"Perfect."
That is how East Lansing resident Roy Saper viewed the quality and design of the home located on 812 Applegate Lane that he fell in love with more than 30 years ago.
Now, Saper and five other residents will showcase their homes at the East Lansing Home Tour, an event continuing to the city's centennial celebration.
People will view six private homes — each of which depict a style that represents their respective decade.
Angela Mabin, a member of the East Lansing Centennial Commission's planning committee, anticipates 300 people will attend the tour, and is excited to feature a "broad range of housing in East Lansing from a historical viewpoint."
"We thought we'd give area residents the opportunity to see some of the fine housing East Lansing offers," Mabin said.
"We wanted to tie in the university because it's such an important part of our community."
Tourists also will view Cowles House. Individuals will be able to tour house that was built in 1857.
Cowles House is the oldest building to have some elements of its original structure intact, said C. Kurt Dewhurst, director of the MSU Museum. After major renovations occurred in 1950, the only parts that remain today are some of the stone foundation and two exterior walls.
As the MSU representative on the East Lansing Centennial Commission's planning committee, Dewhurst said Cowles House is an important stop because it shows how closely East Lansing and MSU are intertwined, as well as the house's importance to the university.
"Over the years, it has been a front door for many events and special activities," Dewhurst said.
As the owner of the 1967 Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home featured on the tour, Saper first noticed the uniqueness of the house when he resided nearby on Bailey Street during the 1970s.
When he and wife, Nell Kuhnmuench, realized their current home was no longer big enough for their growing family, Saper immediately remembered his favorite house.
It was a modern, brown-brick home with numerous windows that he had admired for several years.
"I looked at it and said, 'This is it,'" Saper said. "It's just not like any other home."
In 1990, his dream came true when he and his family moved into the home. Saper said there is no home around like his, and is excited to share it with tour-goers.
"Why go for normal when you can select something special?" he said.
