At one particular house in Monrovia, it’s...

At one particular house in Monrovia, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, all right: Christmas, 1886.

To see for yourself, stop by the George Anderson House at 215 E. Lime St., just east of Ivy Avenue today, between 1 and 4 p.m.

Even on an ordinary occasion, the yellow-and-green house sends visitors back in time, with its furnishings from the 1880s. But this weekend, the time machine is set to Christmas, 1886, the year the house was built.

The holiday theme includes free Christmas cookies and apple cider. Steve Baker, president of the Monrovia Historical Society, even promises to sit down at the pump organ and play Christmas carols. Visitors arewelcome to sing along. There is no admission charge.

The one-story home, one of Monrovia’s original structures, predates the city’s incorporation in December, 1887, and was built just after lots first became available for sale in the area.

The region was almost entirely undeveloped at the time, Baker said. There were not even orange groves, just oak trees, scrub brush and granite boulders.

Carpenter John Anderson built the home, and his son, George, lived there until his death in 1974. The historical society now owns the house and opens it for self-paced tours one weekend day a month.

As always, volunteer guides will be available to answer questions about the house. But only once a year--today--does the package include Christmas cookies, hot cider and song.