Washington Chamber of Commerce hosts Tour of Homes

The Washington Chamber of Commerce Tour of Homes went country this year to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Sponsored by the Washington Chamber of commerce, this year’s homes were a special edition that featured homes out in the country. Held Dec. 4-5, the tour offered visitors an opportunity to see homes from the past and homes from the present.

Featured in the tour was Bob and Diane Gallagher’s home located at 2511 190th St. The 19th century home was built in 1891 by Capt. James B. Gallagher.

“He bought 320 acres for $12,500. I think that it was amazing that someone that just got out of the Civil War could come here and buy that much land,” said Diane Gallagher of the home.

“There are four generations of Gallaghers that have lived in this home, and five generations of Gallaghers farming the land,” explained Gallagher of the previous owners of the home.

When asked of the updates and renovations made by them in the home, Gallagher explained, “The main section of the home is original, with an en suite master bedroom, and bathroom were added on in 2019. We have lived in this house since the 80’s. We have done a lot of upgrading, we redid the kitchen completely, added the entertainment center in the living room and added the master bedroom, and bathroom just off of the living area.”

Next on the tour was a 2012 built home of Craig and Tina Montz at 2351 190th St. This new home features woodwork salvaged from the St. James Rectory. The new home has a very vintage feel with its salvaged staircase and homey touches.

The home of Mike and Katie Norman, at 1850 170th St. in Wellman was built on the family farm in 2014. It is decorated with multiple Christmas trees throughout the home.

The last home on the tour was that of Scott and Cassie Goodwin, located at 2266 Highways 1 and 22. This is the fourth home that they have built and was finished in 2019. It is situated on beautiful acreage with an amazing view of the surrounding countryside.

Homes were not the only things featured in this anniversary edition tour, there were two business that were also open to view. Wooden Wheel Vineyards, located at 1179 Highway 92 in Keota and the Repurpose It shop located at 107 W. 2nd St.

The proceeds for the tour of homes are used to expand and improve the holiday lights seen throughout Washington. Since 2018 the Washington Chamber has invested in upgrading to LED lights and has invested in more than $35,000 into the community’s holiday light show with approximately 5,500 linear feet of holiday lighting.