VISITING CAPE'S HISTORICAL HOMES: HOMES PROVIDE GLIMPSE OF CITY'S PAST

Cliff and Lynette Shirrell live in one of Cape Girardeau's most visible homes.

Their home at 14 Morgan Oak is seen by almost everyone who crosses the Mississippi River Bridge.

"I had always admired it as a kid, and my parents admired it as kids," Cliff Shirrell said. "It's been a landmark in Cape Girardeau for over 100 years."

The brick home was built in 1880 by William Wheeler, a riverboat captain. Every room except one has a view of the Mississippi River, Lynette Shirrell said.

The Shirrells' home was one of 13 that were part of the Historical Home Tour and Victorian Tea Party in Cape Girardeau Sunday.

The tour was sponsored by Century 21 Key Realty, the Easter Seal Society and the Cape Girardeau Historical Society. The money raised from the tour will benefit the Easter Seal Society.

Living in a historic home doesn't always mean giving up modern conveniences.

"It depicts that living in an older home doesn't mean drafty windows," said Peggy Winchester of her house at 224 Good Hope. "It's modern and livable."

The house has been remodeled and two rooms were added within the past two years, she said.

Living without air conditioning hasn't bothered B.W. Harrison. His home at 340 Lorimier doesn't need air conditioning with its 16-inch thick walls.

Harrison has lived in the house since 1947. It was built in 1906 by his wife's father.

When the house was built, there were no blueprints so each window and door are different.

"They were all made on the job by skilled workmen," Harrison said, adding that there have been no major changes to the house since it was built.

"There were some minor repairs and painting last year, but we found all the trim in the basement," he said.

The house is a perfect example of Queen Anne classic architecture, said John Schneider, chairman of the city's Historic Preservation Commission.

The architecture of the house at 428 Themis caught the attention of Susan Seawell.

"It was in such good condition that all we did was a little painting and roof attention," she said.

The Seawells, who have lived in the house for only three months, are the third owners. The house was built about 1915.

"Old houses fascinate me," said Hazel Hobbs Kester while partaking of tea and refreshments at the Glenn House.