Reprint courtesy the Jordan Independent and South Suburban Publishing, Shakopee, MN

Tree-mendous Tour
Thursday, December 01, 2005

The Jordan area's annual Holiday Tour of Homes runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 3.

Nine houses will be opened to the public next weekend for the annual tour of home decorated for the holidays.

Tour attendees will see: the picturesque view of the river valley from the Wiese home; the Zwebers' collection of family heirlooms and Santa's workshop; Felixes' antiques and snow village; a collection of Swedish Lucias at the Senske home; themed Christmas trees in every room of the Nicolin Mansion; the Glynns' Santas; "Trading Spaces" like projects done on siblings' bedrooms at the DeCorsey home; the Gutzmers' blue and silver room, along with many rooms decorated in red and gold; and the out-of-country influences on a large, new addition at the home of Paul Carey and Tania Branitski.

The Nicolin Mansion

Kevin and Terri Knox purchased the historic Nicolin Mansion, 221 Broadway St. S. in Jordan, in 2003. The home was built in 1888 for Jordan businessman Mayor Frank Nicolin.  The home is one of several buildings in the Jordan Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Homes [Places].

The Nicolin Mansion is a Bed and Breakfast and special event reception hall.  It is a 6,000 square-foot brick, Queen Anne Victorian style house with the first floor having cherry woodwork in the foyer, stained glass windows, a double parlor, and a dining room.  The first floor also has a remodeled kitchen with a tin ceiling, and one guestroom.

There are four guestrooms on the second floor, and the third floor is the innkeepers' quarters.

During the Christmas season, each room has a tree that is decorated with a different theme. The front parlor has an angel tree. The middle parlor has vintage ornaments. The dining room's theme is a partridge in a pear tree. And there is also a miniature tree in each guestroom.