The theme of the 2019 Home Tour was "50 Years of Homes" with houses built over a half-century span -- from the early 1930s to the early 1980s. Though this Victorian home looks like the oldest home on the Tour, it is actually the youngest. It was built in 1981 as a Neo-Victorian of unusually high quality. The interior looks like it is was constructed in the 1890s with high ceilings, beautiful chandeliers and impressive woodwork. Windows in the second story and some other rooms are among the artifacts from the Victorian Era that were incorporated into the house when it was built. Note: due to a personal emergency, this house had to be removed from the Tour at the last minute. Owner: Carrie Maldonado.

During the Home Tours, you are greeted at the door of each house by a volunteer docent. In this case, it was Marcia Kent. Inside the houses you will find more docents to answer questions about the home, its history or its features.

This is an example of a Tudor Revival home. Soldiers returned from World War I brought back an appreciation for the picturesque homes of England, and this style was very popular in the 1920s. This particular example still has its original front window and hardwood floors, not to mention beautiful wood trim and elegant bathrooms. It was built in 1934. Owners: Bennie and Marie Huie.

During the home tours, you will encounter antique or classic automobiles parked in front of the homes. Several car clubs in the area, and several car owners in Martinez, loan their beautiful vehicles to the Home Tour for the day. Paul Kraintz, himself an antique car owner, organizes the cars for the Home Tour.

This home was built by Rocco Costanza in 1935 -- and remained in the Costanza family until 1999. Rocco's workbench and tools can still be seen in the basement. The house retains its original tile and tubs in the bathrooms -- and original kitchen tile as well. In addition, it still has its original windows and coved ceilings. Not to mention its dining room and breeakfast nook built-ins. Rocco combined several historic home styles when designing this house and it shows elements of English Cottage, Spanish Revival and Craftsmen design. Owner: Janis Zelmer.

The 2019 Tour featured homes on both sides of Pine Street. But this home is located on Pine Street itself. It is an early California Ranch Style house built in 1949. This style of home has only been represented once before on the home tour. It is considered historic by many Millenials who are attracted to the retro look. Inside this home, it is very tastefully decorated. Outside the house, the decks are very impressive. The garden in back is particularly beautiful -- with fountains, statuary and other eye-catching features in every direction. Owners: Bill and Becky Bryant.

This home has a flag pole in front, and it is the new home of the Mayor of Martinez. His old home was a 1928 Spanish Revival home that was on the 2014 Home Tour. His new house, pictured above, was built in 1974. It is a very good example of the evolution taking place in architecture at that time. It was In the late 1960s and early 1970s that the era of Postmodern architecture began. Architects were experimenting with interesting new designs for homes -- and the mansard roof made a comeback. Assymetircal building footprints -- instead of traditional rectangles and L-shapes -- also appeared. This house contains both features. Owners: Rob Schroder and Susan Hatch Schroder.

During the home tours, you are entertained by local musicians at several of the houses. This is Debbie Wendt performing solo. However, she is also in a band called the Diablo Rhythm Wranglers.

Bus transportation is provided during the Tour, though you also have the option of driving your own car. Portions of the Tour are quite walkable also. There are tour guides on the buses. Council Member Noralea Gipner is pictured above volunteering as a guide.

This home sits next door to the Mayor's House. It was built in 1964, towards the end of the Ranch House Era. Two decades later, in 1985, it was remodeledand and updated. Then the young couple who now own the house remodeled it again. It is a good example of how to open up the floor plan of an older home to suit the tastes of today's homeowners. In addition, It's hillside location affords it good views of both the town and the Carquinez Strait. Owners: Jeff and Elizabeth Thie.

Although you always meet interesting people on the Tour, sometimes its nice to go with friends, i.e. people you already know. These Red Hat ladies arranged to do one of the past Home Tours together.

This house was built in 1941 -- just before the U.S. entered World War II and home construction largely ceased for the duration. It is a sizeable example of the Minimal Traditional style that developed during the 1930s. This is an amazing house that includes a collection of player pianos which will be demonstrated during the Tour. The house also includes a Wurlitzer organ and a calliope in the garage. Outside is a gazebo overlooking the Strait and a Bocce Ball court. Visitors found this house particularly memorable because the owners were on hand to demonstrate their facinating antique musical devices. Owners: Jim and Eddie Porter.

The Martinez Refining Company Clubhouse is the starting point for all Tours. There are rest rooms inside and there is plenty of parking outside. Complimentary water or coffee is available. The Clubhouse was built in 1937. It has a great Arts & Crafts interior of natural wood. Location: 1635 Pacheco Boulevard in Martinez.

The Diablo Regional Concert Band played for visitors at the MRC Clubhouse. The Band is a self-supporting, all-volunteer organization. If you would like more information about the Band, please call Cora Martens at (925)451-6222.

The Band has been an institution in Martinez since first forming in 1910 as the Martinez Liberty Band. To learn more about the Band, please click here.

Inside the Clubhouse booths and displays are set up for the day. This year you would have seen an Ansel Adams exhibit set up by Kevin Murray. Adams was both a landscape photographer and environmentalist known for his black and white photographs of the American West.

Do you have any questions about Martinez history? If so, there is a good chance that Kathy Yates or Sharon Vladeff will have the answer -- or know where the answer can be found. You would have found them at the MRC Clubhouse during the Tour. During the year, they can often be found at the Martinez Museum where they serve as docents.

The MRC Alumni Museum is behind the Shell Clubhouse parking lot. It depicts the history of oil refining in Martinez -- beginning with the construction of the Refinery in 1915. The Museum is staffed with docents who are retired Shell employees. They open this Museum for the Home Tour visitors.

The Martinez Museum is also open during home tours. It is the home of the Martinez Historical Society. It features both permanent and rotating exhibits. So there is always something new to see there.

On the grounds of the John Muir National Historic Site is the 1849 Vicente Martinez adobe. This Monterey Style adobe, dating from before statehood in 1850, houses the largest existing display on the 1775/1776 De Anza Expedtion which founded the presedio (a fortified military settlement) and the mission of San Francisco. To learn more about the Adobe and the De Anza Expedition, please click here.

Discounted tickets for the Home Tour were available. They could be found by visiting the Martinez Historical Society booth at the Sunday Farmers Market on Main Street. There you could have purchased tickets for $20.00 instead of $25.00 (or $30.00 on the day of the event).