Tour to visit historic Fostoria homes scheduled

Local history buffs will receive another treat from the Fostoria Area Historical Society on May 15. Six homes in the city will be open for tours as the society hosts a Heritage Home Tour between 1 and 5 p.m. Mimi Schaffner, one of the tour's organizers, said those taking the tour will drive to each home themselves and will be able to identify them by signs that have been placed in the front yards. The owners will be present at many of the homes, as will members of the historical society. Visitors will also be able to see an artist's rendering of the structure. Schaffner said the tour is another in a series of presentations the historical society likes to host for the education and enjoyment of residents. A recent event the historical society hosted at the Fostoria Learning Center was "An Evening with Laura Ingalls Wilder," in which Medina resident Judy Green, in character, recalled the time period during which events occurred that led to Wilder authorizing the "Little House on the Prairie" books. Coming up on July 30, the historical society will host Heritage Days in downtown Fostoria in conjunction with the St. Wendelin Festival. The day will include a car show, on Main Street, an antique show at the senior center and children's games in the parkette at the intersection of Main and North streets. Tickets for the home tour are priced at $20 prior to the event and $25 on the day it takes place. Tickets can be purchased at each home on that day. In advance tickets are available at the Fostoria Senior Center, 125 W. North St., the North Street Styling Salon, 237 W. North St., or by contacting any member of the historical society board of directors. In addition to presenting various events in the city, it also operates museums at 123 W. North St. and 105 N. Main St. Both are open from 1-4 p.m. on Saturdays from May through October. Homes included in the tour are: THE PINK HOUSE, 223 W. Tiffin St.: The residence has had several owners since, but it has been traced to the original patent deed from the U.S. government in 1832. The house was believed to be built as a servants' quarters in 1836. The Pink House at 215 W. Tiffin St., is believed to be the oldest homes on the historic street.THE HATFIELD HOUSE, 336 S. Main: J.F. Truesdale, a postal telegraph operator, was the first owner, in 1889. Dr. Chalmer and Edna Hatifield took ownership in 1908. Dr. Hatfield died around 1919, and Edna lived to be 102 years old and still lived in the house in 1981.THE CROCKER HOUSE, 133 E. South St.: The residence is believed to have been constructed somewhere between 1855 and 1861. It remained in the Crocker family until Marguerite Crocker Show, great-granddaughter of builder John Crocker, moved to Fort Worth, Texas, around 1940.THE MASONIC TEMPLE, 133 E. Tiffin St.: The cornerstone of the building was laid on May 26, 1913, with more than 750 Masons in attendance -- 250 alone from Fostoria -- and a total crowd of about 5,000 people. Many renovations have since taken place, including a $30,000 elevator in 1993.THE WONDERLY HOUSE, 414 W. Fremont St.: The first listed owner of the house is E.E. Albright in 1893. William T. Porter, the owner of a dry-cleaning service, purchased the home in 1947 and he or his widow resided there until 1997.THE KIMES HOUSE, 707 N. Countyline St.: Dr. Marcus Dana is believed to have taken residence at Fostoria's oldest house in 1835 at the original Risdon Square, located at the intersection of Countyline and Summit streets. The house is believed to have remained in his family for 58 years and was afterward owned by two other families before Howard Kimes purchased it in 1908.