Blue Springs homes open for holiday guests

A steady mix of rain and light sleet fell on Saturday afternoon as cars drove across Blue Springs. 

“What a perfect day for a homes tour!” Carol Journagan of Blue Springs said as visitors entered her house at 2405 S.W. 19th St.

Journagan’s house was one of six homes featured on the sixth annual Blue Springs Historical Society Christmas Homes Tour. More than 300 people attended the tour on Friday and Saturday.

As the historical society’s major fundraiser, more than $2,000 was raised to continue maintaining the Dillingham-Lewis Home Museum.

“It was so nice of the ladies to open their homes,” said Sue Gfeller, chairwoman of the Blue Springs Historical Society Christmas Homes Tour. “All of them decorated so nice and let us in. We just can’t thank them enough that they let us do that.”

Here’s a closer look at two of the six homes on the tour:



The Journagan home

“It’s like going to another world,” Rae Kaufman of Lee’s Summit said of the Journagan home.

A walk through of the Journagan home is like taking a tour in a fine arts museum. The 10,000-square-foot home sits on more than seven acres of property, complete with a backyard view of nature.

The home features Brazilian cherry hardwood floors that were cultivated, rather than taken from a rain forest, Journagan said. Purple and green Vermont slate comprise the outside terraces. Treasures of artwork are around each corner.

A giant gong is located in the front entryway. Journagan beamed from ear to ear when asked about it.

“All I knew was I wanted it,” she said. “I wanted to keep the energy level up of the people who come in the house. It neutralizes any feeling of being overwhelmed.”

On the side of the front living room’s right stone column hangs two bat sculptures – they came from Animazing Gallery in the Manhattan, N.Y., neighborhood of SoHo. Two large trees extend to the ceiling on either side of the fireplace mantle.

“It’s sure fun to share,” Journagan said of her home. “You can’t build a home like this and keep the front door closed.”

Men and women alike crane their necks and mutter “Oh, boy” as they tour the home, which had its first appearance on the homes’ tour this year. A woman approached Journagan late Saturday afternoon and expressed her love.

“This is my favorite home ever,” she told Journagan, who graciously replied, “Well, thank you.”

Carol and her husband, Jeff, helped design the home and had it built seven years ago. It mirrors the style of American architect and interior designer Frank Lloyd Wright, complete with a prairie style. 

“We love it,” Journagan said. “It brings us value. It’s a way to connect with the community, and I’m devoted to the Blue Springs community.”



The Haines home

Less than 2 miles away, the Haines home at 1507 S.W. Smith St. resembles a cottage. The house is about 125 years old and originally only had three rooms. Throughout the years, rooms have been added and renovated, and at some point, a basement was added.

Every room featured at least one Christmas tree because Haines said she is in love with them.

In the “baby room,” dolls from Haines’ childhood are on display, as well as a Christmas tree with ornaments that her children and grandchildren have made. Haines said she tries to have one or two rooms with nativity scenes on display each holiday season.

The dining room table featured heirloom china from different weddings in Haines’ family. Haines said the dining room, by far, is her favorite part of the home. She had the table especially made this spring so that about 18 people can sit around it. 

“The only thing I did different was set the table,” Haines said about decorating her home for its first appearance on the homes’ tour. “Other than that, this is what I do. I love Christmas.”

Haines said she enjoys entertaining and having people visit her home, which she has lived in for six years.

“We live in every inch of space,” she said. “It’s a very homey home. It’s a very inviting little house.”