Every generation that lived in the house throughout the years has different memories. The memories gave the house the nickname "the happy house." Sam Fristed/Star-Observer.

After five generations "the red house on the corner" as it became known was sold. The house was sold after the Smalls moved to Arizona. Sam Fristed/Star-Observer.

Clarence and Sybil Filkins were the first generation of the family to own the house. They bought the home in the early 1950s. Courtesy of Marge Filkins.

Jim and Marge Filkins bought the house in 1988. They lived there for 22 years. Courtesy of Marge Filkins.

Gordy (left) and Lisa (right) were the third generation to live in the house. Submitted. Courtesy of Marge Filkins.

Tony (left) and Tina Small (right) and their children were the fourth and fifth generation to live in the house. Submitted. Courtesy of Marge Filkins.

The front of the house with the garage and breezeway. Marge Filkins said her favorite part of the house was the breezeway. Sam Fristed/Star-Observer.

After keeping the house in the family since the 1950s, Marge Filkins, pictured, hopes the new family enjoys it as much as hers did. Sam Fristed/Star-Observer.

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Every generation that lived in the house throughout the years has different memories. The memories gave the house the nickname "the happy house." Sam Fristed/Star-Observer.

Clarence and Sybil Filkins were the first generation of the family to own the house. They bought the home in the early 1950s. Courtesy of Marge Filkins.

Jim and Marge Filkins bought the house in 1988. They lived there for 22 years. Courtesy of Marge Filkins.

Gordy (left) and Lisa (right) were the third generation to live in the house. Submitted. Courtesy of Marge Filkins.

Tony (left) and Tina Small (right) and their children were the fourth and fifth generation to live in the house. Submitted. Courtesy of Marge Filkins.

The front of the house with the garage and breezeway. Marge Filkins said her favorite part of the house was the breezeway. Sam Fristed/Star-Observer.

At 515 Crescent St. sits a red house. It looks ordinary but has one special feature about it. It has been in the same family for five generations.

Marge Filkins was the second generation owner of the home. She said the story of the house begins in the early 1950s. 

“The first owners were my husband's parents, Clarence and Sybil Filkins,” Filkins said. “They owned it until 1988 when they sold it.” 

They sold the house to their son and daughter-in-law; Jim and Marge Filkins. Jim and Marge moved into the house in 1988.

The Filkins owned the house for 22 years. When it came time to move they sold the house to their daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Gordy Grant. After owning the home for nine years, the house sold again.

This time it was sold to Tina and Tony Small, the daughter and son-in-law of the Grants. The Smalls raised their three children in the home, making it a fifth generation home.

The Smalls recently moved to Arizona last spring, putting an end to the tradition.

After five generations "the red house on the corner" as it became known was sold. The house was sold after the Smalls moved to Arizona. Sam Fristed/Star-Observer.

“When we moved I wasn’t as emotional as I thought I’d be because it stayed in the family,” Filkins said. “Now that it’s out of the family I’m doing better than I thought. Hopefully they enjoy it as much as we did.”

Filkins said the family hosted a party last month to celebrate all the fun moments the house brought. The house hosted baby showers, Easter egg hunts and the annual Christmas Eve party. It became known as the “happy house” to friends and family because of all the memories, Filkins said.

Third-generation owner Lisa Grant agreed the house is full of memories. 

“Playing hide-and-seek, watching Wheel of Fortune and Lawrence Welk, hosting family gatherings. We have so much love in this happy home,” Grant said.

As the generations went on more memories came up. Tina Small shared her favorite memories.

“In a little over three years, we filled the home with dance offs in the living room, family games on the dining room table, bonfires in the backyard,” Small said when discussing the memories. “We were blessed to have had this home in our family for 65 years. May the new owners find as much happiness and joy within those walls as we did.”

For those who did not live in the house there were still positive memories to reflect on. Gina Filkins, granddaughter of Marge and Jim, shared her experience.

“My experience with the house was filled with love, joy and laughter,” Filkins said. “I remember spending countless moments with my siblings and family that I will cherish forever.”

Sam Filkins is the grandson of Marge and Jim. He said his favorite memory was Christmas Eve.

“When Santa and Mrs. Clause (I think the neighbors at the time) would bring us presents. I always got the best gifts: trucks, tractors, Legos, the list goes on,” Filkins said. 

The house was built in the Frank Llyod Wright style. It has three levels with different quirks. On the first level is a stone fireplace with cement reinforced beams under the hardwood flooring. The second level has three bedrooms and a bath. 

The lower level is where the house starts to show its uniqueness. It has a fireplace and a fruit cellar. It has a makeshift bomb shelter, a typical feature of houses built in that era. 

The basement has entertainment options too. It had a billiards and ping pong table. It had a slot machine. 

“It’s the most unique house in town,” Filkins said.

Filkins said her favorite part of the house was the breezeway. She said the breezeway provided countless outdoor memories. One of her favorite memories was the time she got locked out.

After keeping the house in the family since the 1950s, Marge Filkins, pictured, hopes the new family enjoys it as much as hers did. Sam Fristed/Star-Observer.

“The lock was really confusing, you had to turn it a certain way,” she said. “Whoever locked it up didn’t know that and when I got home one day I realized what was going on. Once I got inside I got a good laugh from it because it is a charming feature.”

Filkins couldn’t pick a favorite memory. She said “all the happy times” were her favorite moments. 

“We knew it had to end, we had a nice long time with it,” Filkins said with a smile.

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