Sepp and Nancy Becker put on display their beautifully built 1906 home on South E Street
By Cindy Vladez Exeter Womens Club
EXETER – The home of Sepp and Nancy Becker, purchased by them in 2007, is located in a well maintained beautiful historic area of Exeter. It has a view of the tree-lined City Park, and is only four blocks away from Exeter’s charming downtown. This home is listed as being built in 1912, but according to Nancy, was actually built in 1906.
Upon arriving at the front of the home, you will immediately notice the large semi wrap around front porch. Off to the right is a quaint outside eating area and the left side gently wraps around to the south side of the home. There are many beautiful and interesting architectural features seen on the front of this home such as the many large columns and intricate woodwork making this house a grand sight..
Walking through the front door takes you into a front vintage furnished sitting room where a warm fireplace and the wonderful smell of a Christmas tree greet you. To the left is the first bedroom where there are actual Saturday Evening Post papers framed on the walls that had been saved by Nancy’s grandmother. In one of these papers there is a man who resembles Sepp and Nancy’s oldest son, Nick, who is right now serving a tour in Afghanistan. Nick’s West Point uniform is proudly displayed on a chair below the picture. The crochet red and tan flowered bedspread on the bed in this room was lovingly made by Nancy’s great aunt’s mother-in-law.
An interesting feature of this home are the brass electrical wall plates which are on the walls of this room and in the rest of the home. These are original to the home and are functional. A light bulb is simply inserted into the socket of the unit for lighting.
Continuing the tour next takes you to the early 1900s-styled bathroom which upon looking in, you will right away notice the amazing large old-fashioned bathtub.
Finishing with the south side tour is the now family room of the home. This room was once a second bedroom which was part of a Jack and Jill bedroom set with the bathroom being shared by both rooms. Walking through the newly added short hallway, where Nancy herself painted the doily designs on the walls, takes you to a breakfast room. In this room the former hallway which has been enclosed is now a small bar room.
Walking out of the breakfast room takes you back to the sitting room and then to the formal dining room where there is an original built-in china cabinet. Nancy’s office, which is off the formal dining room, is actually a remodeled closed in part of the front porch.
Moving from the dining room takes you through the vintage kitchen and laundry room and then out the back door to the large backyard. There you will see a large pool, gardening area and on the south side a delightful outside living room area with a comfortable couch, dining table, TV set and a fire pit. This is a must see. Nancy said this is their spring, summer and fall “hang out” area. The table is from Germany and it’s top is actually an old door. To the back of the yard is an old “stable” room with a newly remodeled bathroom which used to be an old outhouse. An old-fashioned light pole sits toward the center of the backyard which was purchased “post-1980,” sometime from the City of Exeter. There are two more matching light poles located along side the driveway on the south side of the home.
With its early 1900s architecture and designs, outside family gathering area, this is one house you will love seeing.
You can see this home along with three other homes on the Christmas Home Tour presented by the Exeter Woman’s Club, Friday, Dec. 7 from 4 to 8 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $25 and on the day of the tour tickets are $30. Tickets are available at the Exeter Chamber of Commerce, Antiques by the Water Tower and E.T.C. all in Exeter; Franey’s in Visalia; or from any EWC member. Featured homes will be decorated for the holidays and there will be a Hospitality House at the Exeter Woman’s Club, 201 N. Kaweah in Exeter, where they will be serving hot cocoa and snacks with live music throughout the evening.
