Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Take a drive through the county and a walk through history Sept. 13 during the Kosciusko Historic Home Tour.
Planned by the Kosciusko County Historical Society, the fund-raiser "is an opportunity to show the beautiful homes we have in the county," said Neal Carlson of the Historical Society. It is the first time in 10 years the group has offered such a tour.
The idea for the tour was born a few years ago after a Sites and Structures Inventory was conducted of all historical properties in the county, Carlson said.
Homes from the tour were chosen from the southern part of the county, Carlson said, so people wouldn't have to drive so far. He said the group hopes to offer a similar tour in northern Kosciusko County in 1998.
The Historical Society is especially appreciative of those who are opening their homes for the tour. "A lot of fine people are allowing us to do this," Carlson said. "... They're being very charitable to the Kosciusko County Historical Society."
Tickets for the historical tour are $8 if purchased before Saturday and $10 after Saturday. Tickets are available at the Kosciusko County Jail Museum, at any home on the tour, or from the following businesses: First National Bank, downtown Warsaw and Claypool; Lake City Bank, Warsaw office; Farmers State Bank, Mentone office; and Brennan's Pharmacy, downtown Warsaw, and Owen's East.
All proceeds will by used by the Historical Society to preserve local historical sites, such as the Pound Store in Oswego.
People who take the tour may visit the homes in any order they wish. The tour is set from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Rain date is noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 14). Maps will be provided.
A special feature of the tour will be the Westminster Hotel, 105 Ninth St., Winona Lake. The Westminster, completed in 1907, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Indiana State Historical Register. It was the largest and finest of Winona Lake hotels when the region was the world's largest spiritual and recreation center.
The hotel was purchased by Grace College and Seminary in 1994 for use as a dormitory and student union. The main floor is being restored for community use and a regional museum.
The tour will also include:
Thomas and Phyllis Barger Home, 510 E. Fort Wayne St., Warsaw - This Queen Anne style home, built around 1880, features a wrap-around porch, decorative millwork and several colors. The original gas chandeliers have been rewired for electricity. The house contains a double fireplace and two stairways to the second floor, as well as stained glass windows. Oak, pin oak and cherry woods were used for the interior woodwork and stairs. This house is on the East Fort Wayne Street National Register of Historic Places.
David and Letrecia Brown Home, 316 S. High St., Warsaw - This Queen Anne brick house with a wooden octagonal tower and widow's walk was built in 1873. The bay window to the east features the original glass, wood shutters and built-in drawers. The staircase to the second floor and the Federal newel post are also original. Previous owners entertained and held dances on the third floor, which had an elevated bandstand. This area has been transformed into a master bedroom suite and office.
Jerry and Leafy Hudson Home, 201 N. Tucker, Mentone - Exactly when this home was built is not known, but it was purchased by Hollis and Emma Bybee in 1894 for $1,500. The present concrete/brick porch and leaded glass windows were added in 1915; it was at this time that the house was covered with a stucco called kellistone. The house also features an open stairway with a loveseat and interior woodwork of quarter-sawn white oak.
Annabelle Rathfon Home, 701 W. Main St., Mentone - This I-house in the Greek Revival style was the homestead of Benjamin Blue and was constructed in 1850. The house features stylish cornice returns, poplar clapboard siding and Doric style porch columns. The woodwork, wainscoting and open stairway were constructed from black walnut. The home retains its hand-carved doors and 9-foot ceilings. Still known as the "Blue House," it was the first frame house in Franklin Township.
Mary Reece-Groff Home, 5298 Ind. 15S, Claypool - This T-plan house with large columns is believed to have been built in the 1860s. The home was remodeled in the 1960s, when the colonnaded front porch was added. Interesting antiques include a grandfather clock purchased in England, the wooden leather-sewing bench by the front door, a copper kettle once used for making apple butter, a rope bed and the child's rocker Mary's mother purchased with grocery coupons.
Glenn and Helga Tess Home, 3688 W. CR 100S, Warsaw - The outside of this Italianate house looks much the same as it did when it was constructed in 1866. The walls consist of double layers of brick separated by a 6-inch air space. The elaborate cornices and porch bracketing are original. The house features nine large rooms, with seven transoms over the original doors. Each room once had its own chimney access and heating stove. The basement floor is laid brick. An interesting feature is the attached brick summer kitchen/smokehouse.
For more information on the tour, call the Kosciusko County Historical Society at 269-1078.
