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We are excited for you to join us for the enchanting world of our Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes! Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit as we showcase the festive splendor of 10 charming old and historic homes.
This magical tour, which began 45 years ago in 1980, takes you through a winter wonderland of beautifully decorated homes, each telling its own unique holiday story. Some homes are old where others are new, some historic and storied while others beginning their own special legacy. As you venture into each, marvel at the timeless architecture or unique character, delight in the festive decorations and displays that capture each homeowner’s warmth and joy of the season.
TOUR DATES and TIME:
Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th, 2025
5:00pm – 9:00pm
Reminder: Be prepared to show your e-ticket(s) or paper ticket(s) at the first home stop that you choose. Tickets may be redeemed on either date. Wristbands will be provided for entry to the rest of the homes.
ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE TOUR:
FREE DOOR PRIZES – A drawing for area restaurant gift certificates valued between $40 – $50
WREATHS RAFFLE – Wreaths, door swags or holiday decorations raffled
50/50 RAFFLE – A chance to win half of this raffle’s cash pot
LIVE MUSIC – Instrumental or choral entertainment at various locations during the tour
DONUTS & HOT BEVERAGES – Available to purchase at various locations during the tour
TOUR MYSTERY ITEM HUNT – Clues will be given to search for an item located in one of the tour homes. No touching necessary! A winner of a $50 dollar gift certificate will be randomly drawn from all correct entries identifying the item and which home it was located. Please submit your entry to our email at: tourofhomes@oldhouseguild.org
The mystery item hunt clues are:
- I am old but I still work
- I am best when you look at me
- I help you to see the world
- It does not take much to turn me on
- I am entertaining but not very colorful
VISIT THE BOECKLING CLUB – (614 Columbus Avenue)
You may purchase raffle chances at $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. You must have a tour ticket/wristband & register at the Boeckling Club at 614 Columbus Ave., Sandusky, OH on tour nights. One additional door prize entry is given for every 6 wreath chances you purchase for $5.00. Here is where you also register for the Free Door Prizes. GOOD LUCK!!
Winners for all the raffles and door prizes will be drawn following the tour and you will be contacted if you are a winner.
HOMES FEATURED FOR 2025 (click on the address for directions):
In respect to the property of each home on the tour, please remove your shoes (no bare feet!) upon entering each home. We suggest bringing a bag to carry your shoes in. No interior photography permitted without the homeowner’s expressed permission. Thank you for your cooperation!
414 McDonough Street – White board and batten – 4th house south of Adams Street on the east side
418 McDonough Street – White board and batten – 5th house south of Adams Street on the east side
1214 Ogontz Street – Red Brick – 2nd house north of Erie Boulevard on the east side
1614 Milan Road – Red brick front, limestone – 4th house north of Sycamore Line on the east side
209 Fulton Street – Limestone – 2nd house south of Washington Street on the west side
511 Fulton Street – Moss green clapboard – 3rd house south of Jefferson Street on the west side
1426 Wayne Street – White clapboard – 7th house south of Cable Street on the east side
Masonic Temple – 304 Wayne Street – Native Limestone building – at the corner of East Washington Street and Wayne Street
Follet House Museum – 404 Wayne Street – This home was built between 1834-1837 for Oren Follett.
INTERESTING FACTS OF THE 2025 HOMES FEATURED:
David & Suzanne Stuck – 414 McDonough Street – The home was built in 1930 as a shotgun style home that has been added to over the years and is known as Ivy Cottage. This cozy home has shiplap walls, original kitchen beadboard and restored sink, and plank floors throughout adding rustic charm, and 2 crystal chandeliers add a touch of elegance. These along with the large backyard adjacent to their permanent residence on West Adams Street drew them to this home. The dining room has served as a gathering spot for their extended family holiday meals, and the 2 patios are a great spot for family and friends to enjoy. It is charmingly decorated for Christmas.
David & Suzanne Stuck – 418 McDonough Street – The home was built in 1903 as a one story brick home and is now a stately 2 story duplex known as Peony House. Some bricks can still be seen at the back half of the house. Downstairs until recently was a mother-in-law suite now transformed into a comfortable farmhouse style interior with beautiful wood floors and a large, bright and sunny kitchen: don’t miss the butler’s pantry. The original staircase in the foyer takes you to the upstairs French country apartment with lots of windows in a French blue theme. The breakfast room was an enclosed porch and the gorgeous bathroom extensively remodeled. Both up and down baths have their original claw foot tubs. The backyard has a greenhouse/she shed added well worth checking out. The backyard adjoins that of Ivy Cottage and the Stuck’s West Adams Street home, making the area jokingly referred to as “The Stuck Compound”. The home is also charmingly decorated for Christmas.
David & Cindy Brink – 1214 Ogontz Street – The home was built in 1951 and they have lived in the home for 27 years. The home was built for William Lyman who was owner of Lyman Boat Works, and has “Lyman” mahogany throughout including a 13 foot long archway between the living room and dining room. It was these stunning features and the size of the master bedroom that drew them to this home. They have maintained the “archway” theme in the fireplace and kitchen cabinetry. Being boaters, they have made their home to reflect their love of the water and includes many Lyman boat pictures. Note the porthole windows in the pantry doors. The Christmas trees are adorned with nautical and antique ornaments and Cindy has a nutcracker collection displayed throughout the home.
Nicholas & Lisa Pike – 1614 Milan Road – The home was built in 1920 and they have lived in the home for 3 years. The home in the beginning until 2017 belonged to the Silvani family. Leroy Silvani, the final family owner, was a Perkins High School teacher and coach before becoming a well known and respected interior designer. He also served as a Sandusky city commissioner, holding the positions of vice-president and then president. The Pikes were drawn to the home because of its size, being great for a family, and its location. Also because it was a fixer- upper due to the fact that the house had sat empty and then had two interim owners who did makeshift alterations to the home before the Pikes purchased it. You will notice the upstairs is in transition now. Throughout the home you will find antiques, a good amount of local memorabilia and pictures, many drawn by Lisa.
Christopher & Susan Oppelt – 209 Fulton Street – The home was built in 1844, originally constructed as one of 3 limestone grammar schools. Eleutheros and Martha Cooke were instrumental in securing monies and having erected the schools to educate early Sandusky’s children. Used for a variety of purposes after it was no longer used as school, finally Benny Byington remodeled the structure to the home it is today before selling it to the Oppelts. They have owned the home for 4 years and were drawn to its historic nature, the fact that it was an early Sandusky limestone and its charm. Among the decorations, you will see Susan’s Santa collection.
Robert & Jeanne Lawrence – 511 Fulton Street – The home was built in 1903 and they have lived in the home for 53 years. Bob has spent decades adding to the character and charm of this cozy, warm home, consistent with its age and style. In the living room, a fireplace and flanking bookcases have been added. It was the fine woodwork, all original hardwood floors, the unique staircase and inviting front porch that first drew them to this home. Certain updated features like the expanded remodeled kitchen still contribute to the aura of this home. The home is filled with numberible Christmas trees and displays Jeannie’s collection of Santas and cookie jars The backyard is decorated for Christmas and features an outdoor fireplace. Across the street at their 4 car garage, you will find 3 antique cars, a model train and additional decorations.
Paul & Tammy Wilke – 1426 Wayne Street -The home was built in 1927 and they have lived in the home for 38 years. The home was the home of the Ahner family of Ahner Industrial Fabricating & Sheet Metal, and has a relaxed charm and elegance. The great kitchen, double front and back staircases and the neighborhood drew them to this home. There are family heirloom pieces within the home and they have added additional moldings and woodwork to enhance the beauty and charm appropriate to the era of the home. The backyard and converted garage, as an auxiliary entertaining space complete with a secondary kitchen, are also decorated for Christmas. The bar in this area is an actual bow of a Lyman boat.
Masonic Temple Association – 304 Wayne Street – The Lodge met in the Townsend House Hotel on the northwest corner of Market and Decatur Streets in Sandusky’s earliest years. Mr Townsend was a mason and the original Eastern Star Chapter was named Eleanor in honor of his wife. Later, the Lodge met on the third floor of the Cooke Building on the northeast corner of Market and Columbus Avenue. In 1889, the Grand Lodge of Ohio laid the cornerstone for the current building, and dedicated it as a Masonic Temple in 1890. Originally the first and second floors were rented and the Lodge used the upper three floors. A fire in 1943 destroyed the top two floors and the towers on the northeast and northwest corners. Being during World War II, man power, materials and money were at a premium. The structure was redesigned with the Lodge room on the second floor along with a social room and an open area for patriotic display.. Upper floors feature themed Christmas trees and nativity set as well as trees that honor service personnel and past or present brothers.
Disclaimer: The home owners and organization mentioned in the ticket disclaim any liability for any bodily injury or damage to property which may occur during the tour to which the ticket applies. Those participating do so at their own risk and responsibility.
To learn more, call the Old House Guild at 419-627-0640, or email:
tourofhomes@oldhouseguild.org
ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE OLD HOUSE GUILD OF SANDUSKY
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