Old Homes, New Heights

Seminole Heights opened its front porches to about 600 visitors for the 13th Annual Old Seminole Heights Home Tour.

The featured homes are kept a secret until the day of the tour when the visitors receive the brochure that lists the owners and detailed descriptions of their homes. Guests trekked to 10 different homes by trolley, foot or bicycle.

The tour attracts repeat and first-time visitors year-after-year.  One attendee, Jan Pattee, was raised in Seminole Heights. She now lives in Orlando and discovered the tour four years ago while doing research on her old neighborhood. She’s made the trip every year since.

“It’s nice to come back to the old neighborhood and see how the houses are remodeled,” she said. “It’s warm and friendly here.”

First time visitor and Seminole Heights resident Ana Lopez came to get ideas and see how each individual owner’s style is reflected in their home.

“I enjoy getting a glimpse into how people maintained these historic homes, but still made it their own.”

Laura Donaldson of 112 W. Comanche Ave. anticipated questions about updates she made to her 1922 American Four Square.  Donaldson and her husband, Chris, compiled a list of the various vendors that they have used, as well as the paint colors on the interior and exterior of the home.

“So many people have questions about paint colors, and where did you get this or that,” said Laura. “The list makes a better, more convenient experience for homeowners and participants.”

Home tour chair Cathy Simon said that she has heard nothing but positive reviews about this year’s tour.

“It was fantastic,” said Simon. “The weather, the homes and the people were all fantastic.”