Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 4-8 p.m.
Sunday, December 8, 2024, from 1-5 p.m.
Tickets are $10
Experience the magic of the holiday season in Abilene, Kansas, at the 47th Homes for the Holidays Tour! Immerse yourself in the festive charm of our historic community as we open the doors to beautifully adorned homes and a historic church, all showcasing the rich heritage of Abilene.
2024 Featured Homes
304 NE 13th Street – Sabrina Holland
Built in 1951 by John N. and Bernice Biggs, John was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. After the war, he managed a J.C. Penney store in Manhattan, Kansas, for ten years and later became a state inspector for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, retiring in 1985.
He passed away in October 1993 at the age of 67. Bernice worked as a secretary and bookkeeper at Kansas State University for more than 26 years. She was also a devoted member of the Seven Dolors Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir for many years. Bernice passed away in January 2002 at the age of 76. Both John and Bernice are buried at Saint Patrick’s Cemetery in Pottawatomie County, Kansas.
In 1958, Rosco R. Biggs and others sold the property to Lawrence and Martha Neaderhiser.
Lawrence and Martha Neaderhiser spent most of their married life farming in the Manchester community, where Lawrence also operated a blacksmith shop. In 1958, they moved to Abilene and purchased the home at 304 NE 13th Street. They had six daughters: Ava, Hazel (who died at age 2), Thelma and Velma (twins), Macel, and LouAnn.
After Lawrence’s death in October 1977, Martha deeded the property to her five surviving daughters—Ava Ferguson, Velma Bennett, Thelma Boyer, Macel Neaderhiser, and LouAnn Neaderhiser—in 1990.
Ava became a teacher and, along with her husband Alfred, operated the IGA store in Longford, ran the Skelly Bulk Oil dealership, and served as a bookkeeper for RHV True Value for many years.
Thelma was also a teacher and married Dale, a U.S. Army officer who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
Velma, Thelma’s twin, was both a teacher and a longtime employee of Sears and Roebuck, working for 21½ years. She was also known as an accomplished seamstress.
Macel taught at the elementary level for 40 years. She also served as a missionary teacher in the Appalachian region and was the first missionary commissioned by Emmanuel Church in Abilene.
LouAnn followed in her sisters’ footsteps and became a teacher in Chapman.
Macel and LouAnn never married and lived together in the home until Macel passed away in December 2015. LouAnn continued to reside in the house until she sold it to Sabrina Holland in October 2020. Sabrina is the current owner.
106 Naroma Court – Jim and Cindy Medina
Cleyson L. Brown was an entrepreneur who built a utility conglomerate unlike any other in Kansas, and perhaps the entire United States. He began with a small telephone exchange and, through strategic insight, expanded it into the United Telephone Company, which at one point became the largest employer in Abilene.
At the height of his success, Mr. Brown—recognized as a benevolent leader—managed a multi-million-dollar empire in telephone and electric utilities. He took a personal interest in the well-being of his employees and believed that his wealth should support community development.
Despite passing away with debts exceeding his personal assets, Brown left behind two significant legacies: the billion-dollar United Telecommunications (later known as SPRINT and EMBARQ) and the Brown Memorial Foundation, which operates a senior home and initially included a 240-acre park. Nearly one-quarter of Abilene’s population worked for Brown’s companies, including David J. Eisenhower, the father of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The Abilene Weekly Reflector reported that “Spruceway was open today for traffic,” noting that “a roadway is now being built by C. L. Brown, connecting to the new street from Buckeye.” The name “Naroma Court” was inspired by Brown’s three grandchildren (at that time): Nancy, Robert, and Max.
C. L. Brown built this Spanish-style duplex in 1926, likely as a residence for Ella Horner, a long-time employee. Miss Horner first appeared in the 1933 Abilene City Directory, listed on the west side of the property, with A. N. Young residing on the east side.
Horner began her career in 1909 as a stenographer and later took on roles such as cashier and rate clerk, working in nearly every position except as an operator. Eventually, she became Brown’s private secretary within the United Telephone Company, deeply involved in the company’s early organization. After 26 years in this role, she retired in 1935. From 1926 to 1971, Horner continued serving as secretary for the Brown Memorial Foundation, demonstrating her long-standing commitment. She passed away just 38 days after her retirement.
Over the years, the duplex at 106 Naroma Court has housed many prominent and influential individuals, including salesmen, a Chamber of Commerce director, bank presidents, a surgeon, a dentist, a county attorney, and a state representative.
514 N. Cedar St – Donald and Ruth Englehaupt, Elizabeth (Betty) Englehaupt
We credit George Hoisington with building the home at 514 N. Cedar Street, supported by key evidence—most notably a jump in the property’s tax valuation from $80 in 1884 to $580 in 1885.
George Hoisington, a prominent figure in Dickinson County, served as Sheriff, stock dealer, and auctioneer for Curtis & Co. He sold the property to Mathias Nicolay, a multi-talented businessman.
Mathias Nicolay, who opened a lumber, building materials, and coal business in December 1880 with stock valued at $8,000, was a man of diverse pursuits. A veteran of Company A, Twentieth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Nicolay mustered out in Chicago, Illinois. In addition to his military service, he farmed, engaged in merchandising, served as Dickinson County Sheriff, and operated a packing and grain business. His dedication to public service was further demonstrated by his election as County Judge in 1886 and his five-year tenure as Grant Township Trustee. Remarkably, just 15 days after purchasing the home, Nicolay sold it to Ora E. Upshaw.
Ora, married to William L. Upshaw, initially bought the property from Nicolay, only for William to sell it back four years later in 1890. The Upshaws lived varied lives—William dealt in furniture, farmed, and in 1920 moved his family to Portland, Oregon, where he became a minister.
Ownership then shifted to George Kauffman, an engineer for the Belle Springs Creamery. Known by various names—Allen, George A., Allen G., and G. Allen—he lived in the home with his wife, three daughters, son, in-laws, and brother-in-law. He later pursued a career in insurance in Pennsylvania.
On August 4, 1911, Frank Pinkham purchased the property, and the Pinkham family owned it for the next 93 years. Frank initially joined Pinkham & Son in 1902, eventually taking over the business in 1915. Following Frank’s death, his wife Lucy managed the store and proved a capable businesswoman. Upon her retirement, their twin daughters, Doris and Dorothy, continued the family legacy until the store closed in 1988 after 100 years of operation.
The Pinkham era ended in 2004 when Donald J. and Ruth E. Englehaupt acquired the home on December 4, 2004. They, along with Don’s sister Elizabeth (Betty), are the current owners, proudly maintaining this historic property.
907 NW 3rd Street – Joann Hettenbach
It is believed that this home was relocated to its current site before 1900, although no documentation has been found to confirm this. According to the current homeowner, a newspaper article once referenced the move, but it was never properly archived and has since been lost.
In the 1904-1905 Abilene City Directory, George C. Anderson and his wife, Bertha, are listed at this address. The couple owned and operated the Anderson Abstract Co. for many years. After George passed away in 1930, Bertha continued running the business until her retirement in 1951.
In 1913, Phillip and Stella Lockwood purchased the home. During their ownership, they rented the property to E. A. Purdy and his family. Eventually, the mortgage holder, Benjamin B. Foster, foreclosed on the property, forcing the Purdy family to vacate. The home was auctioned at a sheriff’s sale in January 1938, and Foster reclaimed ownership through the deed.
The abstract shows that on October 30, 1942, Benjamin B. Foster and his wife, Sheffa V., sold the property to Elmer Purdy. In June 1943, E. A. Purdy and his wife, Hermine, sold the home to Charles L. (“Les”) Saulmon. Les owned and operated the Saulmon Garage and later partnered with Vern Holt in the Holt-Saulmon Motor Co.
The abstract further documents that on May 7, 1951, Chas L. and Florence R. Saulmon sold the home back to E. A. Purdy and his wife, Hermine. Elmer Purdy had previously run Purdy’s Style Shop from the late 1920s to 1942 and later became a traveling shoe company representative. He also managed Richardson’s Shoe Store in Abilene.
In 1954, the Purdy family sold the property to Cecil Chamberlin, who retained ownership until 1974. During this period, the house was converted into a rental with three units and gained a reputation for being haunted. One tenant claimed to have heard eerie noises in the upstairs bathroom late at night, described as the sound of someone whistling. Dubbed “The Whistler,” the ghost became part of the house’s folklore. Another tenant noted that a small upstairs closet had been boarded up, fueling further speculation about the house’s mysterious past.
In 1976, Richard and Lynda Millner purchased the property to save it from demolition, referring to the project as their “bicentennial project.” They dedicated themselves to restoring the house by steaming off wallpaper, scraping old paint, and patching plaster.
Joann describes their work as a “renovation with character.” Their goal was to create a home that embraces modern comfort while preserving the charm of its historic past.
1803 S Buckeye Ave – Warren Wilson Hay (Greg & Marcia Wilson and Mark & Teresa Wilson)
Benjamin Landis came to Dickinson County with his parents in 1885 and settled just south of Abilene. On October 1, 1887, he married Miss Annie Habacker. A pioneer farmer and community leader, Benjamin, was actively involved in local affairs. The couple remained on their farm until their deaths—Benjamin passed away on June 15, 1949, at the age of 91, and Annie on October 22, 1955, at the age of 86. Both are buried at the Abilene Cemetery.
An article in the Abilene Weekly Reflector on October 29, 1908, noted, “About 90 friends of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Landis surprised them in their new residence south of town and spent a most enjoyable evening. They have one of the finest farm homes in the county and enjoy gas lights, furnace heat, hot and cold water, and other modern conveniences.”
Their son, Harrison B. Landis, and his wife, Ethel, became the next owners of the home. The Abilene Daily Reflector wedding announcement on January 19, 1920, described their marriage: “Harrison B. Landis, son of Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Landis, and Miss Ethel McCulloh, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. McCulloh, were married, with the bride’s brother, Rev. Otho J. McCulloh, officiating. They left immediately for a honeymoon trip in the East and, after April 1, would make their home on the B. F. Landis farm south of the city.”
Harrison and Ethel spent their entire married life on the farm. They were active members of the First United Methodist Church, where Ethel was the oldest living member at the time of her death on February 1, 1980. Harrison passed away on October 26, 1978. Both are buried at the Abilene Cemetery.
After their passing, Mark Wilson, brother of Greg Wilson, purchased the farm and home in 1979. He continued to work the land and lived on the property until 1994, when Lawrence and Christina Richards became the owners.
The Richards family remained in the home until 2004, when they sold it to Timrek and Tara Moore. The Moores enjoyed their time on the property until 2007, when they sold it to Sharell Otte.
In 2021, Greg and Marcia Wilson, along with Mark and Teresa Wilson, partners in Warren Wilson Hay Inc., purchased the farm and home. Greg and Marcia led efforts to restore, decorate, and furnish the house, shaping it into the home you see today.
311 S Buckeye Ave – St. Andrew’s Catholic Church
Glass has been manufactured as early as 3500 BC, with significant advancements occurring around 1500 BC in Egypt. Early glass was first used in the Middle East, and examples of glass windows—some set in wood frames—have been discovered in the ruins of Pompeii, which was buried in 79 AD. By 1087, Pope Victor III referenced the use of lead and iron to secure colored glass in windows, marking the early development of stained glass as an art form.
Initially, glass production was localized in the East, but Christian missionaries traveling from Constantinople spread the concept of mosaic glass decoration throughout new regions. Large glass sheets were difficult to transport, so artisans used small glass pieces to create intricate portraits of Christ and the Apostles.
Due to its origins, stained glass became closely associated with church art, with colored glass windows acting as “picture books” to visually convey Bible stories to congregations, many of whom were illiterate.
The Meaning of Colors in Stained Glass Windows
- Blue: Represents Heaven and signifies truth
- Red: Symbolizes blood, martyrdom, and fire
- Purple: Reflects sorrow, suffering, and royalty
- Green: Represents life and the hope of eternal life
The History of Catholicism in Abilene
Among the earliest families in the Abilene area were members of the Roman Catholic Church. In 1858, a Jesuit priest from St. Mary’s visited the area every six weeks, establishing the Catholic congregation as the oldest in Abilene.
The first religious service in Abilene was a Catholic mass, celebrated by Father Demortier, a French Jesuit from St. Mary’s, in 1860 at the Callahan Cabin. However, the congregation did not have a permanent church home until 1874, and it was many years before they secured a resident priest.
The first brick church was built in 1872 and dedicated in 1874, alongside the construction of a parsonage. This original building served the community until 1916, when the current structure was completed at a cost of $60,000, fully paid upon its completion. The interior was beautifully restored in the spring of 1993, bringing the church back to its former glory.
Interesting Facts about St. Andrew’s Church
- In 1939, parishioners hand-dug the basement using only shovels, reinforcing the structure with steel beams during the process.
- The bell in the bell tower is the oldest church bell in Abilene.
- The church’s stained-glass windows were manufactured in Munich, Germany, depicting the Mysteries of the Rosary.
Highlights of the Rose Window
- St. Patrick, Patron Saint of the Irish
- Coronation of the Blessed Mother in Heaven
- Birth of Our Lord
- Christ Child teaching in the Temple
- Pentecost – Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles
- Resurrection