On Saturday, Dec. 7 from 2-5 p.m., the GFWC History Club of Whitesboro will host its annual holiday Tour of Homes.
For just $15 a ticket, people can peruse five lovely buildings on this year’s tour. Decorated for the holidays, each location has a history to share and a story to tell.
This year’s tour will also feature one business, Lovejoys on Main, which will offer a 10% discount on purchases with proof of tour ticket.
Tickets can be purchased from any History Club member, at Lovejoys on Main or at any location on the tour. Proceeds benefit local scholarships.
This year’s locations include:
411 Water Street in Whitesboro
Cindy Pena’s home was built in 1930. Her Christmas decorations are traditional: red for the blood of Jesus that was shed and white for Jesus’ purity. As a young girl, she always loved old homes. When she had the chance to buy this one, she took it.
414 W. Main Street in Whitesboro
Joyce LaPorte remodeled this 3 bedroom, 1 bath house where she lives with her two dogs and one cat.
422 Old Center Church Road in Whitesboro
The Marchessaults’ home was built in 1975 on approximately 15 acres of land as one of the very few homes in the immediate area. The street acquired its name as it was the main road into a small town that existed here in early 1800s with a small church nearby. They purchased the home in January of 2023 from the original owners, grateful for the humble home, surrounding property and gardens which now sit on 8.5 acres. The Marchessaults consider this a North Texas jewel in a wonderful area. The original owners were well-known and respected members of the Civic and Church community in Whitesboro, and the Marchessaults have learned much of their family story. They were especially pleased to find out that Christmas and decorating for it was a dear value of theirs. The Marchessaults’ decorations and decorating style have always been best described as “vintage” with collections of inherited and purchased decorations from days of old and that bring one back to an earlier time in an America of Christmas memories. They invite you to share in their appreciation of creating a Christmas ambiance and hope you enjoy the festive atmosphere.
788 Pine Grove Road in Gordonville
Homeowners Bill and Katherine Bullock moved to the area in 2004. They bought their home on Pine Grove Road and added a 24x24 sunroom. In 2006, the sunroom was made into a Christmas village room. The village has a train, downtown area, lake and river complete with boats, its own mountain range with forestry and cabins, several Bed and Breakfasts, a ranch house and so much more. The village collection had over 2,000 pieces and has been added to over the past 17 years. The Bullocks were married 25 years until Bill’s death in 2021.
138 E. Main Street in Whitesboro (Lovejoys on Main)
If 138 E. Main Street could talk, we would hear echoes of farmers looking for supplies at Brookshear’s Feed and Seed, trading going on for cream, eggs and hens. In its first days, Marshalls Buggy and Wagon occupied the space and provided the transportation of the day as well as housing the small US Post Office on the northwest corner.
If the bricks could talk, they would share about the meals and conversations shared at the White Rose cafe, a candy shop followed by another restaurant (owned by Paul Briley) that charred the ceiling with either a fire or maybe just poor ventilation.
During the 50’s and 60’s, National Supply operated out of the building leaving traces of blue and yellow. In the late 60’s, Joe Green upholstered couches, chairs and more at 138 E. Main, giving the homes in Whitesboro a new look while keeping the old.
Bill and Vivian Young purchased the building in 1970 and began offering fabric and clothing to the women of Whitesboro and surrounding towns as an extension of Whitesboro Manufacturing Co., Inc. (which began in 1954). They installed a cutting table in the back of the building to expand their garment manufacturing operations. Hank Lovejoy (their son-in-law) ran that portion of the business.
As years passed, Bill and Vivian sold the business to their daughter, Rita, and Hank who moved the sewing machines into the building and eventually decided to leave the garment manufacturing to serve the local community by bringing back the many aspects that 138 E. Main had provided through the years.
The front of the store was renovated in 1993 to offer home décor in addition to ladies’ clothing. A kids’ area was added (even housing candy for a time); a café has provided not just a good meal, but the opportunity for conversation and the growing of “community.” The Soda Fountain and bakery have only added to the sweetness of this history-loaded building.
As for transportation, Lovejoys on Main has definitely become a destination – not coming in horse and buggy but driving miles and miles. People make a place and 138 E. Main Street has been a gathering spot for those in Grayson County and surrounding areas for over 100 years. Lovejoys on Main continues this tradition of being a point of meeting. It is a place where family are friends and friends are like family.