The red brick roadway, the "tunnel" of towering maples that shades that stretch of road and the occasional horse hitching post are all part of the charm of historic College Avenue. The homes that line the street - with architectural styles ranging from Queen Anne and Colonial Revival to Tudor Revival and Craftsman - are also what make College Avenue one of the most intriguing locations in the city.

On Sept. 27, Preservation Racine will celebrate College Avenue and its homes with its 34th annual Tour of Historic Places, the theme of which is "Follow the Red Brick Road." The walking tour will not only include guided interior views of five historic homes and one church, but a display of historical Racine souvenir pieces, people in period clothing and other surprises.

All of it will take place along College Avenue between Eighth and 18th streets - a part of Racine that was once home to the families of our city's pioneer merchants, industrialists and community leaders, according to information from Preservation Racine. The southern stretch of College, as well as of Main Street, was where the larger, more ornate homes were built back in the late 19th century and early 20th century, said Dick Ammann, archivist with the Racine Heritage Museum.

Walking through the area, one can imagine residents in those days socializing on the homes' large front porches, or waiting for the trolley car that traveled down 17th Street, according to Ammann. The roadway made of paver bricks also speaks of the city's history, he said, as Racine was once home to a large brick making industry.

"It is a beautiful street with wonderful houses," Ammann said.

Here's a taste of what you can see and learn on the College Avenue tour:

Owen W. Williams House (c. 1878), 847 College Ave. The main section of this house is a simple, Italianate structure believed to have been built in 1878 by Welsh carpenter Owen Williams. During his family's time in the house, Williams added many embellishments to the original structure, including a side bay and two additions to the east. Perhaps the home's most famous resident was Dr. Walter S. Haven, a Mount Pleasant native who earned his medical degree at Northwestern University and conducted his medical practice in the home from 1901 to 1925. The home's current owners are Russ Warren and Bruce Joffe.

Plymouth Congregational Church (c. 1912-1913), 1143 College Ave. Designed by the local architectural firm of James Gilbert Chandler and Linus H. Park, this Classic Revival building is the church's second home. Built out of Bedford stone and tapestry brick, the structure features an octagonal auditorium, Doric columns and tall, arched windows of geometric milk glass. A collection of early Racine souvenir pieces will be displayed here during the tour.

August & Julia Frank House (c. 1894), 1520 College Ave. Elements of French chateaus and Queen Anne Victorian architecture come together to form this Queen Anne-Chateauesque-style home. Designed by Racine architect Alber L. Flegel for the Franks, the house has 67 windows and two towers. Intricate patterned wood beams, original, SC Johnson parquet flooring, and a hand-carved oak grand staircase are some of its other outstanding features. Through the years, it has been home to a variety of people and businesses including the Park Place Tea Room and Catering Service; Don Hutson, charter member of the NFL Hall of Fame; the College Avenue Bed & Breakfast, and (most recently) Eric and Theresa Marcus.

Lawrence DuFour House (c. 1858), 1628 College Ave. The architecture of this home incorporates both Greek Revival and Italianate styles. Built on land owned by builder and developer Lawrence DuFour, it has had many owners including the Reverend Robert Hinsdale, a professor at Racine College; Jonathan Brearly, a molder for the J.I. Case Co.; William Morton, a bachelor who lived there with his sister, Ella, and Judley and Mary Wyant. April and Jason Jossart are the current residents.

Jerome & Emily Ritter House (c. 1907), 1746 College Ave. Today's homeowners, Geoffrey and Irene Greely, have furnished this Colonial Revival home with family antiques and other decorative touches that recreate a style similar to what may have been when the home was built. The structure was originally owned by Jerome Ritter, son of Hiram Ritter who ran a clothing store in Downtown Racine. Jerome expanded his career into manufacturing by founding the Racine Metal Stamping Co.

Martin S. Field House, 1753 College Ave. This cream brick house was built for Martin S. Field, a Norwegian immigrant and president of the successful Johnson Field Co., which manufactured farm machinery, bicycles and engines. The company's dustless grain and seed cleaner, "The Racine," won a gold medal at the 1893 World's Colombian Exposition in Chicago, as well as other national and international awards. The house, which has undergone some changes through the years, still reflect's Field's wealth and stature in the community. Current owners are Alex and Krystyna Sarrazin.