Mineola holiday tour of homes Dec. 3

The Mineola Landmark Commission and Junior Historians will host the “150 Years Under the Mistletoe” Tour of Homes on Sunday, Dec. 3 from 1-5 p.m.

Tickets are $15 and may be purchased on the day of the tour at each participating home. The tickets may also be purchased ahead of time from any Landmark Commission member or at Mineola City Hall. Proceeds from the tour will benefit Iron Horse Square and Junior Historian projects. 

Three homes will be on the tour. The Henry home, recently purchased in 2022 by Leslie and Scott Henry, will represent the first 50 years of Mineola history. It is located at 411 E. Kilpatrick St. and was said to be built in 1910 by some records and in 1913 by others.

The home is an example of the Colonial Revival architectural style with a hipped roof and is of high historical priority. Dr. Samuel Cloud Noble and his wife Mollie had the home built, and William Richard Sibley was the contractor. Mr. Sibley also built the home at the corner of Blair and Sycamore Streets for his daughter while living in the home next door to that house on Blair. His home is thought to be the oldest home in Mineola built ca. 1888. By the late 1950s, attorney Harry Jones and his wife owned the beautiful home on Kilpatrick, and in the 1980s the home served as a venue for teas, luncheons, etc. The Henrys are doing a fabulous job as they continue to preserve the beauty of this Mineola treasure. 

Representing the second 50 years is the home owned by Terri and Scott Baker at 615 N. Johnson Street. They purchased the home in 2015 while living in Dallas, and after doing renovations to restore the home, have just recently moved in.

It is a Usonian style home built in the mid-1950s. The architect of the home, Davis Wilcox, was a very noted architect. He is also responsible for the design of several homes in the Tyler area. The style of the home’s design was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright. The original owners of the home were Tom and Mary Reitch who built it as their retirement home. They were Mineola graduates and icons of the Mineola community. Mary was also a graduate of Texas Woman’s University and a retired Mineola school teacher. Her husband, Tom, was a Texas A&M graduate and an engineer. Mary was an amateur painter, and one of her paintings is displayed at the residence. Their legacy lives on in this beautiful home and in the Reitch Trust, which continues to provide scholarships to Mineola graduates. Mary also left a $3.9 million trust to TWU. Terri and Scott have done a wonderful job preserving the character of this home of high historical significance. They have added landscaping and sitting areas outside to compliment the home’s style.  The furnishings in the home are designs by Heywood Wakefield, Eames and Herman Miller which perfectly capture the mid-century modern lifestyle. For the Mineola area, this home is truly a ‘one of a kind’ home inside and out.

A new build finished in 2022 will represent the last 50 years. The Smith home is located at 1137 Kings Lane #100.  The Smiths moved into their new home in December 2022. 

It was built by Steve Straznicky who has plans to build more homes in the area near the Smith residence. It is the perfect example of downsizing in style. The home is 1400 square feet and is a 3-bedroom, 2-bath residence with a 2-car garage. It is perfect for the retired couple, Pete and Diane Smith. The Smiths love to decorate for Christmas in the traditional style of holly, ivy and poinsettias.

Be sure to look for the mistletoe hanging at each home as well.

All homes will be serving refreshments. Ticket stubs may be placed in a drawing for door prizes at the end of the tour. Winners will be contacted the following Monday to pick up their prizes at City Hall. Landmark Commission and Mineola Sesquicentennial merchandise will also be available.