This house was built in 1907 as a “demonstration" home by John Winans, the developer of what is now Heritage Hills. Demonstration homes were built to encourage people to purchase lots in new additions and to build new homes there.

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John’s son, George, and his wife Bertye moved into the home. George was a salesman for the Winans’ Realty Company.

The home was originally designed in a modified Queen Anne style with the vertical emphasis of Gothic influence, a cupola on the roof and contrasting uses of roof lines, dormers, windows and doors. It is said that the home was more like the mansion built by Henry Overholser than the Colonial Revivals that eventually lined the street.

George and his family remained in the home until 1918, when they sold to Mr. and Mrs. Albert Halverson, who built a two-story carriage house with a living quarters. Halverson, owner of a barber supply house at 203 N. Broadway, in turn sold the entire property in 1925 to Mr. and Mrs. David I. Johnston.

David was a native of Pennsylvania and a prominent attorney with the firm of Keaton, Wells and Johnston. He and his wife, Katherine, made major changes in the exterior. They removed the cupola and all but one of the dormers, added a tile roof, built a second-story master bedroom on the east side, and enclosed the screened-in porch below. They also applied stucco to the exterior, giving the house a Mediterranean look that contrasted with the vertical emphasis of the original design.

In 1972, David C. Johnston, grandson of David I. Johnston, and his wife, Karen, purchased the home and began a major renovation. They refinished the original oak woodwork, added historically correct cabinets to the kitchen, redecorated every room, and converted the original cistern to a wine cellar.

By 1976, they were ready to present the home on the 10th annual Heritage Hills Homes Tour. After David's death Karen continued living in the home until 2017 when Philip and Heather Busey became the new owners and live there with their two sons.

The Buseys have extensively redecorated and redesigned this beautiful home including a complete kitchen renovation, mudroom, master bedroom/bathroom suite, walk-in closets, a new laundry room on the second floor and a finished-out attic space for a children's playroom. Additionally, the apartment above the carriage house was completely renovated in 2018.

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As visitors enter the home, they are presented with a "dog trot" floor plan: a center hall that extends from the front door to the back door with rooms opening off this hall. The home features elegant crown and base moldings as well as the original woodwork. To the right is the dining room with "clipped corners" and what is believed to be the original chandelier and sconces. To the left is the front parlor with the family room directly behind it. An enclosed library is adjacent to the family room. A state-of-the-art kitchen was created by combining the butler's pantry, existing kitchen and back corridor.
The light fixtures throughout the house are a mixture of restored originals and modern pieces. The original hardware on the doors has been maintained in the interior.

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A veranda and terrace were added in 2019, intended to complement the design ofthe front of the home.

The staircase features a beautiful stained-glass window. The second floor is composed of three bedrooms and two bathrooms. An original bathroom opens on to the front terrace and is shared by two bedrooms. In the master bedroom, an elegant master bath has been added. A curved corridor designed by Bruce Bockus, A.I.A., leads to a cheery and sun-filled laundry room and stairs to the third-floor playroom.

The Buseys were excited to share their home on the 2019 Home Tour. The walkability and community feel of the neighborhood brings them much joy as they raise their family. They also enjoy the close proximity to their favorite restaurants and shops.

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