Tour of Homes Raises Funds for Canton's Less Fortunate Seniors

Just in time for the holiday season, the Ball Ground Business & Community Association next month will host its 2014 Tour of Historical Homes.

The annual event features seven of north Georgia’s hidden treasures from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.

The tour starts with the Wheeler House at 510 Gilmer Ferry Road in Ball Ground.

Ticket prices are $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the event. Advanced tickets may be purchased at Martin’s General Store in downtown Ball Ground, Ball Ground City Hall and Fun Finds & Designs in south Canton. You can also purchase tickets via PayPal on the Association’s website.

The association is partnering with Cherokee County Volunteer Aging Council as its chosen charity. A portion of this year’s proceeds be donated to VAC, which is the fundraising arm of the Cherokee County Senior Services Department.

The Wheeler House, Cherokee County’s premier wedding and special event venue, located in the heart of Ball Ground. This home, built in 1906, was beautifully renovated in 2010 by local resident Lee Lusk. The facility encompasses true southern charm with its meaningfully preserved, yet restored grounds, house, house and barn.

New for this year’s tour is the Christmas Gift House, which offers unique and charming gift ideas for those on shoppers’ Christmas list. This 1900’s two-story Queen Victoria style home in Ball Ground’s Historic District is a must see and a shoppers delight.

The Anderson-Bowles Home, built in 1900, is a showcase of Victorian design. Originally a working farm, the home features a barn, smokehouse, blacksmith shop and garage. The interior has beaver board and batten board throughout the house. The kitchen, now used by owner Sylvia Bowles, was formerly a side porch.

Nestled on a hill up a shady lane is the Prettyman Farm. A well-known north Georgia couple, Lee and Judy Pretttyman share their three acre farm with the Pretty Pac Alpacas that graze on the land that was once part of the Greene property dating back to 1890.

This stately home was built in 1979 by Carrol and Ann Nix. The attached gazebo looks out over the Prettyman’s six alpacas who roam their three acre farm.

Located at 140 Blackwell Street is the Popham Home. Built in 1960 by James Howell, this brick traditional ranch has been home to Mark and Joan Popham since 1975. A sun room and den have been added and renovations continue inside and out. Miss Joan’s favorite time of year is Christmas and you can be sure that she has decorations to delight guests this holiday season.

The Haithcock Home is a lovely brick ranch that was constructed in 1970 by owners Richard and Sharon Haithcock. The home was built in two stages, starting with the lower level. The upper level was completed in 1974 and has been occupied by the Haithcock’s three children. Updates have been made throughout the years to include a sunroom, hardwood floors, cabinets and appliances.

Mountain Brook Farm was constructed in 2005 by Mike and Diane Smith. The Charleston-style home features double front porches and is surrounded by woodland gardens and pastures

The farm offers views of Pine Log and Sharp mountains and is filled with homemade decorations, a village scene, miniature trees as well as a large Victorian tree in the parlor. Themed rooms include Coach Mike’s Smith’s sports room, a Western room and a toy room.

As a special added attraction, a wonderful model train display, presented by the Atlantic Coast S Gauger’s model train club will be on display in the Zeeman building on Main Street.

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