SCOTT CITY HOSTS HISTORIC HOME TOUR; FIVE HOUSES ARE PART OF SATURDAY AFTERNOON EVENT

SCOTT CITY -- A tour of historic homes in the Scott City area will be held Saturday from 1-5 p.m., sponsored by the Scott City Historic Preservation Commission.

Tickets for the tour, which includes five houses, cost $5, and are available in advance from commission members. Tickets will be available at any of the houses on the day of the tour also.

Brochures with information about each house and refreshments will be provided for those participating in the tour.

Also note cards featuring pen and ink drawings by Scott City artist Bill Davis Sr. will be available for sale at each of the house.

The Dorris House, 903 E. Second St. This nine-room, two-story frame house is believed to have been built early in 1906 when the town of Illmo was only 1-year-old. It received it's name from the Dr. G.T. Dorris family, who resided there for 40 years from 1919 to 1959.

The house is now owned by Tanya and Billy Davis Jr. They are in the process of restoring the house to its former Victorian style. Information about the former details of the house have been gained from pictures and information from Anna Dorris, the wife of G.T. Dorris.

The Wolfe House, 103 W. Cherry. Reportedly the oldest house in Scott City, the Wolfe House was built before the Civil War. The house started as a two-story farm dwelling constructed of rough hewn oak and cypress timbers on a stone foundation. Tongue and groove joints, dowels, square nails, high ceilings and horse-hair plaster characterize the construction techniques of the day.

The house was purchased by H.C. and Agnes Wolfe in 1905 from George and Lizzie Roth. The house remained in the Wolfe family for 67 years, until 1972. It is now owned by Mike Johnston who is renovating the home.

The W.D. Hartner House, 301 E. Mar Elm. This house is one of the best examples of Craftsman Style architecture in the area. Most of the house has remained untouched since it was built in 1919 by John and Coda Mae Craig. The house received its name from third owners, William D. and Leona Hartner, who resided at the house from 1937 to 1980. The house is now owned by Kim Eifert, who is restoring the house and furnishing it with period pieces.

The Elsie Eifert House, 411 N. Lincoln. The Elsie Eifert House is a one and a half story frame farm house built in 1913 by Elsie's father, Daniel A. Eifert. It stands on an acre of land owned by her great-grandfather. The land has been in the family since before the Civil War.

The doors, walls, floors and ceilings are original. The brick in the chimney flue were hand-made from clay from an adjoining farm. Some of the furniture in the house is over 100 years old and includes examples of Eastlake style.

The Heisserer-Messmer House, Messmer Street in Kelso. The house was constructed by Charles Heisserer around 1903. The current owner is Suzi Caldwell, who has furnished the house in Victorian decor. The hardwood floors are original to the house, along with the kitchen and back porch areas, which have been refurbished.

For more information about the tour, call Evelyn McClintock at 264-2982 or Billy Davis Jr. at 264-3473.