Six historic South Hill homes open for touring next Sunday

Bill and Wendy Budge bought their home 40 years ago with the thought it would be the last one they would own.

Over the years, the couple have acquired a passion for restoring and maintaining its historic features.

Next Sunday, the home at 606 W. 16th Ave. will be opened to the public for the 17th annual historic home tour by Spokane Preservation Advocates.

It is one of six homes just southwest of Roosevelt Elementary School that will be open for the tour, which is a fundraiser for Spokane Preservation Advocates.

“I feel like I am guarding history,” said Wendy Budge.

The house was built in 1923 for Victor and Jean Piollet in the Colonial Revival architectural style that shows influences of Craftsman, French eclectic and Italian Renaissance styles.

It is clad with glazed terra cotta tiles manufactured by the Washington Brick, Lime and Sewer Pipe Co. that operated plants throughout the Spokane region, including Clayton just northwest of Deer Park. Victor Piollet was the company’s vice president and sales manager.

The home’s windows, woodwork and other features show off the building traditions of the period.

“I feel like it is my duty to preserve the integrity of my home,” Budge said.

The couple won listing on the Spokane Register of Historic Places in 2008.

Linda Yeomans, who wrote the nomination for the historic register listing, said it appears that the Piollets wanted the home to show off the company’s products.

She also said it appears to be the only home in Spokane to be finished with those materials. They were more common in commercial applications.

“That’s why we put it on the register, to protect it,” Wendy Budge said.

The Budges, who are both retired, raised two children in the home.

Over the years, they’ve redone the basement into a home theater with an art deco flair.

The adjoining garage is being restored. It sports a tile roof with a ridge cap made from sewer pipe.

Wendy Budge’s appreciation for historic preservation goes beyond their home; she serves on the Spokane City-County Historic Landmarks Commission, having been appointed four years ago.

The other homes on the tour are:

The Parent House, 411 W. 15th Ave., a classic 1916 Craftsman bungalow that is well-appointed inside.

The Beardmore House, 423 W. 15th Ave., a 1909 Arts and Crafts home, occupied at first by the owners of Beardmore Transfer Line Co.

The Triplett House, 433 W. 15th Ave., a 1910 American Foursquare.

The Moorehead House, 437 W. 15th Ave., a 1908 Craftsman house built from one of the designs available through Ballard Plannery Co.

The Buchanan-Hathaway House, 615 W. 15th Ave., a 1922 Craftsman bungalow. The name recognizes the original owner and a subsequent owner who was prominent in business in Spokane.