Kathy Jordan spearheaded the project to get turn-of-the-century lights re-installed in the islands on Seventh between Teller and Hill avenues. In 2004, Jordan authored “Heart of The City: North Seventh Street Historic Residential District.” More than 20 years ago, Jordan organized the first Historic Home Church Tour, which she still heads today.

Sitting on my front porch on a quiet Sunday evening, the trees forming a canopy over the street, I can imagine hearing the clop of horse hooves pulling a buggy along Seventh Street. The first development plan, conceived by Grand Junction city fathers in the early 1880s, called for North Seventh Street to be a park-like residential area, with the homes facing each other, where prosperous residents, who were instrumental in the development of a young city out West, would build their homes.

In conversations with folks who grew up as young children on Seventh Street in the 1920s and later, I learned they were able to sled on Seventh Street, sit on their front porches and read books, and neighbor back and forth across the street. That neighborhood feel, I am proud to say, is still happening today, with the exception of sledding on Seventh Street.

The North Seventh Street Historic Residential District has remained much the same for the past century, with these stately homes facing each other across the street.

When I nominated our street for the National Register in 1983, the fact that the majority of the homes had maintained their original architecture made designation possible. At the time the historic district was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, Gloria Mill, with the Colorado Historical Society said of the area: “The North Seventh Street District is a distinctive neighborhood within Grand Junction, because it represents the most intact historic residential area in the community, as well as the most significant in terms of the architecture and quality of design. As a collection the structures are important local examples of styles popular during the period of development of the district. The wide, tree lined boulevard with its grassed media adds the ambiance of the district.”

The area has been able to maintain the residential character, an important factor, with little business encroachment. Our district is one of only two historic residential districts on the Western Slope. The other is in Durango.

For several years, homeowners and churches have opened their doors for the historic Home Church Tour sponsored by The Daily Sentinel.

In the past five years, other homeowners in the historic original square mile have opened their homes for the tour. This year is no exception.

Six homeowners are going to be sharing the history of their homes. Three churches also are participating.

Sally Sebastian and her sister, Carol, are going to share their home at 1004 Ouray Ave. The house was built in 1906 by Dr. Karl Helgerson.

Another home that has not been on the tour in several years is 407 N. Seventh St., also know as the Bull House. Joe and Karen Hatfield are the owners. Karen’s father, Dr. Jim Parker, grew up in the house just two doors to the north, the house with the lion statuaries guarding the front door.

The tour is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 17. A limited number of tickets will be sold. You can buy tickets in advance by phoning 243-0268 or 261-2790. Tickets are $10 each. The tours are self-guided, and visitors can start at any of the homes or churches and tour in any order. Each home or church will have people there to answer any questions. The ticket comes with a booklet, map and background of each structure. If you purchase your ticket in advance, you will have time to read about each home or church before beginning the tour. Tickets will be available on the day of the tour until the maximum number has been sold.

The printing of the booklets are provided through a grant from the Colorado Historical Society.

This year, the proceeds from the tour are going to be donated to the Western Slope Center for Children.

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Have a question or comment for History Here and Now? E-mail Kathy Jordan at kjtj1@bresnan.net.