TERRE HAUTE —
The traditional Holiday Home Tour for Farrington’s Grove Historical District will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 2. Six historical homes will be featured on the tour, highlighting the variety of architectural detail found in the neighborhood.
Tickets are $10 each and are available prior to the event at the Vigo County Historical Museum at 1411 S. Sixth St. Tickets can also be purchased at each of the homes on the day of the event.
The following is a list of homes that will be open for this year’s Holiday Home Tour.
1411 S. Sixth St.
Start your tour at the Vigo County History Museum, also called the Sage-Robinson-Nagel home. Built around 1868, this excellent example of the Italianate style is a two-and-one-half story brick residence that features an L-shaped main structure with several rear additions.
William H. Sage a prosperous baker and confectioner, bought the parcel in 1864, and had the house built several years later. In 1875, Sage sold the property to Henry Robinson, a prominent dry goods merchant, who made a number of changes to the house, including the addition of the rear section. Clemens W. Nagel, a meatpacker, purchased the property in 1905, and lived there until 1958, at which time the structure became the property of the Vigo County Historical Society.
The house was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 11, 1973. This year the Vigo County Historical Society is celebrating 90 years of service to the city of Terre Haute and its history. It will be open from 1 to 4 p.m.
1429 S. Sixth St.
Two doors south of the history museum is Jennie and Travis Vinzant’s home at 1429 S. Sixth St. The house was built in 1884 and has two fireplaces on the first floor. The Vinzants fell in love with the original hardwood floors on the second floor that they refinished and stained in February 2012 when they moved into the house.
There is an interesting little room on the second floor that is believed to have once been a maid’s quarters; now a walk-in closet. The house’s attic is finished and houses a few average-sized rooms. There is a pickling cellar in the basement. One of the previous owners commissioned Terre Haute’s D. Omar “Salty” Seamon to paint a portrait of the home, which that family still has.
1444 S. Center
At the corner of Putnam and South Center, at 1444 S. Center, the W. W. Parsons House is the home of Glen Cass along with his daughter and son-in-law, Carole and Sheldon Buskirk.
The house was built in 1910 by William W. Parsons, in the “Arts and Crafts” style. Dr. Parsons was a student in the first class of Indiana State Normal School in 1870, and then its president from 1885 to 1921 after it became Indiana State Teachers College. He and his wife, Martina, lived in the house until he died in 1925, after which she lived there until the 1940s when the house was sold to attorney George O. Dix.
Cass purchased the home in 1969. Nearly everything in the house dates to its original construction, from the red oak hardwood floors downstairs to the birch floors upstairs. The bathrooms are mostly original. Most of the light fixtures are original. It has been noted that perhaps W. W. Parsons’ ghost is still present in the house. Carole Buskirk says that both she and her son have seen Dr. Parsons’ ghost. They, and other guests in the house, have heard footsteps, doors opening and experienced water faucets turning on of their own accord.
When asked if the ghost could be Dix, Carole Buskirk said no, it looks like Dr. Parsons with a long, white beard. Cass and Carole Buskirk assure people that the ghost has only been very friendly and positive.
1226 S. Fifth St.
At 1226 S. Fifth St., Tim and Nicole Murphy’s house is an example of the classic American Foursquare house and was built by local builder Edgar Ainsworth from 1914-1915.
The house was the first of six he built in a row in this block. The house features common Foursquare elements: a broad sweeping front porch, hipped main roof, a centered gable dormer and tapered columns. The entry foyer features a large pocket door, a “piano window,” and a Prairie Style grilled banister and bench seat nook which retains its original patina.
Since its construction, the house has been home to a series of professionals beginning with Judge Presley O. Colliver and wife Laura in 1918. Colliver was a Vigo County judge and a partner in the law firm of Colliver & Wernecke. Judge Colliver helped prosecute several “big bankers” involved in the largest bank scandal in Terre Haute’s history.
The home is now owned by Tim, Nicole and Max Murphy. They have dedicated many hours to restoring the house. Improvements include plaster restoration, interior painting, a bathroom remodel, exterior painting, electrical and plumbing upgrades and a new Prairie Style kitchen which features custom Shaker cabinetry.
For the 2007 Farrington’s Grove Holiday Home Tour, the Murphys unveiled an upstairs “Internet Lounge” that is evocative of a Prohibition Era Speakeasy. Recent projects include restoration of the upstairs sleeping porch, the addition of a large back deck and landscaping.
1201 S. Sixth St.
Maralyn Booher and her late husband, Ray, lived in the home at 1201 S. Sixth St. for several decades. Recently Booher has put the home up for sale as she downsizes to an apartment. Another classic American Foursquare house, its large porch is shaded by tall shade trees in the summer.
It has two fireplaces, one in the living room and one in the dining room, built-in bookcases and china cupboards and lovely windows. A gleaming carved hardwood banister graces the stairs as they lead from the entry foyer to the upstairs bedroom level. There are spectacular hardwood floors throughout. Volunteers from the neighborhood will be “staging” the house and decorating it to celebrate the holiday season.
1200 S. Sixth St.
In 1928, coal company owner Homer Talley and his wife, Carrie, built the stone colonial revival house at 1200 S. Sixth St. In the mid-1960s, their son, Delbert, sold the house to the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. The fraternity did its own modifications as up to 40 young men a year occupied the house for the next 35 years.
In the winter of 2000-2001, the fraternity membership had shrunk to where they couldn’t maintain the house anymore, so it was sold to Indiana Landmarks. A large, frame addition was demolished from the back, and the house was boarded up. In 2002 the house was sold to Steve and Marie Pontius who renovated it and moved into the house is 2003.
While the home has been lovingly restored, very few of the original interior details remained when the Pontiuses bought the house. The home boasts oak hardwood floors, 1920s art tile bathrooms, three fireplaces, sleeping porches and a new modern kitchen.
Entertainment
Related Photos
-
1411 S. Sixth St.: Start your tour at the Vigo County History Museum, also called the Sage-Robinson-Nagel home. (Submitted photo)
-
1429 S. Sixth St.: Two doors south of the history museum is Jennie and Travis Vinzant’s home, built in 1884 with two fireplaces on the first floor.(Submitted photo)
-
1444 S. Center: At the corner of Putnam and South Center, the W.W. Parsons House is the home of Glen Cass along with his daughter and son-in-law, Carole and Sheldon Buskirk. (Submitted photo)
-
1226 S. Fifth St.: Tim and Nicole Murphy’s house, an example of the classic American Foursquare house, was built by local builder Edgar Ainsworth from 1914-1915. (Submitted photo)
-
1201 S. Sixth St.: Maralyn Booher and her late husband, Ray, lived in this home for several decades. (Submitted photo)
-
1200 S. Sixth St.: In 1928, coal company owner Homer Talley and his wife, Carrie, built this stone colonial revival house. (Submitted photo)
Discussion
Farrington’s Grove plans annual Holiday Home Tour
- Entertainment
-
-
Vigo County Fair announces search for the next Vocalist
The Wabash Valley Fair Association, FTC Productions Inc. and the Conservatory of Music have teamed up for the second year to bring an exciting Grandstand event to the 2013 Vigo County Fair. The Vocalist, a solo vocalist talent competition, is open to ages 14 and older.
-
Aerosmith, Jimmy Buffet and more to perform at Boston benefit concert
BOSTON — Aerosmith, James Taylor and Jimmy Buffett are joining other artists for a benefit concert for victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.
- Live Events listing: May 30, 2013
-
‘Garden Walk and Art Faire in the Park’ in Paris
A “Garden Walk and Art Faire in the Park” will be staged on June 15 in Paris, Ill.
The fair will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Methodist Park, 300 W. Court St. -
Kid Rock, Rolling Stones on scalping, summer tours
NEW YORK — Kid Rock is a scalper.
-
Banks of the Wabash Festival kicks off
The 2013 Banks of the Wabash Festival, scheduled May 23 through June 1 in Fairbanks Park, celebrates 40 years along the banks of the Wabash River, 30 under the sponsorship of the Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department.
-
Taylor Swift wins 8 trophies at Billboard Awards
LAS VEGAS — Another day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards.
-
Rapper Drake leads BET Awards with 12 nominations
NEW YORK — He started from the bottom, but now he’s on top at the BET Awards: Drake has 12 nominations. BET announced the nominees Tuesday. Rappers Kendrick Lamar and 2 Chainz are up for eight awards each.
-
IHS announces lineup for Concerts on the Canal, reprise of 'Museum Nights on the Canal'
INDIANAPOLIS —There are plenty of ways to enjoy downtown Indianapolis in the summer, and the Indiana Historical Society is offering two — both time-honored favorite Concerts on the Canal and its Museum Nights on the Canal program.
-
Work stalls on rebuilding Little Nashville Opry
NASHVILLE, Ind. — No construction has started at a southern Indiana concert hall destroyed in a 2009 fire even though a sign there suggests a 2013 reopening.
-
George Jones, 81, dies today in Nashville
Nashville, Tenn. – Country Music Hall of Famer, Grand Ole Opry member, and Kennedy Center Honoree George Glenn Jones died today, April 26, 2013, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. He was hospitalized April 18 with fever and irregular blood pressure.
-
Scenes from Robin Hood adaptation, “The Untold Story of Little John” April 21 at Children’s Museum
We all know the story of Robin Hood, the man who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor and defeated the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, freeing his people from the tyrannical reign of Prince John. We also know how this could not have been accomplished without Little John, Robin Hood’s loyal side-kick who stayed by him through thick and thin. But do we know what happened next?
-
REVIEW: ‘42’ movie hits home run
Unlike Jackie Robinson’s daring base-running style, the new film “42” takes few risks with the storyline of his life’s pivotal moment.
-
Terre Haute native Corenflos wins ACM Guitarist of the Year
The resume speaks for itself.
J.T. Corenflos’ guitar virtuosity has put the sparkle in hit songs and albums by legendary singers, from Alan Jackson to Bob Seger, Brooks and Dunn, Don Henley and George Jones, as well as country music chart-toppers such as Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw and Rascal Flatts. When the greats are ready to record a single or a CD in Nashville, Corenflos’ phone usually rings first. He’s one of Music City’s most well-regarded session guitarists. -
Annette Funicello, Mouseketeer and film star, dies
NEW YORK — Annette Funicello, who became a child star as a perky, cute-as-a-button Mouseketeer on “The Mickey Mouse Club” in the 1950s, then teamed up with Frankie Avalon in a string of ‘60s fun-in-the-sun movies with titles like “Beach Blanket Bingo” and “Bikini Beach,” died today. She was 70.
-
Terre Haute's J.T. Corenflos named ACM Guitarist of the Year
The resume speaks for itself.
J.T. Corenflos’ guitar virtuosity has put the sparkle in hit songs and albums by legendary singers, from Alan Jackson to Bob Seger, Brooks and Dunn, Don Henley and George Jones, as well as country music chart-toppers such as Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw and Rascal Flatts. -
Tickets to ISU’s presentation of Spoon River Anthology go on sale April 8
The Indiana State University theater department will present “Spoon River Anthology” April 10-13 beginning at 7:30 p.m. each day in the Dreiser Hall Theater.
-
Laser and light to accompany Pink Floyd music at April 20 show
Paramount’s LaserSpectacular, the smash hit multi-media laser and light show featuring the music of Pink Floyd, will come to the Effingham Performance Center at 8 p.m. on April 20.
-
Comic bringing 26 pets to Effingham for show
Gregory Popovich and his Comedy Pet Theater is scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. on April 12 at the Effingham Performance Center in Effingham, Ill.
-
Willie Nelson & Family to play IU Auditorium on April 6
New Covenant Productions will present “An Evening with Willie Nelson and Family” live in concert at 7:30 p.m. on April 6 at Indiana University Auditorium in Bloomington.
-
Cellist to perform March 29 at Coffee Grounds
Shannon Hayden, a Yale School of Music graduate, will perform her own compositions for amplified cello at 8 p.m. March 29 in the Coffee Grounds at 423 Wabash Ave.
-
Weather forces postponement of Maya Angelou lecture
Due to the weather, Dr. Maya Angelou’s lecture scheduled for Tuesday, March 26, in Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, has been postponed.
-
'Quartet' at Honey Creek West 8 March 1
The comedy/drama “Quartet” opens March 1 in Honey Creek West 8 behind Honey Creek Mall in Terre Haute. Shows are at 7:40 and 10:05 p.m.
-
Affleck’s ‘Argo’ wins best-picture Oscar
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ben Affleck’s “Argo,” a film about a fake movie, has earned a very real prize: best picture at the Academy Awards.
From the White House, First Lady Michelle Obama joined Jack Nicholson to help present the final prize. -
Singer-songwriter, Hutsonville native to perform in home county
After the January release of her new single, “I’m Not Gonna Let You,” Nashville singer-songwriter Roxie Randle will perform Feb. 7 in the Illinois county where she grew up.
-
At Home on Stage: Upcoming concert brings Grammy-nominated band and singer-guitarist back to Terre Haute
A club in New York City or the front room of the Eldredges’ house near West Terre Haute. The setting never fazed Terry Eldredge, even as a teenager. He could play music anywhere, bold and confident.
-
Mid-West Archery, Whitetail Deer Expo Jan. 12
Wintertime blues getting you down? Hunting season over, lose that cabin fever and come visit us at the Mid-West Archery and Whitetail Deer Expo. Vendors will have on display quality hand made crafts, ATVs, new trucks, log cabin, taxidermy and many other must see vendors.
-
Children’s Choir auditions begin Jan. 9
The Terre Haute Children’s Choir will stage auditions from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Jan. 12 in Room 161 of the Landini Center for the Performing and Fine Arts on the Indiana State University campus.
-
‘The Wabash’ varies in style, pace, heritage and feeling
In 13 cuts, an album simply titled “The Wabash” varies in style, pace, heritage and feeling as much as does the river itself.
-
Rapper Common to deliver lecture at Butler in January
Rapper/actor Common will speak about “Lessons of Life: One Day It’ll All Make Sense” at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 in Clowes Memorial Hall, part of the 25th anniversary of Butler University’s Celebration of Diversity Distinguished Lecture Series.
- More Entertainment Headlines
-
Vigo County Fair announces search for the next Vocalist
Tiger on Sergio: 'It's Time to Move On'
Robot Action Connected to Human Thought
Rain Damages Brazil Soccer Stadium
NYC 911 Call Lasts for 8 Hours
Obama: US Has Helped Syrian Rebels
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
California Cops Cruise on Stand-up Paddle Patrol
Falling Cable Hurts 10 NASCAR Fans
Raw: 100K Protesters Flood Brazilian Streets
Afghan Forces Take Afghanistan Security Lead
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
Transgender Candidate Running in NYC
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
Man Who Disrupted Flight Ranted About CIA
Feds: 7-Eleven Stores Exploited Immigrants
Oklahoma City Thunder Players Tour Moore
Today in History June 18
Iran's Rowhani Urges 'Path of Moderation'
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach
Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane
Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber
WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag
Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit
Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard
See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab
Sofia Vergara Posts Perky Backside Pic in Thong
Gaga Ditches Her Crazy Couture
Caught on Tape: Teacher Accused of Beating Autistic Child
"Stay Classy" Campaign Aims to Curb Binge Drinking
Sesame Street Tackling Tough Topic Parents in Jail
Miss Utah Fumbles Interview Question
Deranged man claims Newark-bound flight was poisoned
Cameron Diaz and Kate Upton Show Off Their Amazing Bikini Bodies
NBA FINALS: Spurs Win Game 5, Lead Series
