On the first weekend of December, five homes will be decorated for the holidays and opened for this tour. The homes were built in the early part of the 1900’s and range in styles from Tudor to Mediterranean to Spanish Colonial. A bus runs between the homes to make the touring easier for the visitors and horse-drawn carriage rides are available for an additional cost. The neighborhood is decorated in white lights and strolling carolers, hot cider carts and a craft fair at St. John’s Episcopal Church top off the feeling that Christmas is coming soon.

The Ryan Place neighborhood began in 1911 and thrived for three decades. The real estate developer, John Ryan, envisioned a “white lace and parasol” neighborhood as he built the first homes and erected massive Carthage stone and marble gates to signify Ryan Place was a refined neighborhood. Shortly after World War II, residents moved away and the stately homes began to decay and the stone gates were torn down.

In 1969, 150 residents formed the Ryan Place Improvement Association. Their efforts brought about great change. In 1979 Elizabeth Boulevard; the main thoroughfare of the neighborhood, was entered into the National Register of Historic Places. Twenty years ago a few residents explored the possibility of replacing the grand gates at the entrance and A Candlelight Christmas in Ryan Place developed from that meeting.

The funds raised through previous home tours were used to restore the magnificent gates on the two main entrances to Ryan Place. The focus is now turned to lighting the neighborhood with period street lights. Recently installed fixtures may now be seen on Elizabeth Boulevard and at many other streets and intersections. The goal of A Candlelight Christmas in Ryan Place is to light the entire neighborhood!

Dates and Times:
Friday, Dec. 2: 6:00 – 10:00pm
Saturday, Dec. 3: 2:00 – 10:00pm
Sunday, Dec. 4: 1:00 – 6:00pm

Rates:
Advance tickets are available beginning November 1 at: all Metroplex Tom Thumb stores; Old Home Supply (1801 College Avenue); The Butler’s Antiques and Uniques (2221 8th Avenue); and Old Neighborhood Grill (1633 Park Place).

Advance Individual: $12.00 per person
Advance Group: $10.00 per person for groups of 20+

Tour Weekend tickets may be purchased at the “Information Porch” at 1415 Elizabeth Blvd at the corner of Elizabeth Blvd. & Willing Ave. or at the Tour Homes.

Tour Weekend: $15.00 per person

For more information, please visit Historic Ryan Place.