WEST LIBERTY – The West Liberty Tour of Homes will be held Saturday, Oct. 21, from noon to 4 p.m. Proceeds from the tour will go to the West Liberty Business Association and the West Liberty Historical Society.
Since last year, Phase III of the Town Hall Renovation has begun on the second floor of the Town Hall in what was once the opera house and was closed to the public in the 1940s. This space is currently under construction and will soon be reopened as a Community Center for musicals, recitals, dramas, lectures and other entertainment and informational programs, as well as for private and corporate gatherings.
Next stop on the tour will be the George Franklin Bailey House, located behind the Town Hall at 112 E. Columbus St., built in 1875. In recent years this home served as the headquarters of the West Liberty Police Department, but in 2016 the police force no longer needed it and a public appeal was made to save the home as one of the oldest in the village. Herb McClain, great-great-grandson of George Bailey, gave a large donation for restoration of the home so it can be turned into a museum, the West Liberty History Center. Members of the History Center Committee will be on hand during the tour to answer questions and take suggestions for the museum.
In addition to these two outstanding public venues, several other attractions and/or vacation rentals in the area will be showcased. The Markin Farms Zipline Adventures is located off county Road 30 in a beautiful setting. On tour will be the Event Center that accommodates 100 people and Tiny Home (available for overnight stays). The Escape Route 508 Bed & Breakfast will be on the tour, highlighting the new Commercial Kitchen. Also on the tour will be the new Country Cottage vacation rental located on the Yoder Century Farm on Sullivan Road. This home provides a warm, cozy retreat for visitors to the area. For more info about these rentals and others, visit www.mywestliberty.com/lodging.
Also on tour this year will be the Burrey home on West Columbus Street decorated in Early American style, and an eclectic loft style apartment in the village’s oldest building, built in 1830, featuring large historic windows that overlook downtown, as well as Quest Community Church, which underwent a large addition in 2017.
Do not miss these amazing eight tour locations. The fall weather and gorgeous autumn leaves will make it a great day to explore the village. Tickets and maps for the tour are $15 and can be purchased at the Town Hall during the tour.
Adriel Benefit/Piron Family Benefit
Earlier in the day will be the Adriel Benefit Auction, and from 5 to 7 p.m. in the West Liberty-Salem Elementary cafeteria will be the Piron Family Benefit Dinner to help a 1997 WL-S grad’s family impacted by Hurricane Harvey.
