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A highlight of Pumpkin Fest activities always include the Historic Homes Tour.  The theme this year is "Whimsical Homes" and will offer 7 locations, starting at the DeKalb County History Center.

This year, guests will enjoy a look inside these historic residences, thoughtfully restored and filled with beautiful artifacts that reflect the time periods in which they were built. From creative architecture to fascinating histories, this tour is a celebration of Sycamore’s rich past and the whimsical details that bring it to life.

For $25, you can purchase a ticket to tour all of the houses. Tickets will go on sale Oct. 15th and must be picked up at the DeKalb County History Center on the day of the walk.

  • Built on the footprint of St. Alban’s School
  • Still has the bell from the Chapel.
  • The owners used local artisans in the construction.
  • Built much of the cabinetry himself with “fumed” wood.
  • Built to be energy efficient, including solar panels and geothermal heating & cooling.
  • Includes an extensive woodworking shop.
  • Basement contains a large built-in, working train display!
212 S. Main
212 S. Main
  • Built c.1872, for William and Jane Byers.
  • Next owned by John and Jane (Byers) Faissler. John was a local attorney.
  • Went through several owners and was eventually cut into apartments.
  • Restored to a single-family home by Robert and Marilyn McCue in 1988.
  • Known in Sycamore as the “Pink House”; recently re-painted in updated shades of pink.
  • Full of whimsical touches, old and new, a different surprise in every corner.
  • Still has most of the elaborate original flooring.
  • Features a third floor “kid zone.”
  • Built c. 1880, a twin to 508 Somonauk. Owned by Frederick B. Townsend.
  • Bought by George Wild of 450 Somonauk for his son, Daniel P. Wild, who was also the grandson of Daniel Pierce founder of the Pierce Trust & Savings Bank.
  • Daniel served with a YMCA group in Europe for two years during World War I.
  • Recently restored to single family home and renovated, keeping many original features. Restoration is still in progress.
  • Entryway has original parkay flooring and leaded glass window.
  • Has an original, distinctive S-curved banister, leading to the second floor.
  • The distinctive orange, black, and cream color exterior paint scheme has been added since we showed the house in 2019.
212 S. Main
212 S. Main
  • Built in the late 1920s by George W. Simmons, local carpenter and contractor.
  • Purchased by Mrs. Carol Westlake in 1945.
  • Owned by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church since 1966
  • Has all original woodwork & flooring as well as a beautiful, original, working fireplace.
  • Many still-functional built-in cabinets and cupboards throughout the house.
  • Features lovely French doors between living room and dining room.
  • Tiny cottage, but contains 22 windows!
  • Beautiful dark brick American Four-Square home, built in 1908 for John Murphy, partner of David Syme in the grain business.
  • Daughter Nellie Murphy lived the last 70 years of her life in this house.
  • Nellie never married & worked her whole career for the Pierce Savings and Trust Bank.
  • This home is filled with glass: stained glass, beveled glass, & leaded glass, more than 25 windows in all.
  • Even the closets & bathrooms have stained-glass windows.
  • Leaded glass window in the pocket door to the dining room.
  • Library has an original fireplace flanked by stained glass and built-in shelves.
212 S. Main
212 S. Main
  • Cape Cod style cottage, built in 1936 by Edward Holcomb, who was also the first resident
  • Initially built as a model home, showcasing low-cost homes, first containing only 5 rooms.
  • Built on land from the historic William Marsh property, in the shadow of the mansion.
  • Beautifully updated by current owners, featuring many cozy living areas.
  • Features a hand-carved mantlepiece by local artist, master carver Joe Dillet, who created the famous wooden mural at the Farm Bureau building.
  • Tucked between West School & the Marsh Mansion, the backyard retains the feel of a nature conservatory.
  • First owned by Marshal Stark, one of the pioneers of Sycamore.
  • Harold V. Engh, Sr. purchased the farm in 1927.
  • Farm managers lived in “The Big House” and hired hands in the smaller house. The Engh family lived on Merry Oaks Drive.
  • Property became the Sycamore History Museum in 2009, and the new DeKalb County History Center building was opened in 2019.
  • Last year, the small house was gifted to Habitat for Humanity and moved to Pleasant St. in DeKalb.
  • Exciting changes are happening now: historic corn crib is being preserved and repurposed.
  • Grounds will feature gardens, walking paths, and a lovely gazebo on the footprint of the old small house.
212 S. Main

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