Downtown Rogers, AR

July 27, 2017

Hello everyone! Thank you for joining along on this tour of homes in our downtown. I want to remind everyone that this is strictly volunteer based and if you're wondering, "Why hasn't she asked us?" It's because I don't ask. I let you reach out to me and volunteer. I have two reasons for that approach; One, I don't want to be a pest and chasing people around and two, when you volunteer I know you're committed to the tour. I do not charge for my time or images when you volunteer and I keep it short and sweet averaging about an hour and a half (including editing time) per home tour. I will be honest and tell you that with the downtown forum and share via our awesome Chamber of Commerce, it's reaching hundreds of readers. As some of you are aware of the repetitive burglary in our neighborhood I became concerned with the safety and reach of this tour. I reached out to an officer that spoke at our local neighborhood watch meeting to ensure the intention of this blog and tour remains safe. He reassured me that it's perfectly okay and, if anything, it helps to build our community and make it even stronger. I will add, always call in your experience with these criminals, even if nothing was taken. We will not stand for feeling violated in our homes.

Let's move on to our next participants of the downtown tour, Susie and Scott Swearingen. They are probably some of the nicest people I know and I have met the majority of the people in our neighborhood simply because Scott is quick to introduce, include and be a bridge to activities. Susie is a public education teacher and that has always captured my heart, I am (was secretly until now) envious of her style, class and natural beauty.

ENJOY!

Tell us a little about your home.

The house was built in 1957 as a 2,200 sf ranch style home. We're pretty sure the house plan came from Better homes and Gardens. Scott's grandparents borrowed $14,000 to build the house, built it for $12,000 and turned the remaining $2,000 back into the bank.

What is your favorite thing about your home?

The location is pretty high on that list. Our neighbors are family- literally and metaphorically. There's something pretty magical about having so many people we love surrounding us. But also, this house is part of our family. Scott's dad grew up here. His grandfather built the house and lived here most of his life. There are memories in every inch of the house. Our daughter says this house is "very special" and we agree!

What brought your family to Downtown Rogers?

Scott grew up in Rogers, just a couple of doors down! It didn't take too long for me to realize he was never leaving 4th street. I grew up in several different places so I've always admired his deep roots to his home.

Did you make any additions/remodel/changes to the home?

We painted the entire interior. We put new floors in the kitchen, painted the cabinets, and put new lighting in. We also put new floors in the back room and retiled both bathrooms.

What is one of your favorite things to do in downtown Rogers?

We love biking to the farmers market, eating at The Rail and Las Palmas, grabbing beers at Ozark Beer Co., dinner at Levi's and drinks at Club Frisco, along with hanging out with our neighbors. We rarely use our cars on the weekends and we love that.

THANK YOU

to Susie and Scott (and Abbie!)

for welcoming us into your home.

DTR 4th of July parade

July 04, 2017

Zvers Family Home Tour // Downtown Rogers

June 06, 2017

Hello! Tell us a little about your home.

The Parks-Reagan House is a 2600 square foot Colonial Revival built by George Parks (a merchant in Rogers) in 1898. The heavy rusticated limestone foundation of the house was laid by John Myler and much of the rough and finished wood material of this house was furnished by the Van Winkle Mills at nearby War Eagle. The home was purchased and occupied by Zenas Lytton (Z. L.) Reagan from 1923-1976. Z.L. left the home to his beloved and famous educator daughters – Agnes Lytton, Mary Sue, and Betty Lynn Reagan. The home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. The Reagan sisters left the home and all of its belongings to the University of Arkansas. Eriks and I bought the home in October of 2014. With little modification in its almost 12 decades, it remains one of the oldest and best-preserved residences in Rogers.

What is your favorite thing about your home?

So hard to choose! The house in itself is beautifully designed. I love the large windows which keep the space bright and airy. We love to have company over and the spacious first floor layout is perfect for hosting, something the Reagans and Zvers have in common. I love how much people love our home and the Reagan Sisters. It is not uncommon to have strangers knock on the door and share stories about the sisters and how much they meant to them personally. We have learned so much about the home’s history and owners because people seek us out to share their memories.

What brought your family to Downtown Rogers?

Fate! Eriks and I were born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After taking a new position in NWA we were convinced we could only live in Fayetteville (we weren’t familiar with Rogers). Thank goodness the realtor who planned our showings insisted we look at one home in Rogers in Clower Farms. None of the homes in Fayetteville worked out and due to timing the only option left was the Rogers home. I cannot lie, we were pretty upset initially. This was not how we wanted to start our first journey away from our lifelong home.

Over lunch time I would drive around NWA and try to familiarize myself to our new location. It wasn’t but one month when I stumbled upon Downtown Rogers. I immediately fell in love with the beautiful older homes and tree lined narrow streets. It reminded me of home and I immediately brought my husband down to see. Shortly after we made an effort to frequent downtown shops, restaurants and bars to get a feel for the people. In no time at all curious, friendly locals were befriending us and inviting us to their homes and gatherings. We quickly discovered we had found “our people” and put Hunter Prowell to work on finding us a house in DTR. Buying the Parks-Reagan house was truly a matter of right place, right time! And of course having on the ball realtors! Thanks Hunter and Martha!!!

Did you make any additions/remodel/changes to the home? OR possibly share what you plan to do.

We haven’t done anything to date. Initially we thought we wanted to renovate right away, but we’re happy we took the last few years to live in the home and “get to know” her.

We are currently working with John Mack (JKJ Architects) and the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program to rehabilitate the home. We hope to begin construction within the year. The biggest changes will be adding a garage and converting the attic into a master bedroom. We need to update the mechanicals: plumbing, electrical and hvac. It is imperative to us that we maintain the integrity of the home, but also prepare it to last another 119 years.

What is one of your favorite things to do in downtown Rogers?

We love to simply hangout with the neighbors, in a garage, on a porch or at Club Frisco we are surrounded by amazing, kind people that take care of each other, like to have fun and hang out together. Not a weekend goes by that someone doesn’t open their home to the neighborhood. We live in a very special place and are so thankful to have found our Arkansas family.