on the east wall of the dining room is original to the house. Original built-in oak cupboards are found in this room also.
The ceiling in the kitchen has been lowered and the room modernized. Several years ago an extra bathroom was put in on the second floor.
Tom pointed out that "oak trim was used in the front rooms and pine in the family areas of the house."
The house has the potential for four bedrooms. The Bowers are using one downstairs for a study. The upstairs rooms have detailed wood trim and built-in closets. The door hardware is the same all over the house. Skeleton keys fit the old locks. Fancy metal grates cover the hot air ducts.
The master bedroom has a sunroom to the south. Sheila said, "We stripped and refinished all the wood in these two rooms." An oak bed with a tall headboard dominates the room. Sheila said, "I bought the bed in Leesburg at an auction while I was still in high school." The Bowers' love of antique furniture is evident throughout the house.
The Bowers and their three sons, Matt, Mark and Seth, moved into their home in 1987.
They and the other homeowners readily agreed to participate in the Tour of Homes fund raiser for the Triton Education Foundation Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased in advance at the First State Bank, on the day of the tour at any of the homes or at the United Methodist Church where old historic pictures of Bourbon are on display.
The other homes on the tour are the Ullery home at 901 N. Main St., the Miller home at 304 N. Washington St. and the Sautter home at 506 S. Main St.
Parking is available at the United Methodist Church and on the side streets near the homes. Tour participants are reminded there is no parking on Main Street in the residential areas.
