Old Stone Home Needs a Hero

January 25, 2016 / oldstonehouses / Leave a comment

We don’t often dedicate an entire post to one stone home, but this sweet Hudson River Valley property tugged at our very heartstrings.

The circa-1750 Colonial-era stone farmhouse, located in the historic village of Saugerties, is presently for sale. Before you scoff at the price, take note: You get the home, nestled on a gently sloping piece of land, a circa-1800s barn, a lovely bit of meadow, a few more outbuildings (chicken coop included!) and almost 70 acres of lush farmland (right in the middle of which once existed a major Indian path to the Woodstock valley).

The structure itself is described as in “poor condition,” but we’re certain that it could spring back to life with the tender touch of a caring owner. Just another run-down, run-of-the-mill farmhouse? We think not. In the 2005 Town of Saugerties Historical Resources Survey, experts noted, “This house can be directly compared to vernacular farmhouses of Northern Europe. Its builders and the first farmers to till this land may have been among the earliest permanent settlers of Saugerties. To find an early structure this historically intact is an extreme rarity and this house deserves separate, comprehensive study and protection.”

Don’t have the cash to snatch up this historic gem but interested in seeing more of the Hudson River Valley and its concentration of old stone homes? This map will help you see the coolest stone homes the area has to offer.

Diamond in the Rough?

January 15, 2016January 15, 2016 / oldstonehouses / Leave a comment

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all. Take a look at these fixer uppers and tell us what you think: Two thumbs up or two thumbs down? It would take a lot of love to bring these stone homes back to life, but the rewards may just be worth the pain and effort.

Forgotten Farmhouse in Frenchtown

Frenchtown, New Jersey, Stone Farmhouse, old stone houses, old stone homes for sale, historic preservation, masonry, fixer upper for sale, 80 acres, Bucks County

Frenchtown, New Jersey, Stone Farmhouse, old stone houses, old stone homes for sale, historic preservation, masonry, fixer upper for sale, 80 acres, farmland, Bucks County

Situated on the edge of historic Frenchtown, New Jersey, you will find this stone farmhouse (tax records say it dates to 1875). The home sits on almost 80 acres of secluded farmland that boasts horse trails, wooded areas and even a pond. The three-bedroom farmhouse is in a sorry state, indeed. But the land has such potential — and who wouldn’t love living right across the Delaware River from Bucks County, Pennsylvania!

Hopeless Case in Havre de Grace

Havre de Grace, Maryland, old stone houses, old stone homes, historic preservation, fixer upper for sale, masonry, large wooded lot

Havre de Grace, Maryland, old stone houses, old stone homes for sale, historic preservation, fixer upper for sale, masonry, abandoned places

Havre de Grace, Maryland, old stone houses, old stone homes, historic preservation, fixer upper for sale, masonry

Located in the sleepy harbor town of Havre de Grace, Maryland, this patchworked property is being sold for the land, not the home, which dates to 1860. The place is in such a bad state of disrepair that potential buyers must sign a “Hold Harmless & Right-of-Entry Agreement” before entering the property! We’re not sure about you, but we couldn’t bear to tear down this historic structure.

Timeworn Cottage in a Port Town

Huntington, West Virginia, stone cottage, old stone homes for sale, old stone houses, historic preservation, masonry, fixer upper for sale

Huntington West Virginia Stone Cottage, old stone houses, old stone homes, masonry, historic preservation, fixer upper for sale

Huntington West Virginia Stone Cottage, old stone houses, old stone homes, masonry, historic preservation, fixer upper for sale, wooded lot

Not much information exists about this old stone cottage in the woods. It’s age? Hard to say. Maybe circa 1930s-50s? The cozy home is nestled on over three acres of woodland in Huntington, West Virginia, which itself sits at the confluence of the Guyandotte and Ohio Rivers. With a heavy dose of elbow grease and some vision, this dilapidated structure could truly shine. The perfect weekend or summer getaway!

Last Hope for La Loma Treasure

La Loma, New Mexico, old stone home for sale, old stone houses, old stone cottages, Southwest Style, masonry, adobe, front yard, historic preservation, fixer upper for sale

La Loma, New Mexico, old stone home for sale, old stone houses, old stone cottages, Southwest Style, masonry, adobe, beamed interiors, historic preservation, fixer upper for sale

La Loma, New Mexico, old stone home for sale, old stone houses, old stone cottages, Southwest Style, masonry, adobe, historic preservation, fixer upper for sale

A rare find, this Southwest-style cottage located in La Loma, New Mexico, features solid adobe, stone and block construction. Although this home sits on only 3/4 acres, the seller also has 11+ acres — with water rights on the Pecos River — available nearby. Granted, interiors are a wreck right now, but a handyman could quickly whip this home into shape.

Pioneer Home Turned Rehab Project

Fredericksburg, Texas, Pioneer homestead, old stone home for sale, old stone houses, old stone Smokehouse, historic preservation, masonry, fixer upper for sale

Fredericksburg, Texas, Pioneer homestead, old stone home for sale, old stone houses, old stone Smokehouse, farmland, historic preservation, masonry, fixer upper for sale

This pioneer homestead, constructed of limestone, circa 1878, has a new standing-seam roof and windows. It only needs the touch of an old stone home lover to preserve interiors. The Fredericksburg, Texas, property includes an old smokehouse, a storage building and over 77 acres of lush farmland.

Vote for Your Favorite Old Stone Cottage!

November 3, 2015 / oldstonehouses / Leave a comment

We scoured the market for the most adorable old stone cottages currently up for grabs. Some have been lovingly tended, while others offer an opportunity to flex those remodeling muscles. Take a look at these 10 lovelies and tell us which one you would love to own.

Circa-1850s stone home, Madison, Indiana

Circa-1780 solid stone home, Reading, Pennsylvania, Maiden Creek, old stone homes for sale, old stone house, old stone cottage

Circa-1780 stone home, Reading, Pennsylvania

Gerrit Van Zandt House, historic stone home, Oriskatach, Feura Bush, New York, old stone homes for sale, old stone house, old stone cottage

Gerrit Van Zandt House, circa 1755, Feura Bush, New York

Stony Acres, old stone and stucco home, Clinton Township, New Jersey, old stone homes for sale, old stone house, old stone cottage

Stony Acres, circa 1800s, Clinton Township, New Jersey

Granite Stone Home, Brightwood Hall, Bristol, Connecticut, old stone homes for sale, old stone houses, old stone cottage

Granite home, circa 1892, Bristol, Connecticut

Circa-1875 stone home, Keymar, Maryland

Circa-1885 stone home, Fredericksburg, Texas

Circa-1845 stone home, Hillsdale, Michigan

old stone homes for sale, Dixon Illinois, fixer upper, old stone house, old stone cottage

Old stone fixer-upper, Dixon, Illinois

Quaker-built, circa-1776 old stone farmhouse, Purcellville, Virginia, old stone homes for sale, old stone house, old stone cottage

Circa-1776 stone farmhouse, Purcellville, Virginia

A Story of Old Stone Homes in Tennessee

October 22, 2015 / oldstonehouses / Leave a comment

A Pennsylvanian by birth, I came to live in Eastern Tennessee in 2008. A job planted me there for about five years. Quite lovely country, I thought, but it’s a land of log cabins, not old stone homes. After exploring the countryside, I realized I was wrong.

Ramsey House was my first real experience with a stone home in a Southern state. Breathtaking, it reminded me of many federal-style homesteads I had toured back home. And rightly so. Its original owner, Pennsylvania-born and of Scots-Irish heritage, hired an English-born architect to design and build the house of locally sourced pink marble and grey limestone – most likely in keeping with manses in his home state. Everything I love about old stone homes – intricate interior woodwork, a big walk-in cooking hearth and cozy fireplaces and a grand winding staircase – you’ll find at Ramsey House. Even a ghost or two (wink)!

Ramsey House Plantation, Knoxville, Tennessee, old stone home, old stone houses, historic houses

Ramsey House Plantation, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1936, old stone home, old stone houses, stone mansion, old stone homes, historic homes

Ramsey House Staircase, Knoxville, Tennessee, old stone house, old stone home, historic homes

Ramsey House Woodwork, Knoxville, Tennessee, old stone home, old stone house, historic home

So I was sitting at my computer today, pondering what to write. And Tennessee, for some reason, popped to mind. I did a search and – boom – up popped two gorgeous old stone homes for sale. Minus some columns and an odd architectural detail or two, these homes would look right at home if nestled on a country back road in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Maryland.

Wills-Dickey Stone House, Kingsport, Tennessee
Two-foot-thick stone walls. Can you imagine? This graceful lady was built around 1790 by Jacob and Mary Wills in a portion of Tennessee that was once part of Virginia. A two-story limestone dwelling, this mansion sits on over an acre of riverfront property, boasts its own barn, a guest house and four fireplaces and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Inspiration for this home’s design? Jacob was born in Pennsylvania and no doubt learned the art of stone masontry in his home state.

Wills Mansion, Jacob and Mary Wills, old stone house, old stone home, Kingsport, Tennessee, old stone homes for sale, historic homes

Jacob and Mary Wills Stone House Tennessee, old stone house, old stone home, historic home, old stone homes for sale

Wills Stone Mansion Bedroom, Wills Stone House, Kingsport, Tennessee, old stone house, old stone home, old stone homes for sale, historic homes

The Peter Range Sr. House
Imagine living in a home built by a Revolutionary War soldier! Peter Range Sr., of German descent and born in New Jersey, moved to present-day Johnson City (lower Knob Creek), Tennessee, with his wife Elizabeth and first child in 1777. He built his first home, a two-story log home, in 1796. That primitive structure forms part of the full basement of the present-day, circa 1804 home, constructed of hand-cut blue limestone. It was built along with a grist mill (Twin Falls), which is now but a memory. The home, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, boasts four fireplaces, interior exposed-stone walls and original wide-planked wood flooring.

Peter Range Sr. House Tennessee, Johnson City, Knob Creek, old stone house, old stone homes for sale, historic homes

Knob Creek, Tennessee, Johnson City, Peter Range Sr. House, old stone house, old stone homes for sale, historic homes

Peter Range Sr. House Backyard, old stone house, old stone homes for sale, Johnson City, Knob Creek, Tennessee, historic homes

Peter Range Sr. House, interior stonework, Johnson City, Knob Creek, old stone house, old stone homes for sale, historic homes, masonry

Grey Beauties of Vermont

October 15, 2015 / oldstonehouses / Leave a comment

Holy smokes, Vermont! We had no idea you laid claim to some of the prettiest old stone homes in the country. Check out these stunners — from old-fashioned farmhouses to Greek revival-style mansions. The dreamy grey stone is likely marble, mica schist or granite. These six beauties are all up for grabs. We couldn’t think of a better way to start a brand new life!

: Greek revival-style stone home, circa 1824, Orwell, Vermont

: Gothic revival-style mica schist stone home, circa mid-1800s, Cavendish, Vermont

: Stone farmhouse, circa 1825, Jeffersonville, Vermont

: Colonial stone home, circa 1792, Panton, Vermont

: Colonial stone home, circa 1820s, Pittsford, Vermont

: Federal-style circa-1840 stone home, Chester, VT

Nurturing a Family in an Old Stone Schoolhouse

August 21, 2015 / oldstonehouses / Leave a comment

Just this week, The Baltimore Sun published a story of one couple’s decades-long love affair with an old stone schoolhouse. The building, constructed in 1879 of locally quarried granite and originally coined Baltimore County Schoolhouse No. 3, was converted to a home in the 1940s and then used as an antiques store in the 1990s before the Brickner-Filipczaks took ownership. But now that the couple’s children are grown, they are ready to pass the home on to the next generation of “caretakers”.

Baltimore County Schoolhouse No. 3, wood banister, old stone schoolhouse, historic home

Baltimore County Schoolhouse No. 3, bedroom, old stone schoolhouse

Baltimore County Schoolhouse No. 3, historic gardens, old stone schoolhouse, Maryland, historic homes

Baltimore County Schoolhouse No. 3, formal dining room, old stone schoolhouse, historic home

Baltimore County Schoolhouse No. 3, Baltimore, Maryland, old stone schoolhouse, old stone homes, historic homes for sale

Is the thought of living in an old stone schoolhouse your dream come true? Check out these other adorable properties on the market:

Cross Roads Schoolhouse, old stone schoolhouse, historic home, New Jersey

Cross Roads Schoolhouse, circa 1830, Chester, New Jersey

Brecknock Township Schoolhouse, old stone schoolhouse, historic houses, Pennsylvania

Brecknock Township Schoolhouse, circa 1850, Denver, Pennsylvania

Brick and stone schoolhouse, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, old stone homes, historic homes

Brick and stone schoolhouse, circa 1880, Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

Old Stone Castles: Love at First Sight

August 19, 2015 / oldstonehouses / Leave a comment

There’s something so romantic about an old stone castle — the winding staircases, turrets and secrete passageways. And, of course, a ghost or two. Believe it or not, old stone castles do exist in the US — we’ve found several on the market! Take a look at this bunch and tell us which historic home you’d love to call your own!

Wentworth Castle, stone castle, old stone home, Jackson, New Hampshire, White Mountains, historic home

Wentworth Castle, circa 1891, Jackson, New Hampshire

Old stone home, stone castle, Palatine, New York, historic home

Old stone mansion, circa 1895, Palatine, New York

Parker Hill Mansion, stone castle, old stone home, Easton, Pennsylvania, historic home

Parker Hill Mansion, circa late 1800s, Easton, Pennsylvania

Rocky Hill Castle, stone castle, old stone home, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, historic home

Rocky Hill Castle, circa 1820, Chadds Ford, New York

Save an Old Stone Home

July 14, 2015 / oldstonehouses / 1 Comment

Now’s your chance to live the dream: buy an old stone home at a steal and renovate from inside out to suit your needs. These fixer-uppers require a few cans of paint and some elbow grease, for sure. But the return on investment? Priceless!

Audience participation requested: If you have a few moments, pick a home, click on the image to review the details and then tell us how you would bring your favorite stone treasure back to life.

old stone farmhouse for sale in Pipersville, Pennsylvania, fixer upper, as is home for sale

Stone farmhouse in Pipersville, PA, circa 1740

old stone home for sale in Asbury, NJ, fixer upper, as is home

Stone farmhouse in Asbury, NJ, circa 1780

Old stone cottage with windmill in Mason, TX, circa 1900

stone cape cod, old stone home for sale, Melbourne, Kentucky

Stone cape cod in Melbourne, KY, circa 1875

Dreamy Stone Cottages

June 24, 2015February 10, 2016 / oldstonehouses / 1 Comment

Dreaming of a tiny stone cottage befit for a fairy tale? The Cotswalds and Irish countryside don’t lay claim. We found some lovely little gems right here in the States! Take a peek and tell us which one fits your vision.

Park-Like Setting in Pennsylvania

old stone cottage, Delta, Pennsylvania, Historic Ox Bow House, Muddy Creek

Delta, Pennsylvania, is the location of the historic Ox Bow House, a circa-1800 stone cottage that was once part of the Castle Finn iron forge plantation. The fieldstone home is nestled on over 30 park-like acres of lush farmland and boasts a large walk-in fireplace and original slate roof. An added bonus: Muddy Creek cuts right through the property, offering the new owner opportunities for fishing, kayaking, gemstone panning and more.

Classic German Architecture in New Jersey

old stone cottage, Long Valley, New Jersey
Built in 1782, this cottage sits on a quiet lane in the colonial-era town of Long Valley, New Jersey. The town, founded by German immigrants and originally coined, “German Valley,” boasts fine examples of German colonial architecture (i.e. amazing old stone homes). This adorable cottage is surrounded by gardens and outbuildings and also boasts lovely wide-plank pine flooring.

Lovely “Luxe”-Style Cottage in Iowa

We head to Iowa to see the third stone cottage, a circa-1875 structure that originally served as a boys’ school. The humble stone home is located in the village of St. Donatus, a farming community founded in 1846 by Luxembourg immigrants and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The home is fashioned from locally sourced limestone and features white pine floors and 12-foot ceilings.

Colonial-Era Stone Homes of the Mid-Atlantic

May 13, 2015February 10, 2016 / oldstonehouses / Leave a comment

What would it be like to live in a home built during America’s colonial period, before the signing of the Declartation? Would the home’s rich past compensate for the mysterious creaks and cracks, the occasional draft and “improvements” that have done more harm than good?

These Mid-Atlantic homes are looking for new owners. You up for the challenge? Take a look and tell us which one you’d pick.

Year Built: 1705

old stone home, Holland Hall, Saugerties, New York, early American home, colonial-era home

Open hearth, walk-in fireplace, brick fireplace

Slaves Waiting for Sale, Richmond Virginia by Eyre Crowe, 1861

Known as Holland Hall, this circa-1705 stone home, located in Saugerties, New York, boasts stunning views of the Catskills. The home features three bedrooms and three old hearths that could easily be put back to use.
Most outstanding feature: Original open hearths
Colonial happenings of the year: Virginia became the first colony to establish a comprehensive slave code. The code asserted that slaves were real estate. Benjamin Franklin was born the following year.

Year Built: 1730

Old stone home, Ellicott City, Maryland, early American home, colonial-era home, Carroll family

Old barn, Ellicott City, Maryland, stone foundation, barn foundation

View of Baltimore by William Henry Bartlett (1809-1854)

This Ellicott City, Maryland, farmhouse, circa 1730, has been passed down through Maryland’s Carroll family (Charles Carroll was a signer of the Declaration of Independence). The home includes exposed stone interior walls and cottage gardens awaiting a green thumb’s touch.
Most outstanding feature: The rustic barn with stone foundation
Colonial happenings of the year: Baltimore was founded in the Maryland colony. The Great Awakening, an evangelical religious movement, swepted through America.

Year Built: 1740

Old stone millhouse, Pennsylvania stone home, Early American home, colonial-era homes

Famine Ships, Irish Immigrants, Shenandoah Valley, 1740

Below Deck 4 by Lichtie

Built in 1740, this Georgian-style millhouse, located in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, is nestled along a babbling stream. An extensive renovation in 2003 melded the best of old and new.
Most outstanding feature: Proximity to stream
Colonial happenings of the year: The King George’s War erupted overseas. Famine in Ireland sent many settlers to the Shenandoah Valley area.

Year Built: 1750

old stone home, colonial-era home, Early American home, New Jersey, historic home

Old stone home, colonial-era home, New Jersey, back yard, Early AMerican home

Conestoga Wagon by Newbold Hough Trotter (1827-1898)

This Bloomsbury, New Jersey, stone home, constructed in 1750, comes with an attached rancher that you can live in while restoration work is under way.
Most outstanding feature: Lush 1.5-acre lot
Colonial happenings of the year: The population of the American colonies reached one million. The flatboat and the Conestoga wagon improved transportation.

Year Built: 1770

Old stone home, Virginia, early American home, colonial era home, 1770

Boston Massacre, William L. Champney, 1770

Boston Massacre, March 5th, 1770, by William L. Champney (fl. 1850-1857)

Lagrange Farm, a circa-1770 stone estate located in Stephens City, Virginia, has successfully stood the test of time. With a timber bank barn and over seven acres of land, this property is the perfect place to establish a business – or family retreat.
Most outstanding feature: Acres of pasture
Colonial happenings of the year: The population of the American colonies reached just over 2.2 million people. The Boston Massacre occurred.

Old Stone Houses

A pinch of inspiration and interesting facts about stone homes of the past

Old Stone Homes For Sale