You are invited to The Lower Columbia Preservation Society's
2nd Annual "Holiday Home Tour"!

- The tour is Saturday, December 9th, 2006, 4:00p.m. - 7:00p.m.
- Admission for the event is $15 per person, $10 for members.(Individuals who wish to join the Lower Columbia Preservation Society by mail prior to December 1st, will receive the LCPS membership tour rate of $10.00 - JOIN HERE)
- Tickets can be purchased through the mail until December 1st. Mail checks to: LCPS Holiday Home Tour, PO Box 1334, Astoria, OR. 97103.
- Tickets may also be purchased on the Saturdays of December 2nd and December 9th, from 11:00a.m. - 1:00p.m. at the Hobson Building entrance, 1168 Commercial, in downtown Astoria.

The tour is self-guided and the homes can be visited in any order. Tickets must be presented at each home and will not be sold during the event. Six homes will be showcased, each decked with old-fashioned greenery, ornaments, candles, music, homemade cookies, and holiday inspiration:

1. This home was built in 1888 by Benjamin and Kristina Young, who came to Astoria from Sweden in 1874. Benjamin Young made his fortune in the salmon packing business and established the Scandinavian Packing Company when the Columbia River front was thriving. This lovely example of Queen Anne architecture is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Benjamin Young Inn Bed and Breakfast, established in 1994, has been a romantic get-away overlooking the Columbia River, and used for special teas and other functions.

2. Built in the 1890's, this vernacular Queen Anne slid down the block just after the turn of the century to the edge of what was at the time Scow Bay. Turning as it slid with 3 other homes, then brought back up the hill with 2 teams of horses, it was placed facing the cross street and thus required a new address. The home, although "dolled up " by its current owners of 7 years, still retains all of its original character. The property, void of any floral & fauna for more than 80 yrs, has been transformed into a park-like landscape and featured in a past LCPS Garden Tour.

3. Completed in 1892 by Gustav and Christine Holmes, this grand Victorian home remained with the original family until 1960, when Captain and Mrs. Collins purchased the house. Gustav owned canneries in Vancouver, BC and was in partnership with Benjamin Young (Benjamin Young Inn). Mr. Holmes also started the first bank in Astoria, the Scandinavian Bank, and was apparently an entrepreneur. According to The Collins', Andrew Holmes, the youngest son of Gustav, left the house with a suitcase and his dog - leaving all the original furnishings, linens, etc. He said goodbye to everything and left, but returned a couple of minutes later saying, "Oops, I forgot something!" He then went to a cupboard, retrieved a bottle of liquor, and left Astoria for good! Three owners later, it has been a family home since 1991.

4. The home was designed by John Wicks in the Craftsman style and completed in 1910 for Norris Staples. Staples began his career in lumber, but made a fortune as one of the first car dealers in Astoria. The house also had one of the first garages in town. Norris Staples was the only casualty of the fire of 1922 that devastated the downtown area. He had a heart attack while trying to roll all his cars out of the showroom. This home has a lovely front veranda to enjoy the river view. The current owners have meticulously been working to restore the home to its original elegance, room by room.

5. Emil Schacht, a prominent Portland architect, designed this elegant 1911 home for Frank Dunbar, the Oregon Secretary of State from 1899 to 1907. Schacht also designed the original Astoria City Hall (now used by the Clatsop County Historical Society), the Fire Station (originally a brewery, now a children's museum), The Louvre (the original building was torn down, and the Lower Columbia Preservation Society's office is on that location), as well as many homes in Portland. The style is classic Astoria; the exterior is shingle style and the interior is neo-Colonial . Frank Dunbar built the house upon his return to Astoria, demonstrating his desire for a "modern" home.

6. This new Mill Pond Village home is based on a plan designed by the owner, and built by Ed Overbay Houseworks. Researched thoroughly, the colors were inspired by old books of early 20th century houses. Authentic Craftsman light fixtures were utilized and most furnishings and accessories are from that time period. Mill Pond Village, which is part of the overall Gateway Plan, rests on the former Plywood Mill site that was so much a part of Astoria's history. This planned community concept is meant to reflect the architecture and character of Astoria. The Craftsman style is seen throughout Astoria, and although this house was completed in 2005, it retains that historic sense of style, showing that all that is old is new again in perfect taste!