By MARIA BANUELOS CONNELL
Director of Marketing, Martinez Historical Society
The Martinez Historic Society presents the 13th Annual Home Tour on October 12, 2019, from 10am to 4pm. This year’s tour features 50 Years of Homes in the area where the former Christian Brothers De La Salle Institute and vineyard was located.
The Tour begins at the Shell Clubhouse where your tickets will be exchanged for wristbands that designate you as a tour attendee and where you’ll receive the tour booklet with additional gifts provided by tour sponsors. The Diablo Regional Concert Band will welcome you with their talented musicians providing excellent music for your enjoyment while browsing the raffle prizes and displays of Historic Martinez.
There are a couple of ways to see the Tour:
• Shuttle buses: tours are narrated by experienced tour guides during transportation to the home locations. You’re welcome to jump off the buses at the homes, then board the next arriving bus heading to the next location. Buses will ultimately return you to the Shell Clubhouse and your vehicle.
• Self-guided: You’re welcome to drive or walk the route using the map included in the tour booklet.
This year’s tour features 50 Years of Homes that were built from 1931 – 1981 in the area that was once the Christian Brothers De La Salle Institute and vineyard and included the area from Bush Street to Pacheco Boulevard to Brown Street and Alhambra Creek. The Christian Brothers were on this triangular parcel of land from 1879 – 1932 when they moved their Institute and wine operation to Napa Valley.
The feature home for this year’s tour is located at 905 Andrews Drive. This beautiful Neo-Victorian home was built in 1981 and was recently purchased and updated by the current homeowner. This unique home features beautiful mouldings and woodwork, a gorgeous fireplace and high ceilings in the upstairs rooms.
We are deeply grateful to our sponsors who make the Home Tour possible. Please help us thank them by patronizing these businesses: Schroder Insurance Services, Hagen’s Automotive, Les Schwab Tire Center of Martinez, Ecomulch, Edward Jones, Shell Western States Federal Credit Union, Amber Cole Real Estate, Shell Martinez Refinery, City of Martinez, Community Focus, Republic Services, Shell Chemical Company, Bisio & Dunivan, Kevin Murray Realtor, IBEW #302.
Tickets are available at the downtown Martinez Farmers Markets on Sundays through September at the best discount price of $20.00 each. Tickets are also available at the following merchants at the discount price of $25.00: I’ve Been Framed, 411 Ferry Street; Retro Now, 531 Main Street; Peirano Jewelers, 510 Center Ave.; UPS Store, 1155-C Arnold Drive, cash or check only, please. Tickets are available at http://martinezhometour.com/index-2C.html. Ticket purchases made on the day of the Home Tour are priced at $30.00 and will be available at the Shell Clubhouse. Please note that tour participants must be at least 10 years old, however babies can be accommodated if carried by parents. Thank you for leaving strollers, carriages and wagons at home. We regret we cannot accommodate these items.
Please call Kathy Braun, Home Tour Coordinator, at 925.787.3676 with any questions.
