Love of older homes sparks recognition project

The project unveiled in December was created by Paula Lantz in cooperation with the Tipp City Foundation and the Tippecanoe Historical Society as a tribute Paula’s husband, Phil Lantz, who died in January 2017.

Those who participate can work along with the historical society to document the age of their homes. Those homes at least 100 years and older qualify for the project. Applications whose information is verified will be awarded a Century Home brass plaque for display along with a framed award featuring their home.

Paula and Phil Lantz found Tipp City in the early 1970s when they were looking to relocate from Lima closer to his new job in Moraine. They looked at possible homes in Kettering and Oakwood, then stopped in Tipp City for gas on the way home.

That stop changed their lives.

“Over the years, the town grew yet it stayed the same. The downtown merchants care for those buildings. … Almost every home is loved and cared for,” Paula Lantz said. “What makes us (Tipp City) different is the effort by private citizens to renovate and maintain the aging homes. A home might fall on hard times for a while, but someone comes along, buys it and makes the necessary improvements to make it their own home. Our goal is to honor that home when it becomes a century milestone home.”

The Century Home Project was made possible by the new Phil and Paula Lantz Fund through the Tipp City Foundation. Those interested in having their homes recognized are asked to pay $20 to facilitate the application process

The first nine century home recipients were recognized in December. They were:

• Dianne Knowles, 540 W. Dow St. (home was moved from the flood plain to this location)

• Lorayne Howard, 415 W. Walnut St.

• Ron and Sue Ann Re, 26 W. Dow St.

• Amy Barr, 211 N. Third St.

• Ray and Guustie Alvarado, 21 E. Walnut St.

• Matt and Claire Timmer, 209 S. Second St.

• Red and Marti Newsome, 121 W. Main St.

• Dawn Kramer, 105 N. Third St.

• Heather Bailey and Frank Scenna, 100 W. Plum St.

For more information on the Century Home Program, contact the Tippecanoe Historical Society at 937-667-4092.