Historic districts usher you into holiday spirit

Check out a page of photos from Dayton holiday home tours in McPherson, Grafton and the Oregon District.

The holiday spirit, hospitality, and stunning architecture combine each year during a series of home tours in Dayton.

Three of the city’s historic districts, McPherson Town, Grafton Hill and the Oregon Historic District, welcomed thousands of visitors in recent weeks to tour their homes.

Decorated inside and out in colorful lights and vintage ornaments, the holiday home tours are an opportunity for Dayton residents to show off their neighborhood’s unique charm and character.

Many of the homes date back to the 1800s. The exteriors still appear from that era, but inside the latest in home design and updates have been added.

Tom Gilliam, a contributing photographer for Dayton.com and the Dayton Daily News, visited each of the home tours and captured the merry sights of the neighborhoods.

PHOTOS BY TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER The Grafton Hill Holiday Home Tour drew hundreds of visitors.

The Grafton Hill Holiday Home Tour was held Dec. 1. The three-hour walking tour took visitors through some of the most beautiful homes in Dayton. Residents of the Oregon Historic District open their homes for the annual Candlelight Holiday Tour.

A dining room, elegantly set for the holidays, was one of the sights on the McPherson Town Historic District Holiday Home Tour. Each year, the Oregon Historic District hosts a Candlelight Holiday Tour. Six homes participated this year.

Visitors toured 10 homes on the McPherson Town Historic District Holiday Home Tour. A Christmas tree lights up a bedroom on the Grafton Hill Holiday Home Tour.

Each year, the Oregon Historic District hosts a holiday home tour. Homes were decked out for the holidays on the McPherson Town Historic District Holiday Home Tour.