Staff Report/Jefferson Jimplecute
The annual Jefferson Candlelight Tour of Homes kicks off this weekend.
Sponsored by the Jefferson Historic Foundation, the yearly event opened Thursday, Dec. 1.
Tours will take place Friday and Saturday from 4-8 p.m. Home tours will resume next Thursday, Dec. 8.
Ensuing tours will be open next Friday and Saturday as well.
For ticket information, visit www.jeffersoncandlelight.com.
This year’s tour will include four local homes decorated for the holidays.
Tour properties include:
Urquhart House
301 E. Walker Street
This impressive Queen Anne Victorian home has been the Urquhart House ever since Allen Urquhart, grandson and namesake of Jefferson founder Allen Urquhart, built the home.
Allen Urquhart and his wife had four children. His oldest son, John McNeil Urquhart moved his family to his father’s land in Jefferson and raised five children. Their youngest son was named Allen Urquhart after his grandfather.
In 1890, Allen, the grandson, decided to move an 1841 ferry a and once family home from Houston Street and use it for a starting foundation for his new home. The wrap-around porch was constructed with marble floors and the house had stained glass windows in every room, and even in some of the gables of the house. The interior features spacious rooms, high ceilings and a dramatic staircase.
The Urquhart House has been through many owners. In the 1980’s the roof line was expanded and a balcony was added. In 2004, the gardens were expanded with ponds and waterfalls. They once held a grass tennis court.
The current owner, Kathleen Quan, has a passion for gardening and is bringing back the beautiful grounds of Urquhart house as well as the home. She cannot wait to share it with visitors.
Scarlett O’Hardy’s
410 E. Taylor Street
Scarlett O’Hardy’s is a neo-Greek Revival home which stands in stately fashion at the corner of Taylor and Main streets, overlooking historic Christ Episcopal Church and Lions Park.
Owner Bobbie Hardy and her late husband, Randy, were diligent in their efforts to re-create the Old South and the 1800’s style.
Adapting the style of the 1800’s with today’s amenities and conveniences, and keeping in mind historic homes of Jefferson, the owners worked closely with David Wallace of Gladewater to create Scarlett O’Hardy’s.
Among the owner’s favorite things is a walnut desk once owned by Jefferson resident and Texas governor Charles A. Culberson and taken in trade by A.R. Hardy of Atlanta, Texas, who owned a mercantile in Jefferson; the chopping block from Bookout Grocery in Hillsboro, Texas; family-made quilts; tramp art; a collection of family photographs dating from the mid-1800s; a collection of Christmas cookie jars in the breakfast room; and a one-of-a-kind cypress knee Nativity.
LSM Cottage
506 Moseley Street
The LSM Cottage, on the corner of Moseley and Bridge streets, is where an original house dating back prior to 1872 once stood.
LSM Cottage is Greek Revival with two gables on the roof and a large sweeping porch on the front wrapping around one side. It was newly constructed in 2021.
The interior trim is country Greek with a large open floor plan. The wood used for the mantle and man-cave bathroom counter is from the original 1800 beams taken from the Jefferson Carnegie Library during renovation. The shelf in the man-cave is a 150 year-old floor joist from Walnut Street Antiques. The wood used on the walls, windows and gables are from houses that have been rebuilt elsewhere in Jefferson.
LSM is a combination of Lamar, Sherry, Lillie and Millie Mask and has been a family business name for over 30 years. Lamar and Sherry wanted to retire in Texas to be near cousins. Once their son and daughter-in-law decided to relocate to Jefferson, the rest is history.
Although the structure is new construction, it is filled with family treasures. They have been collecting Christmas decorations for 36 years with a large Santa and fairy collection along with Department 56 houses and Madame Alexander Christmas dolls.
Angell Manor
502 E. Taylor Street
Also known by other names such as EverMay Inn or the Little Schluter House, this house faces Lions Club City Park and is located on one of the largest properties in Jefferson.
According to information in the Wise files at the Carnegie Library, this home was built by Louis Smith Schluter in 1911.
The house is of Queen Anne Victorian Free Classic style. During the 1930s, the house was rented as a duplex with a small, shared kitchen and a common dining area in the central hall.
After several ownership changes and a period of vacancy, the house fell into disrepair until it was purchased and restored in 1994. In addition to restoring the house, the three outbuildings were refurbished and a large kitchen was added which is now one of the loveliest kitchens in Jefferson.
The main house plan is a traditional “dog trot” or central hall style. The home features an expansive wrap-around porch. Several rooms have crown and dental moldings on the tall ceilings. Other architectural features include large pocket doors and gingerbread filigree in the foyer. New owners, Steve and Kim Shaw are restoring and making improvements to the home, and are excited to show off their hard work at this years Candlelight Tour Of Homes.