York, Clover host holiday home tours

Historic homes in York and Clover will be open to the public this weekend, as community groups in the two communities host their annual Christmas home tours.

▪  The Yorkville Historical Society will host its Christmas in Olde York home tour from 3 to 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and Dec. 13.

▪  The Christmas in Historic Clover Tour, presented by the Clover Woman’s Club, will be 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13.

Both tours feature distinctive homes decorated for the holidays, and other sites rich in local history.

The York tour includes the 110 E. Liberty St. home of Gary and Paulajo Gross. The 5,100-square foot house, built in 1843 by Dr. J. M. and Louisa Lowry, is one of a few in the upcountry built in the Italianate style. It was once known as “the showplace of York,” according to the historical society.

And the Clover tour includes the circa 1846 Bigger house, owned by Kim and Tony Trainer at 233 Catamount Drive, Clover. The two-story blue house, built by James Bigger for his widowed sister, sits near the Five Points intersection at S.C. 274 and 49.

Yorkville Historical Society home tour

Tickets for the York home tour are $15 for a two-day pass, or $12 by 2 p.m. Dec. 12.

Tickets are available in advance and on tour days at the Greater York Chamber of Commerce, 23 E. Liberty St., York, or by calling 803-684-2590. Those who pay their society membership dues or already have a 2016 membership card can get the tickets for a discounted rate of $10.

In addition to the Gross home, other tour sites include Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 108 E. Liberty St.; and the homes of David and Lisa McKenzie, 112 E. Liberty St.; Charles and Cynthia Bradford, 6 College St.; Jayne Hassel, 202 E. Liberty St.; and Patrick Dandridge and Cyndi Mitchell, 105 E. Liberty St.

The tour also will feature J.H. Leake Furniture Makers, 1740 Filbert Highway, York, which is celebrating 60 years in business.

Parking signs will be posted along East Liberty Street. Refreshments and restrooms are available at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd and the York chamber office.

For information on historical society membership, call Jan Ramsey at 803-684-3844 or Scott Hollis at 803-610-8035.

Clover Woman’s Club home tour

The Clover Woman’s Club tour features several 19th-century homes and the landmark Jackson’s Kitchen, owned by Mike Barrett, at 304 N. Main St., downtown Clover.

In addition to the Bigger house, other tour sites include the circa 1890 Magnolia House, known as the S.A. Sifford house, owned by Laura Brewer, 221 N. Main St., Clover; and the 1859 Martin Tate house, owned by Derrick and Tracie Miller, 2760 Lincoln Road, York.

Also included are two new Clover event venues, Red Boot Ranch, owned by Randy and Holt Harris, 1200 Peach Orchard Road, Clover; and Iron Gate Horse Farm, with manager Donnie Burris, 649 Bellegray Road, off Ridge Road, Clover.

The cost is $10 for a two-day pass, available from club members, Good Things Consignments & More, The Palmetto House and the Greater Clover Chamber of Commerce. For details, go to cloverwomansclub.com or email hello@cloverwomansclub.com.

Proceeds go toward scholarships for young women graduating from Clover High School.

This story was originally published December 8, 2015 at 5:06 PM with the headline "York, Clover host holiday home tours."