Caledonia Argus

Historic home, farm tours Sunday

Posted: 5/18/04

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

This Sunday will be a great time to see some interesting and historic homes in the Caledonia area, and help the Sesquicentennial program at the same time.

The Sesquicentennial Historic Home and Century Farm Tour takes place May 23 from 1-4 p.m. Itís a fundraiser for the fur-trade rendezvous that will take place during the Sesquicentennial June 11-13 at the fairgrounds.

Tickets, maps, and brochures for the tour can be purchased for $5 at the AmericInn starting at noon on Sunday. (Children under five are free.) Van transportation will be available for the homes.

Tickets and information can be bought at each home or farm during the tour times.

Four homes and two farms will be open to tour. Four other homes can be viewed from the outside.

Here is information on the homes that will be open.

ï The John and Barb Haverty home, 708 East Main, was built in 1872. It contains caves, and a 12-foot-high Indian sculpture.The Havertys bought it in 2003.

ï The Mark and Deb Krause home, 624 East Main, is commonly known as the Duxbury residence, after the three generations of that prominent family that lived there. It was built in 1880 in three stages, and was known for its grand Christmas parties. It has many French doors, a servants quarters, a double-deck porch, and a butlersí pantry. The Krauses bought it in 1997.

ï The Lyle and Mary Ellen Lapham home, 204 West Main, is often known as the Robert D. Sprague home. The Georgian Revival style home was built in 1904 and is on the National Registry of Historic Places. It has a large porch across the south, supported by brick columns that are capped with a decorative plaster cast. There is a sun porch on the second level. The front entry has elongated diamond, leaded, beveled glass windows. The staircase is in original condition. The Laphams bought it in 1983.

ï The Duane and Judy St. Mary home, 14096 State 76, was Pete and Margaretís Tavern from 1948-1971. There was a golf course on the land in 1948. Its small bar and restaurant was known for fried chicken, homestyle dinners, and card games. It became a private residence in 1972. The St. Marys will have a picture display to remember the way it was, and Duaneís mother, Ragnhild, will demonstrate krumkaka baking. Elaine Fisch, daughter of Pete and Margaret, will serve as greeter.

ï The Colonel Goodman S. and Winnifred Branch home is located at 224 West Main. Built in 1900 by E. A. Sprague, it is on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Two farms open

Here is information on the farms that will be open:

ï The George and Mary Jane Hendel farm, 14913 Gap Drive, was started by Nicholas Hendel of Dellen, Luxembourg, who settled in Caledonia Township in 1869. It passed down to his son, George, who started a herd of registered Brown Swiss cows in 1922. He also raised and sold registered seed oats. George and Hilda (Thill) had two sons, George and Harold, who took over the farm. Karl and Matt, sons of George and Mary Jane (Huesmann), farm it now as an award-winning Holstein and Brown Swiss dairy operation.

ï The Dale and Carol Jean Horn home is located at 22863 Portland Prairie Road. To get there, go west on Highway 44, turn left on Highway 76 toward Eitzen, and continue for about four miles. The home has been in Carolís family since they came from Rhode Island and Massachusetts in the 1850s. The present house was built in 1891. Carolís grandmother, Bertha, operated a telephone switchboard there from 1905-1921. The farm has always been a beef and hog operation, plus the Horns raise corn, hay, and soybeans.

Others on tour

Other homes that can be viewed in a drive by, with history listed in the brochure are:

ï Bruce and Diane Bulman home, 117 North Decorah; the former home of Robert and Madge Sprague.

ï Todd and Suzanne Roesler home, 120 North Ramsey; the former home of John Rippe III and Alice Sprague.

ï Neil and Shirley Morey home, 103 North Sprague; built in the 1870s and known as ìMount Vernon, and the home of Delevan and Albina Sprague.

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