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AAUW Homes for the Holidays: The O’Donnell home

Photos by M. Ellie O’Donnell, AAUW-Escanaba

By Ellie O’Donnell

The O’Donnell home

601 Ogden Avenue, Escanaba

Welcome to 601 Ogden Avenue. The front section of this Italianate-style home was built in 1875, with the back section of the home added in 1890. Built by Fred Harris, a local carpenter, the exterior features front double doors, an asymmetrical, single-story porch, and bracketed fringe along the eaves.

In 1936, Thaxter and Lucy Shaw purchased the home and proceeded to make numerous changes to the structure, including turning the back addition into an apartment for Mr. Shaw’s two sisters. It has continued to remain an apartment up to the present time.

Ellie O’Donnell bough the home from the Shaw estate in 1994. Over the years, she has added a fireplace, updated the kitchen, and increased the number of bathrooms. Throughout these changes, Ellie has remained consistent with her focus on the “farmhouse” origins of the home.

Visitors should be aware of these noteworthy items: in the music room, there is a baby buggy and doll that belonged to Ellie’s mother, Mim Ammel Kobasic; fabric carolers on the pump organ are a reminder of the many fine singing voices that were and are in Ellie’s family.

The parlor is home to the nine-foot Christmas tree, filled with unique ornaments given by friends and family, and guest should note the abundance of red cardinals and nativity scenes throughout the home.

The dining toom features a lovely light fixture that Ellie discovered in an antique shop in St. Charles, Ill. The kitchen table set dates back to the early 1900s and is the perfect spot for youngsters to listen for Santa’s reindeer on the roof.

Enjoy your visit to 601 Ogden and Merry Christmas.

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The American Association of University Women (AAUW) will present their biennial “Homes for the Holidays” on Dec. 12, from 1 until 4 p.m. Tickets are available at Gust Asps in Escanaba and The Frame Farm in Gladstone. Ticket holders must be 16 years of age or older. Proceeds are earmarked for two AAUW scholarships at Bay College. Ticket holders are requested to wear face masks to protect themselves and others.

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