History will be a recurring theme of this year’s annual Tour of Homes sponsored by the Farmersville Historical Society.

 

The home of Gibbs and Grace Wisdom, now owned by their son, Allen Wisdom, is one of five homes featured on the tour and is located at 417 Jackson St.

 

The home represents the typical 1940s wood frame home that was prevalent throughout Farmersville in the past.

 

The house is one of three that was built on Block 7 of the Pendleton addition, purchased by Gibbs and Grace Wisdom in 1945 at a cost of $300.  

 

Mr. Wisdom sold half of the block for $200 and then secured $2000 to build the home with monthly payments of $18 until paid in full.  

 

The $2000 loan allowed the Wisdoms to build a five-room wood frame structure including a bathroom and two porches.

 

 Though the original structure had a bathroom, it was several years before it was completely functional as a bathroom.  

 

In the 1960s, the Wisdoms replaced the back porch with a den and additional half-bath. Though quite small, the home was the habitat of the Wisdoms and their three sons – Hobart, Allen and Larry – and continued to be the family home until 1993. 

 

Ruby Ruth Wisdom, sister of Gibbs Wisdom, also resided there for 13 years.

 

Since then, Allen and Larry Wisdom have worked to restore the home to its original appearance. 

 

The family enjoys meeting there for holidays and special occasions and they often reminisce about growing up in Farmersville on Jackson Street. 

 

The home is now decorated with furniture that has served many family members through the years, including Josie Hickman’s bedroom suite purchased when she and John Hickman moved to town as well as some furniture pieces made by Gibbs Wisdom.

 

The home will feature many holiday family favorites including Grace Wisdom’s bear tree, Aunt Josie’s aluminum tree from 1962, and decorations that adorned family trees during the 1950s.

 

“We also have family members who will be dressed up in period clothing for the tour,” Allen Wisdom said.

The tour will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 12.

 

Other stops on the tour will include the Bain-Honaker house located at 108 College St., the First United Methodist Church located at 206. N. Main St., the Jeff and Shirley Wilburn home located at 14033 CR 567, and the Mark and Peggy Carmichael home located 2171 FM 2194. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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