2007 Owosso Historic Home Tour
The Owosso Historical Commission and Preservation Owosso are pleased to announce the 2007 Owosso Historic Home Tour, scheduled for Saturday, September 29, 10am - 5pm. The tour will showcase seven of the area’s most impressive private residences.
"These homes represent a wide variety of architectural styles, historical significance and time periods," said Owosso Historical Commission chairperson Piper Brewer and Preservation Owosso president, JoEllen Hartley.
At least one of these homes has never been open to the public before. That home, a fine example of Georgian Revival style architecture, is the James Oliver Curwood house. Built in 1910 at 508 West Williams Street, it has been owned for over 60 years by retired industrialist, George Hoddy.
The oldest home on the tour dates to 1856. Built by Adam Byerly on the southwest corner of Oliver and Water Streets, the house was owned for many years by Judge Roy Matthews and then his daughter, Olive. The house has been restored inside and out by the present owners, Glen and Marlene Passow.
Another of the historic homes is the Fletcher - Gould House at 118 East Oliver Street. The house was built in 1883 by William Fletcher who came to Owosso in 1836 with his father, Daniel, one of Ball’s Colonists. The current owners of the house, Dr. David & Cindy Louwsma, are presently restoring the home to its former grandeur.
Another landmark in the city’s Oliver Street Historic District is the stately brick 1873 Dimmick/Greenway House at 713 West Oliver, now owned and operated as a bed and breakfast by Stephanie and Steven Grady.
Next door at 701 West Oliver Street is the lovely home of Dr. Tim and Marcia Oliver built in 1917. This property was once the home of B.O. Williams, Owosso’s founder with his brother, A.L. Williams.
Westown Owosso is represented with a fine example of a restored building owned by Scott Hildebrant at 811 West Main Street. On the main floor is his screen printing business, Imageline Productions. On the second floor is his living quarters, a fabulous New York style loft apartment.
The 1892 Eastlake-inspired Victorian home of Susan Woodard and Rick Worch is located at 314 Michigan Avenue, the only brick-paved street visible in the city of Owosso. Due to its historical significance, the Michigan Avenue/Genesee Street neighborhood was designated an historic district and place on the national Register of Historic Places.
In addition, the Woodard Station, 317 South Elm Street, will be open for viewing. The Woodard Factory was built in 1902 for the production of the wood, and eventually internationally famous metal furniture. The Woodard Station is a project of the Bosgraff Corporation, with Dave Spaulding project manager, and is now a combination of residential condos, commercial and retail space.
Tickets are $10 and will be available for purchase around September 1st. Proceeds from the tour are used to help preserve and maintain Curwood Castle and the Gould House. Refreshments and music at the 1860 Gould House and admission to Curwood Castle are included with ticket purchase.
Other sites will be open the day of the Tour and holding special activities at no charge. They include the Shiawassee Arts Center, 206 Curwood Castle Drive and the Movie Museum, 318 East Oliver Street. Also, the First Congregational Church, Washington at Williams Streets, will be offering its annual Stone Soup luncheon and the Episcopal Church on Goodhue Street will be selling pie by the slice. For more information, persons may call Piper Brewer, (989) 723.8354 or Owosso City Hall, (989) 725.0599.
