From The Archives
c. 1900 Cottage w/ Log Cabin
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2.0 Stories | |
Bedrooms | 3 |
Full Baths | 2 |
Heated Sq. Ft. | 2,200 |
Unheated Sq. Ft. | 200 |
Acres | 13 |
Features.
- 1st Floor Bath
- 1st Floor Bedroom
- 1st Floor Laundry Room
- Attic
- Crawl Space
- Den
- Dry Basement
- Exercise Room
- Laundry Room
- Library
- Living room
- Music Room
- Reader's Loft
- Sauna
- Study
- Utility Room
- Master bedroom downstairs
- 1 Car Garage
- Automatic outside lights
- Fenced Yard
- Garden
- Greenhouse
- Guest House
- Patio
- Porch
- Restored exterior
- Storage Building
- Detached Workshop
- Built-in Bookcases
- Built-in Cabinets
- Ceiling Fans
- Ceramic Tile
- 2 Wood Fireplaces
- High Ceilings
- Walk-In Closet(s)
- Wood floors
- Shingle Roof: Asphalt shingle
- Dishwasher
- Disposal
- Gas heating
- Range
- Refrigerator
- Septic Tank
- Water Heater - Electric
- Butler's Pantry
- Claw-foot Tub(s)
- Brick Courtyard
- Custom Outhouse
- Fairy Garden!
- Gravel Driveway
- Log Cabin
No Contact Information.
This listing is archived and is not for sale.
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More About This House
Take a step back in time in the quiet mountain town of Blue Ridge Summit located just over the Maryland line in Pennsylvania. Once known as a resort town at the turn of the century, people from DC and Baltimore flocked here by train to escape urban life, as well as the summer heat, because the fresh mountain air here is 10° cooler. All of the grand hotels that once housed the many visitors have burned down, but the charming homes, which the wealthy owned as weekend retreats or were used as small hotels or boarding houses, still remain.
This circa 1900 board and batten mountain lodge, was once part of one of the many camps in the area, where scout or church groups would enjoy their summers. The main house great room once served as the dining/gathering hall—fun to imagine the bustle of children lining long tables, eating and laughing by a roaring fire in the massive stone fireplace!
This truly unique property has been lovingly restored to be a most inviting home with the quality and style of a bygone era. If you prefer all things bright, shiny and new, this is not the place for you. Rather this property was born of simpler times, so all the remodeling was designed with an appealing (and sometimes quirky) vintage style. The original (small) kitchen was turned into a laundry room/pantry and the dining room was turned into a welcoming kitchen. It was designed to be very functional with mostly repurposed items—from the real wood cabinets to the appliances to the lighting—with plenty of room to gather around a table and share a home-cooked meal.
Both bathrooms were renovated to look like they’ve been there all along, One featuring wainscoting, an antique dry sink as the cabinet, the original claw foot tub was restored and vintage style shower plumbing was added. The master bath boasts a lovely sink cabinet with granite counter, repurposed arts & crafts oak storage cabinet, tile shower and tile floor reminiscent of yesteryear.
There is another two-story outbuilding, which has also been renovated, surrounded by a lovely brick courtyard, edged with beds that bloom from spring to summer with colorful flowers. The lower level is a workshop/storage area, and another surprise awaits upstairs… a sweet, versatile space that could be used for an office, fitness room, studio, guest house—plenty of options. Telecommute or start that novel you’ve been wanting to write in peace and quiet overlooking the mountains!
You will also find a hidden gem nestled in the woods a short stroll from the front door. Step back in time as you enter the restored log cabin, complete with a handsome stone fireplace, sleeping loft, and many interesting details. Your own “private camp” includes a one-of-a-kind outhouse with a hand washing station and composting toilet! The cabin is often enjoyed these days for year round poker nights. It’s also a wonderful place to gather around a blazing bonfire in the stone pit…making smores…telling stories…laughing with family and friends.
Other desirable features of this property include 13+ quiet acres of trees and privacy, a mud room, 2 dog doors that lead to a fenced in area (never have to rush home to let the dog out again!), a laundry room with more cabinets, counter, sink and second refrigerator, and a library/office with built in shelving. And the second story is unfinished attic space offering the possibility of adding more large rooms. Outdoors there is a garage, and gardeners will love the raised beds, many perennial beds, apple and pear trees and a great little greenhouse—complete with electricity.
Even though it feels far removed from civilization, it is just 6 minutes to shopping (Walmart & Lowes) restaurants and more. 15 min. to Gettysburg; 40 min. to downtown Frederick; 60+ min. to DC or Baltimore. Also 10 minutes from Ski Liberty, several golf courses, state parks and the Appalachian Trail.
Just imagine yourself relaxing here on the picturesque porch enjoying the cool mountain breeze or being “cozied up” as the snowflakes fall, next to a blazing fire from the huge stone fireplace in the spacious, welcoming great room—both with a beautiful view of the Blue Ridge. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to be the next owner of this fabulous, private retreat—enjoyed year round or as a weekend escape. It is the best of Blue Ridge Summit…simple…living.
FAQs about the Property
Why would leave such a lovely place after all your work?
Everyone asks why we would leave this place. We have worked hard restoring it and loved living here...we have our reservations about selling it and no doubt I'll be shedding many tears when we leave. The only way we can explain the decision to sell is that there were several "layers" that sort of overlapped a year ago. One was our beloved dog, that we got right after we moved here, suddenly passed away, so the place doesn't feel the same to us without him. Also, my husband's company was bought out recently and we are a little nervous about changes that could take place. Also, last year we bought a vintage Avion trailer that, now that we no longer have a dog, we like just picking up and going...and want to do more of that. Plus between messing up my shoulder a year ago, having a new second granddaughter to help take care of and taking on a part time job, I no longer have the time to keep up with the maintenance I've been doing around here. We hit 10 years living here this year...and we both felt that it was "just time" for a changing of the guard. We will stay in this area because we really like it and our daughter and family are here, but we are looking for something smaller. This area is great because it has a nice slow pace, no traffic and people are just nice. Its a 5-6 minute drive to the post office, bank, Super Walmart, Lowes and a great Mennonite market! Plus it's a nice central location...35 minutes to Frederick, just over an hr to DC and Balt, 10 min. to Ski Liberty and 20 minutes to Gettysburg. Several golf courses around here too, if you’re into that.
What are your annual taxes on that property?
$1700+
How do you keep the house warm? Cool?
The furnace is about 12 years old and in great shape. Propane heat-, and it’s the best heat we've ever had! Propane costs us $400-$600 a season depending on the winter. There is also a woodstove insert in the great room and many acres of woods! As far as summer, we are usually about 10% cooler than Frederick, the nearest larger city where we both work. We have only ever used 2 window units...mostly for humidity...because there's usually a nice breeze. We also installed an automatic exhaust fan in the attic to pull hot air out once it reaches a certain temperature.
Do you ever have problems with frozen pipes?
Never. The previous owner had a new propane furnace installed shortly before we bought it and they put a vent in the duct work in the cellar that circulates in the crawl space. Smart.
Is the electrical and plumbing up to code?
Yes. Because we renovated both bathrooms, the kitchen and laundry room, the plumbing and electric is new. (See attachment.) There is still some older wiring for some of the outlets in the great room, but it’s ok. No knob and tube. And while we are on the subject, our utilities have averaged about $180 per month. We have an electric stove and electric heat.
Is there a well & septic?
Yes, we have a very deep well and have never run out of water-—so water is free. We also have a sand mound septic system (which most people have around here). In PA, you have to have the holding tank pumped out every 3 years. Costs about $150. It's such a racket because it doesn't matter if you have 1 person or 20 living in a house, it is required. We had a cap installed on the tank 2 times ago so they can just come and unscrew it, instead of digging up the grass every time.
Do you have internet, cable and good cell phone coverage?
Yes. I?have Verizon and Steve has AT&T and we both get 3-4 bars. We get internet and our land line through CenturyLink. We have a bundled package and also get DirectTV with it. No cable as of yet.
What’s the snow like there in winter? Are you ever cut off?
As far as the weather here, we have always said that VA, MD and PA are good places to live weather wise. It's not an area that gets hurricanes, tornadoes, forest fires, flooding, etc. The winters are hard to predict anymore. Last year we had one snow storm and that wasn't even that bad...3 years ago we got hammered. Good thing is we've gotten to be friends with our neighbors and he has heavy equipment for plowing...and we are first on his list once he plows himself out! And honestly, our road gets plowed faster than any place we've ever lived—maybe because the sheriff lives on this road. Can also say that there's no place cozier to get snowed in!
Is Furnace Road a busy road?
We set back from the road, and it is not a busy road at all. You can't see any neighbors, it is surrounded by woods. And btw the neighbors are all good people. And in fact, two of the families used to rent this house!
Is there a fenced in area for a dog(s)?
This is a dog's paradise! Our beloved Ned had the best life. There is a good sized dog yard (about 30 x 30) with a dog door that goes into the mudroom, and another that goes into the house. So dogs and cats can go in and out at their leisure. Then it is fenced the whole way around the house and workshop except for the porch, but we built a removable fence for that area to give more area to run around (good for grandchildren too!) Most of the day, Ned had the run of the property. We've noticed a big difference in the amount of deer since he's been gone almost a year. They figured it out in a hurry and were jumping over the fence and were eating plants—that has never happened before! So critters will be very happy here!
Is that a quarry or mine nearby? Do you know what they mine there?
On the satellite, it looks like it's in our back yard, but it's not. When we first moved here 10 years ago, we could hear it in the background if the wind was blowing this direction. About 4-5 years ago, it had gotten gradually louder and louder because they were moving this direction. Now they bought more property in the opposite direction from us and have moved in that area. Once in a while you can hear the beep beep of the heavy equipment in the distance. They mine the green stone in this area that is used for tennis courts, shingles, etc.
Archived in September, 2018
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