Admit it: You sometimes drive out of your way to cruise Dayton’s historic neighborhoods, looking at beautiful homes and gardens, staring in awe at glorious testaments to workmanship the likes of which haven’t been seen in one hundred years. Yeah. Me too. No, we are not a crazy neighborhood creepers, we are HouseNerds and O’ Happy Day! It’s Historic District Holiday Tour time in Dayton and I’m giddy with excitement. Watch this space for the next few weeks as we bring you details of Holiday Tours in several of Dayton’s most beloved historic districts including McPherson Town, Grafton Hill, and the Oregon District. Today, we look at McPherson Town.

McPherson Town is called Dayton’s oldest suburb, located just north of the river, a small community featuring Eastlake and Queen Anne style homes that is tucked just to the west of N. Main St. I spoke with neighborhood resident and Holiday Tour contact person, Rick, about the tour and what he loved about McPherson Town. A resident for two years, Rick said he liked the location “It’s within walking distance to all the cultural venues in Dayton,” but more than that, Rick described the “closeness of the community. We have an active community life with a neighborhood cookout in the summer, monthly dining-out get togethers, and community gardening. It’s really a wonderful place, and I couldn’t ask for more from a neighborhood.”

Curious to find out more about this community and the beautiful homes? The McPherson Town Holiday Tour will be held Thanksgiving weekend on the evenings of Friday November 26th & Saturday November 27th, 2010. This is a guided tour of 10 homes, some have been opened during past tours but Rick told me that there will be a variety of home styles, ages, and sizes, and homes in various stages of repair or disrepair, including an infill house. One of the more interesting homes on the tour is one that was once a complete rehab and made the cover of “Country Living” magazine. After that it was sold, fell into disrepair, and is now being rehabbed again.

Between 500-600 guests are expected, and the tours are guided and scheduled by reservation. Reservations can be paid for in advance for best pricing. Reservations are just $12 in advance and $15 at the door. What a great way to share the beauty of Dayton’s Historic Gems with visiting friends, family, and loved ones who share your HouseNerd passion, contact either Rick or Nelson at 937-938-7176 for details, or sign up online here.

And be sure to share your post (or past) tour thoughts in the comments below.

Photo: Courtesy of McPherson Town Historic District, used with permission.