Source: NMHS Newsletter, November 1991

Historical Society Welcomes You To Tour of Beautiful Houses on December 1^st 

You are invited to tour six historic North Manchester homes beautifully decorated for the holidays on  December 1, 1991, noon to 6:00 p.m.

The house tour committee has been working since the beginning of the year, under the direction of Evelyn Niswander and Grace Kester, co-chairmen, promising to provide interesting stories about our architecture and exciting visual memories as well!  This is the Society’s 12^th tour. Ticket sales benefit the work of the North Manchester Historical Society.

Tickets will be sold the day of the tour and refreshments will be served at the Historic Manchester Inn, successor of the Old Sheller Hotel, 202 North Walnut Street, now under new ownership.  Please invite your friends and neighbors to participate!

Home of Jeff and Kim Clark  *  405 East Third Street.   A Victorian cottage dating from 1874.  Remarkable gingerbread on the front porch survives, as does the summer house; this house was associated with the Lautzenhiser family until the Clarks bought the house recently and added their creative touch.

Home of Larry and Susan Dockter  *  710 North Wayne Street.  This free classical house was built soon after the turn of the century by a member of the Leedy family.  Lovingly restored and furnished by the Dockters, the house features an open stairway from the entry hall and is decorated by handcrafted items and stained glass.

Home of Merrell and Lois Geible  *  3007 North Wayne Street.  This 1920’s bungalow-style house sports beams in the living and dining rooms, characteristic of the Arts and Crafts movement which is being studied more and more these days.  Art by members of the family is a special touch, as is the deck which looks over a peaceful backyard. 

Next door is another tour house, for your comparison, of similar style yet quite different, the home of Home of Kelly and Wendy Koons  *  311 North Wayne Street, who recently bought the house from the Dan Naragons.  Before that it had been for a number of years the Knauff home. 

Home of Don and Kathy Rinearson  *  716 North Wayne Street. This free classical house was built near the end of the century.  The Rinearsons have respected the architecture of the house while fitting it for use as a modern family dwelling which brought about a number of improvements and exceptional decorating which focuses on a point of interest in each room.

Home of Susan L. Young  *  110 West Fourth Street.  This is a larger, warmly-painted Victorian frame house of the early 1890’s with a wrap-around porch.  In the short time of her ownership Young has created surprising effects which will please you from the time you step inside the front door.  Welcome!