SBCHA 2008 Holiday Tour of Homes: Check This Out!

Holiday Tour of Homes 2008

By Kimberly Warren

Eight spectacular homes located in Bedford County will be included in the Holiday Tour of Homes scheduled for Sunday (Dec. 7) from 2 to 6 p.m.

In accordance with the holiday season, the homes will adorn beautiful decorations and most will sparkle with Christmas lighting.

These homes are among the biggest and best in Wartrace, Bell Buckle and Shelbyville and include several older historical homes as well as some newer ones.

The following is a short listing about the homes and owners:

John & Rosalind Roche - The Henry A. Clark House, commonly known as The Castle - 4615 Hwy 64-E, Wartrace: With the help of Historic Preservationists Paul Cross and Richard Quinn, this spectacular house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. It is described as a vernacular adaptation of the late Queen Anne style, featuring a circular corner turret with conical tin roof; gabled bay ends; a wraparound porch on two sides supported by small Ionic columns, the deck paved with small black & white marble tiles; tall corbelled chimneys and stone window hoods. The interior features include rebated-panel doors, two wainscoted staircases, large pocket doors, eight fireplaceswith mantels and over-mantels, and stained glass windows.

What is fascinating about this house is its history.

In 1903, construction of The Castle was completed at a cost, according to Henry A. Clark's postcard, of $10,000. Clark was born in Wartrace in 1857. He married Lizzy Cunningham in 1885, was Deacon of Bethsalem Presbyterian Church, Wartrace and Vice President of First National Bank, Wartrace. The Castle is thought to be most likely designed by the same architect who built a very similar house in Shelbyville and a mirror image of the house which became incorporated into the King's Hotel in Tullahoma.

In 1933, title was surrendered to the Federal Bank of Louisville, Ky. About this time, the F. C. Hargis family purchased the property, selling it to the Byrom family in 1941.

The Shifflett family purchased it in 1973, running beef cattle and raising wheat, soybeans and corn. In 1980, John & Rosalind Roche purchased the property which at that time consisted of a little over 400 acres and they along with their six children moved into The Castle in 1981.

In the house you will see old family furnishings shipped from their home in Australia as well as Rosalind's family items from England and India. You can also see examples of Rosalind's hand painted china tiles on walls and a floor and her oil paintings of the family and local scenes. It is truly a house to see!

John and Mary Ann Davis -- 211 Wildcreek Rd., Shelbyville : The Davis home is 'going to the dogs' this Christmas. As new 'empty-nesters', they now share their home with three Labradors, an elderly chow, and a black & white Shi tzu named Killer. They decided to honor the Humane Association's Tour of Homes by decorating their home with pets in mind, particularly, dogs.

The traditional multi-level brick home, completed in February 1996, sets in a secluded wooded area on a 97-acre farm. As you turn into the winding driveway you will be welcomed with 'pet friendly' vignettes and once inside served refreshments that will delight the pet lover in you. The Davis's partnered with the creative genius of interior designer, Calvin Cannon, to make sure your visit is memorable and helps put you in the 'howl-i-day' spirit.

David and Pat Evans - 181 West Road, Wartrace : This home is a stately two story colonial with a circle drive and situated on 16 scenic acres in rural Bedford County. It contains 7500 square feet with a full basement, gorgeous landscaping and an in ground pool complete with bathing fountain. Upon entering, visitors will be welcomed through the marble foyer and grand circular cherry staircase. This wonderful home has all the extras for gracious southern hospitality and charm.

Dan and Carol Looney - 211 Main Street East, Wartrace: Built in 1908 by E. L. Blackman, a former Mayor of Wartrace, this Colonial Revival influence, 1 ½ story house has 4200 sq ft of living space, 12 ft. ceilings on the main floor, three 8 ft. pocket doors, heart pine flooring throughout, three full baths with cast iron claw foot tubs, two half baths, five coal burning fireplaces (no longer functional), L-shaped front porch supported by Doric columns and the original oak staircase. The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. Blackman's wife Mable continued living in the house until 1966 when it was sold to Fred and Jo C Ferrell. Bill and Louise Palmer purchased the home in 1998 and remodeled extensively, updating all electrical, plumbing and heating/cooling systems. They also replaced most windows, updated the kitchen, added a central vacuum system, turned the back bedroom into a master bath and walk-in closet, refurbished/added 3 ½ additional baths, added the covered projecting gable dormer over the front entrance, turned the back porch into a sunroom and built a large storage building/garage. In 2002, Joyce Campbell purchased the home and turned it into Sugar Babes Restaurant and Bed and Breakfast. The back yard was turned into a graveled parking lot. Dan and Carol Looney purchased the home in 2005 and returned it to a private residence. They have completely repainted and redecorated the interior and exterior, replaced almost all lighting fixtures, refinished the wood floors, updated some bath fixtures, screened in the added back porch, reroofed with a metal roof and plan to fence/landscape the backyard. The house is decorated in an eclectic/traditional style with art and furniture from the Looney's world travels.

Kevin and Sharon Cochrane -- 705 Alton Avenue, Shelbyville: This beautiful old home was owned by Thompson Hiles Berry for 76 years. In 1902 or 1903 they Berrys added a room downstairs and an upstairs bedroom, giving the structure an L-shaped floorplan. Mrs. Ida Camp Berry Cunningham (Mrs. Claude) inherited the property from her parents and she and Mr. Cunningham made it their home until 1961 when it was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Don W. Rappleye who completely renovated, repaired and restored all the original features combining modern living with the grace and charm of the past. Kevin and Sharon Cochrane and their 3 children have called the property home since 1998.The home still contains the original beautiful carved oak woodwork. Much of the original colored and clear glass is still in the windows and the Cochranes added approximately 1000 square feet on the back of the home as well as a guest house to the west of the home. The home was owned previously by Catherine and Chuck Esary from 1990 to 1998 and by Barbara and Clarence Lamb, Jr. from 1975 to 1990.

Emily and Eben Bryant - 508 East Lane Street, Shelbyville: Named the Lane Street Inn, this beautiful Colonial Greek-Revival mansion which is reminiscent of "Tara" from Gone With the Wind, is located on nearly three acres shaded by century-old Maple trees. Soaring columns invite you past a red door into a grand hall flanked by spacious parlors and brightly lit sunrooms all painted in historically-accurate colors. Reportedly built in 1920 by John Hutton, the Bryants have substantially renovated the home to be the Lane Street Inn bed and breakfast offering beautiful surroundings for weddings, receptions and corporate events.

Gary Ashley and Terry Ingle - 517 Belmont Ave., Shelbyville: This house is a 1 ½ story Victorian home with a wraparound porch. The house was constructed in November, 1909 by R.L. Jones. Written on the front of the house when the old siding was replaced was information from the first owners Clarence and Bessy Shoffner, who raised three girls in the house - Hazel L. Shoffner Godwin, Bessy Mae Shoffner Hudson, and Francis Shoffner, also their grandson Claud L. Godwin. Clarence Shoffner was a Postmaster in Shelbyville.

The second family that lived in the home was Mr. and Mrs. Tom Cohurn and one son, Jimmy. Mr. Cohurn ran a five and dime store on the square up town.

The house has been completely restored by owners Gary Ashley and Terry Ingle. The upstairs is still in renovation. The house has all original wood work and two fire places.

Lorie West -- 193 Bynum Rd., Bell Buckle: Custom built in 2007, this exquisite 4 bedroom home has hardwood and tile flooring throughout. As you enter the front door the wide trim, crown molding, columns & arched doorways catch the eye. From the foyer the cozy den with built in bookcases invites you to sit by the gas log fireplace & unwind from the day. The gourmet kitchen provides just the right ingredients for those home cooked meals. The kitchen features many cabinets with granite tile counter tops & backsplashes. At the end of the day, the large master suite is the perfect "get away" with its travertine tile floors and elegant shower & Jacuzzi tub, with jets and lights. The master suite also features a large walk in closet. Upstairs there are three bedrooms, each with their own bathroom, a large media room and a bonus room with painted mural walls set to a musical theme complete with a pool table and a black and white checkerboard stage for karaoke parties.