In May of 1916, the forerunner of Extreme Home Makeover took place at a vacant lot at 659 Ashwood.  Over 200 carpenters, 28 plumbers, 14 electricians, along with interior decorators converged on the site to build a house in 12 hours.  The project was in honor of Miss Emma Plessner, the assistant secretary of the Real Estate Board, on her marriage to Mr. John McCann.  The plan was to start work at 4:30 a.m., have Rail-Light turn on the electricity at 4 p.m. and lock the finished house at 8:30 p.m.  The entire story may be read in the May 1, 1916 issue of the Toledo News-Bee.