Real Estate

Historic Properties for Sale: $1 School Edition

Posted on: January 6th, 2012 by David Garber 3 Comments

Old Lincoln School - Rock Island, Illinois

This city-owned landmark was built in 1894 and is for sale to a qualified developer for redevelopment as mixed-use commercial or residential space. It was listed as one of the 10 most endangered properties in Illinois in 2005. Best part? Pricetag: $1.

Parker-Gray School - Alexandria, Virginia

Located just steps from Old Town Alexandria and the Braddock Road metro station, this 1944 structure needs some TLC to bring it back to its former glory. Originally constructed as a nursery school for African-American children during WWII, the building became the William Thomas American Legion Post #129, which continued to serve the local African-American community through the 20th century. Pricetag: $675,000.

Barnett Hospital and Nursing School - Huntington, West Virginia

The historic Barnett Hospital and Nursing School is a three story frame and brick veneer building is zoned for residential and/or commercial development. Parking is available on site. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009 and is eligible for West Virginia and Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credits. The building is the only known Black Hospital founded, owned, and administer by a single African-American, Dr. C. C. Barnett, still standing. Dr. Barnett was a first cousin of Carter G. Woodson, the Father of Black History. Pricetag: $500,000.

David Garber is the blog editor at the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

David Garber

David Garber is the Coordinator of Blog Content & Outreach at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He is a native of Washington, DC, and loves the intersection of preservation, innovation, and sustainability.

Historic Properties for Sale: Church Potluck Edition

Posted on: December 9th, 2011 by David Garber

Church buildings play an instrumental role in the social and aesthetic fabric of neighborhoods. And while its much less common for churches to change hands than traditional homes, this week's Historic Properties for Sale post features three such buildings with a lot of potential for new life as houses, houses of worship, or pretty much anything you can dream up.

Congregational Church - Bethlehem, New Hampshire

Built in 1877 as a Congregational Church, this spectacular structure was upgraded in 1997 to include new wiring, heating, plumbing, insulation, and foundation. The irreplaceable woodwork and wainscoting covering the walls and ceiling has not been touched. Features include a 2,200 square feet hall, a foyer, an office, a fully functional lower level, and upstairs living area. The building is topped by the original steeple and wooden clock which has been refurbished and is fully functional. Pricetag: $159,000

St. Philip Monumental - Savannah, Georgia

This historic church building is located in Savannah's Downtown Historic District on the corner of Jefferson and Park Streets. Excellent opportunity for continued use by a church or community organization, or redevelopment to accomodate a wide array of uses to include residential, student housing, senior housing/assisted care, and education related uses. Pricetag: $2,400,000

Old Bethel Church - Lewes, Delaware

This one-room “preaching house” (John Wesley’s term), officially called Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church, was built in 1790 and used as a church for 80 years. Replaced in 1870 by a larger building, it was sold, moved one block north, and converted into a residence. Known locally these days as “the meeting house” or Old Bethel Church, the building sits squarely in the middle of the historic district of Lewes, Delaware, just two blocks from the shops, restaurants, and museums of the town, and is surrounded by other old homes. It is one of many interesting dwellings on Mulberry Street and less than a block away rests the oldest house in Delaware, the Ryves-Holt House, c. 1665. Pricetag: $549,900

David Garber is the blog editor at the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

David Garber

Historic Properties for Sale: Double Front Porch Edition

Posted on: December 2nd, 2011 by David Garber

Who among us sees a double-front-porched home and doesn't swoon, just a little bit? Today's Historic Properties for Sale post is all about these breezy charmers.

Queen Anne Jewel - Richmond, Virginia

This magnificent contributing structure to the Union Hill historic district was built in 1904 and faces a city park. The Virginia white brick is higlighted by a fuly restored wrap around porch with a new copper roof. The house features original art glass fireplaces, stained glass windows (one fully restored), and tin ceiling on the third floor. Pricetag: $619,000

Springfield Historic District Beaut - Jacksonville, Florida

This amazing home featured twice on Springfield's Historic Homes Tour is the only 5 bedroom, 3 full bathroom single family house priced under $200,000 in all of Jacksonville's three historic areas: Springfield, Avondale or Riverside! No detail has been spared - you will find ornate and original wood mantles with brass fireplace covers, original heart of pine floors, vintage trim and casing around all doors, granite countertops, maple cabinets, a butler's pantry, and breakfast bar in the gourmet kitchen. Pricetag: $189,000

Charles Pierce House - Oak Hill, New York

This well preserved four-bedroom 1840s Greek revival in historic Oak Hill is on the National Registry of Historic Places. It has a new roof, new 200-amp electric service, new septic system, and new well pump and piping. In addition, ground level floor joists have been reinforced, all windows have been re-glazed and repaired, and the porch floor and supports are new. Best of all, the original carved trim throughout the house has been preserved. Included with this property is an equally charming store front building from 1895 that was at one time an ice cream parlor. Pricetag: $200,000

David Garber is the blog editor at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He has a single porch and supposes that, at least for now, it will suffice.

David Garber

Historic Properties for Sale: Farmhouse Edition

Posted on: November 25th, 2011 by David Garber 1 Comment

Farmhouses form a core of American history and architectural heritage. Yet with 82 percent of Americans now living in urban and suburban places, American farmhouses - with their simple shapes, graceful porches, and placement on the uncluttered rural landscape - tell of a different economy than most of America now knows on a personal level.

This week's Historic Properties for Sale post features three farmhouses ripe for the buying. Who's in??

Walkers Creek Farm - Middlebrook, Virginia

Built circa 1850, this Virginia farmhouse on 171 acres in the Shenandoah Valley has been restored and maintains classic farmhouse style with modern conveniences and amenities. Heart-pine floors, fireplaces, and original trim and wainscoting. Porches and patios extend living space and take advantage of the views. Two-story smokehouse has been renovated into charming guest quarters; Pricetag: $1,195,000

Stone Farmhouse - Lake Katrine, New York

This beautiful 1798 historic stone farmhouse has been wonderfully maintained and cared for. Original details include Dutch door, wide plank floors, beamed ceilings, and deep window sills. The spacious living and dining rooms have wood burning fireplaces. The second floor has four bedrooms and a foyer and sitting area that can be used as an office or playroom. The home's meadow-like grounds include fruit trees, berry bushes, perennial gardens, and mature flowering shrubs and trees. Included with the property is a small one and a half story honey house, an equipment shed, garden shed, and an original stone smokehouse. Pricetag: $324,900

Colonial Farmhouse - Harrison, New York

Built around 1720, this farmhouse was the home of Lieutenant Lyon Miller of George Washington's Colonial Army. The house features rare wide plank honey colored Atlant heart pine floors, two fireplaces, a fieldstone basement, awesome stone porch, and plenty of nooks and crannies. Pricetag: $659,000

David Garber is a member of the Digital and New Media team at the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

David Garber

Historic Properties for Sale: Colorful Colorado Edition

Posted on: November 18th, 2011 by David Garber 1 Comment

As a Colorado native (yes, the green bumper sticker is proudly displayed on both my bike and at my desk), it is my distinct pleasure to feature two awesome Historic Properties for Sale from the great and mountainous western state.

Van Briggle Home - Colorado Springs, Colorado

This vintage 1911 bungalow in the prestigious Old North End Historic Preservation District was designed by N. Van Den Arend who designed the Van Briggle Pottery building. The home features an original Van Briggle tile fireplace, beamed ceilings, and wood floors in the living and dining rooms, leaded glass bookcases in the living room, stained glass and French doors in the dining room, and a butler's pantry with original cabinetry with marble countertop. Pricetag: $440,000

Happy Hollow - Palmer Lake, Colorado

The above photo shows the c. 1915 house (right) next to the even older foundation and chimney of the home that used to grace the property. It is rumored that J.P. Morgan slept once on the front porch of the original home. Updated in 2006, the existing home features knotty pine, a pellet stove, and three decks - one with a hot tub. The house sits on a large hilltop lot with Mt. Chautauqua, Sundance Mountain, and Chimney Rock views. Pricetag: $375,000

David Garber is a member of the Digital and New Media team at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Although he is technically a Colorado native, he is proud to be a resident of the District of Columbia.