By Nancy Bowman
The number of Tipp City homes whose history can be documented at least 100 years is growing, as is the effort to recognize those structures.
The Century Home Project was created by and in tribute to Paula and Phil Lantz, who came to the community in the early 1970s and made it their home. After Phil Lantz passed in January 2017, Paula worked with Heather Bailey, the Tipp City Foundation and the Tippecanoe Historical Society to create the Century Home program as a tribute to him.
Homes that are confirmed by official documents to being at least 100 years old qualify. The homes will be awarded a brass Century Home plaque along with a framed award featuring the home.
Phil and Paula Lantz came to Tipp City in 1973 from Lima to be closer to his new job in Moraine. While heading home after checking out possible places to move in Kettering and Oakwood, they made a chance stop in Tipp City for gas.
Paula Lantz said she and her husband were attracted by the community’s charm and its houses. “It was such a unique spot in the world,” she said. “It has been a wonderful place to live. This program is another little piece that makes our community special.”
They ended up finding a home and over the years lived in four in the community.
The Century Home Project slowed the past year or so due to COVID-19 but again is in action.
Lantz is working on the project with Jackie Wahl of the Tippecanoe Historical Society. Houses in both Tipp City and Monroe Township can qualify for the recognition.
To promote the program, hangars were placed on doors of some houses that appeared to meet the century age criteria. Several applications were received and more are being taken.
A change in the program now has the Century Home Project volunteers verifying the age of homes using records now more readily available at the Miami County Courthouse. In the past, applicants were asked to provide that information, which could have been a deterrent for some owners.
“They may really love their old house, but don’t have the time to dig into public records,” Wahl said.
There is a $20 application fee.
Lantz said the project continues to evolve as the women work on the quickest, easiest way for those with a Century Home to apply. She is not aware of another program like it.
The project is a positive for the community, Wahl said. “It is one of the feel good things that help celebrate our community,” she said.
For more information on the Century Home Project, email info@tippecanoehistoricalsociety.org.