I guess after rambling for a while now I should actually share about the house itself. First I have to scream to the mountains, “THIS HOUSE HAS SOLID BONES”. I knew this when I first walked the property before even offering on it but even my nine year old commented as we walked around, “Mom this places is a lot nicer then the other houses you have done”. Good eye my little protégée. Not only is it in better shape but those other houses, he was referring to, were more than a half century younger!
The over all good condition of the house has to be attributed to not only the original craftsmanshsip and solid construction but the previous owners care they took this last decade. I watched, as did we all, as this house slowly fall into decay in prior years. It even looked at one point that the tower was about to fall. Maybe it was an optical allusion because of the disrepair of the rest of the property and the over growth. But slow and steady the faded maroon siding started to shine with a sunshine yellow of fresh paint.
I guess I never went back either and explained what I found when I finally did look deeper into the overall condition of the property. I never called the water company to find out exactly to what extent the tap was at. Crossing my fingers only to find out the line was already trenched to the house. I remember the morning of closing having a slight moment of panic, even though it wasn’t panic enough to back out. “Maybe when the realtor said water just needed connected to the house she meant from the tap at the road, not to the waterlines in the house? ” I thought to myself, “Thats a long driveway to have to trench and run that line ” and that was NOT something I put in my worst case budget. Septic and new leach lines however I had account for the potential of that. So I did ask the seller directly after closing about the water and to what extent and progress it currently was. Imagine my relief to find out it had already been trenched and stubbed into the basement ready to start running lines. He did warn me not to use the existing lines however as he had cut some and rerouted others and had not connected any. Also, when I called to confirm I was reading the septic inspection correctly, it seemed new leach lines were installed in 2009 and a die test had come back clean. Whew, two major expenses off my list, yay more budget for the fun stuff.
Next to the HVAC. I knew a brand new high efficiency unit was installed on the main floor but did not expect to have much time before winter to get the upstairs heated. A few weeks before the first cold snap I went over and fired both on. When the upstairs unit kicked on without even a hiccup my stomach dropped. NO FREAKIN WAY!! I waited, assuming it had to sputter off any second. I even called my husband and asked him to stop by on his way home and confirm if it was still running or if I had just imaged it. I called the HVAC company who had installed the main unit and inspected the upper. The notes said the upper kicked on and function ok but would likely have clogged coils in the summer. Well it was only October so as long as I got heat through the winter I’m set for now. I have been doing this enough to know the headache from a cold frozen property and the potential outcomes that can arise. Fortunately I don’t have pipes to freeze at the moment. However the wear a property withstands with fluctuating temperature or just sitting in frigid cold is one I’m sure she is accustomed to but I’d like to avoid when possible.
I ordered a temperature and a smoke detector monitoring system and fire extinguisher first off and placed them at the home. On my notes to the emergency crew, should they ever be called for a fire. “SAVE the house at all costs!!” Don’t bother calling me, break down a door and put out the fire. Even with the security cameras not consistently operational, since there is no high speed internet, I told my husband I don’t really care if someone brakes in a takes tools. I have insurance for that, as much as it would suck if that happened tools are replaceable. This house is NOT!
So after finishing my typical, before offer, leg work, after closing, and expecting to have discovered at least few set backs. I found NONE that I wasn’t prepared for in fact I found less. The HVAC is working enough to get me to summer. The septic was newer and passed its prior inspections. The water line tap fee had not only been paid, but trenched and stubbed into the house!! So waterlines are missing, thats no big deal since I would probably have just wanted to re run it anyway. Not that I would have undone any prior work but I much prefer to do that all myself so I know exactly what is where.
The plan is to install a tankless water heater and manifold system with pex line. My plumber hesitated on that idea at first but after more discussion of the future intend use of this property agreed a manifold is best for this application.
Im looking into window restorations and storm windows for the second floor because the main floor already has them! The Tower Windows I’m not decided on. From reports they have to withstand a lot of wind and have been prone to blow outs over the years.
Now to floor. I think this so far is my favorite part. Although it pains me. We cleaned the existing 2 inch plank tung and grove floor and it cleaned up really nice. Sad face because underneath it is what I believe to be the original 4 inch planked floor. Now trust me I hate to remove something that is perfectly functional and not an eye sore. But… I really want to see whats below it and fingers crossed don’t regret that decision later.
Now I will mention kitchens and baths only because they are a major part of any house. But I’m leaving it at that. I have my ideas but Im not sharing them just yet because these decisions alone will be the most admired or criticized of the entire restoration. So I may allude to some but I also may just keep that to myself until the very end.
Im not 100% sure of drain lines yet but im keeping my fingers crossed I can use the existing as much as possible. And just for a teaser.. my budget so far on the kitchen.. na.. its too all over the place. Im going to keep that nugget to myself for now. Lets just say my Pinterest board is as disorganized as my 2nd graders room, and I dread going in there!
Ok so this is going to sound a bit off the looney tunes bus, but.. I have become obsessed with bathrooms!! When I first bought this house, as I already mentioned I assumed I was just renovating it. Then as it became a restoration to bring the house back to its original glory and character, I thought well, “whew, at least I don’t have to honor bathrooms since there weren’t any back then”. HAH!!! Then I did my reading and like I already alluded to in my previous post. This was one of the first houses in the county with indoor plumbing. Uuhhhhh .. blank stare…perplexed, blink a bit, lip starts to drool… what does that mean in 1886?!?!?!?!?!?!
I wonder how long this style of encasing everything in wood finishes lasted before anyone realized wood and wet areas don’t make good friends.
So then in typical Jessica fashion I kind of fixated and went on a mission to find out. Oh my goodness is this stuff interesting. Well maybe it’s just me that might find bathrooms interesting but the history of them is kind of intriguing. I mean anyone who likes designing or renovating houses, loves bathrooms and kitchens. It’s the bread and butter of any house, but how many of us have taken the time to learn where they started and progressed from, or the building methods used.
If in doubt, check Amazon out! I may have gotten just a few too many late 19th century bathroom catalogues.
I have alway found it hard to relate to history. I am a visual kinesthetic learner. If you tell me a story or I read a book I’m only going to get a fraction of the information and I’m NOT going to retain it. Made school really hard. So when I heard and read about victorian era and such time periods, of early America I just imagined these prim and proper high society stuck up type people who wore fancy elaborate dresses. Then again that is more visually pleasing on a movie screen and thats the only visual I ever had. BUT then this project came along, and coincidently a fixation of my daughter with historical American Girl Dolls, that I really started to process and relate closer to the actual humanity of history. I could now see it through the lenses of something visual, not just words on a page.
Before indoor plumbing, can you imagine in a big ol’ skirt and hoops and petite coats or whatever women wore, having to trapes out to the outhouse during a sunny day or worse raining or snowing and hiking up all that fabric, enough to do your business! Maybe thats another reason families were so big. Help a sister out, literally.
This is in the back of the carriage house. I’m assuming this is the outhouse but not sure why there are 2 holes? His and hers? Also fun fact I learned there are people, locally, who find the old privy and dig it up to find a treasure full of historical artifacts, since often times the privy was also used as trash… Oh don’t even wonder… Im going to be digging up the privy at some point just accept it.
Additionally I’ve come to suspect those beautiful wash basins made out of procain with pretty flowers painted on them. Well.. if it was only, um.. this is going to get blocked or yanked down by social media somewhere but I have no idea how to describe this with demur. If you had to go number 1 no hiking to the outhouse necessary, just stick that beautiful piece of artwork under those skirts and… “let it go” (can you hear Elsa singing?)
Maybe its just me and other people already understood this about basic human needs and how they were dealt with by our ancestors but until I saw pictures and diagrams (of bathrooms and bathroom furniture, not going that far) I was honestly clueless, I just assumed the outhouse was the sole solution. But there were some ingenious ideas, although some peculiar to our standards. You still cant help but admire the ingenuity of humanity. For example everyone has heard of a Murphy bed, but what about a Murphy tub! Yep thats right. It was a very high end product in its time with a price tag only the very wealthy could afford of $15 -$35 for those with a built in water heater.
So anyway, for those who already know all about bathrooms sorry for the review, or maybe I’m totally wrong. But those that may be like me and had NO CLUE about the evolution of the bathroom I figured I’d share some pictures from my research.
No one likes a cold shower, check out these water heaters!
I have not figured out yet exactly what the bathroom looked liked in this house. I know there was a tub and shower but I’ve found nothing more than that. Part of me really wants to make it authentic to what Matilda designed in her home. But the realist in me is pulling the other way. I’m really not sure where I will land yet but the research sure is fun.
These just look like your stepping in a jail cell or dinosaur fossils spinal columThink this is where “water closet” came from?Well.. some things don’t seem to have changed to much.
OHHH I love the planning stages. Only thing better is the completed project! But the space between is like being pregnant for nine months. You know it takes time for something beautiful to grow and develop but you are oh so eager to see your baby. And, by the end just want to be done.
Im sitting here on the floor for the short hour alone I have, while my husband drops off the kids with their grandparents for the night. We are supposed to have a date night tonight. I have my sketch pad, ruler, tape measure and masking tape trying to make a room that has never had rough plumbing, not only work, but function, flow and most of all not feel tossed together. Huge pet peeve of mine is bathrooms that you feel as if doing the cha cha is the only way to get to your destination. Inevitably, for me, as I sit there peeing in those cha cha bathrooms, I come up with two or three better ways it could have been laid out.
Honestly this is the fun stage. Drawing, erasing, measuring, re imagining. Much of the house does not need this much in depth design. Most is just walls trim paint, ceiling floors. Funny how I say, “just” but there could be so much more. Of course who knows if I’ll find nightmares behind any walls but as of right now baths and kitchen are the MAJOR overhauls needed. Two bathrooms are already in existence but even without any water, they leave something to be desired.
Then there is this green room. I have no idea what it was originally but in the recent past its obvious its been a laundry room. But that is the extent of the plumbing. So needless to say, getting 4 more plumbing fixtures and drain lines run to this room is going to be FUN! You may think I say “fun” sarcastically but Im a cook job. I think that part is fun. Its like the best type of puzzle. You know there is a perfect solution and one acceptable outcome but until you get it you just cant stop working on it.
When it comes to colors and tile patterns, I can do that and enjoy it but not nearly as much as the layout part of the process. So that’s what I’ll be doing in my spare time. Finding the perfect layout for three bathrooms, one of which will be new for that space.
Sometimes in life you write the story, but other times the story has already been written and you’re just one of the characters.
To most people in this area, the Tower House, or Orchard House, as she has also been know by, has demanded attention and admiration for over a century. Sitting back just far enough from the road to spark the curiosity and admiration of some and completely missed by others. Yet anyone who appreciates architecture, construction, design, history or real estate has taken notice. I’m no different from the millions who have admired it over the last 134 years. I’m just humbled and grateful that I get to be one of the people who gets to be part of her story.
The cat and the bicycle doesn’t help debunk the rumors of this house being haunted.
I have learned since acquiring the property that there are categories of renovators, which in the past I have remained in the typical category of simply a flipper. I have enjoyed renovating a handful of older homes and building my own in 2016. But that is completely different from restoring a piece of history. I will confess, I never knew much more about this house except how neat it looked and, like everyone else, I just wanted to see inside. I also know little of historical side of things. I have always dreamt about this property but I never told anyone. I was fully aware how massive an undertaking it would be, not to mention unlikely I would ever have the means resources or skills to do so. But thats exactly why I never spoke these things out. Not only was it so unlikely to ever happen but I knew the notion had crossed the minds of a multitude of others like me who are way more qualified to take on such a project. Additionally having the means… to match the ambitions… at the right time…was an even more unlikely sequence of events. The tiny glimmer of hope stayed in the depths of my mind for years, yearning that maybe someday, the stars would align.
In 2009 this house went up for auction right when I was just starting my family. Pregnant with our first son, deciding to quit my job and be a stay at home mom while simultaneously tying to support my husband’s early career and his ambitious goals left little time for anything else. To be honest, doing anything was beyond that was not within my capabilities as a new mother. Three kids and four years later was the first realistic opportunity I had to start investing and renovating real estate. From the first project I was hooked. I love walking into a space and figuring out the impossible or creating the unthought of. Adding bathrooms, moving walls opening up doorways making a space flow and feel comfortable to be in.
September of 2021 my husband and I were driving past the Tower House and just for small talk I decided to share, “you know” I said, “I have always wanted to be apart of that house’s restoration. If it ever goes on the market I’m going to get it” His reply was, “ok”. I assumed at the time, and since confirmed, that tidbit I shared was only partially processed in his mind, Im not even sure he even knew what house I was talking about. He acknowledged his support, like he always has. He has never been anything other than supportive about my crazy ideas, and then life went on. Three weeks later, it’s on the market, and NO my husband, who drives past it every day to and from work, was not the one to inform me.
Original barn and carriage houseThe barn as since fallen. The clock is ticking to save the carriage house.
To be clear, I was not actively or even passively looking for a project. In 2018 I decided to put all projects aside. I walked away from some exciting opportunities in order to go back to focusing on my kids and homeschooling. I love working, but when I do I tend to hyper focus on projects until the job is done to the exclusion of sometimes even basic needs. But I love my kids more and I was missing too much. Universal Mom dilemma right? But that’s for a different post. Anyway, less than three weeks after voicing my desires out loud I was meeting a good friend, halfway between here and her home in Kentucky. During small talk, discussing if she would ever move back to Wilmington, she mentions this house she would love to live in. I was way more interested in even the slightest chance of her moving back, but as she’s telling me about the house, as we sate on a bench watching the kids, my head turned abruptly when realized exactly which house she was talking about. I immediately text my realtor (after making sure my friend did not truly have realistic plans to move back to town). I would have much rather her back locally, living in this home than buying it myself. But if that can’t happen this is the next best thing.
Short story shorter, it was on the market for six days and I bid against one other investor. This started a trend of breaking all my investing rules.
Rule 1. I never compete for properties. I live in a rural midwest county. There is no need to compete for a property. There just isn’t that many people or demands and values are just not typically that high, pre covid of course.
2. Never want a property too much or be emotionally attached to a purchase potential. My realtor has been with me for years. She saw this and played devisl advocate well with me not hiding any of her reserve and hesitancy to offer on this house, she has always had my back. She saw I was an incy wincy bit more attached then I’d like to admit. After seeing the house and discussing further she masterfully negotiated a perfect competing offer on the house.
I also broke another rule during the purchase offer stage.
Rule 3. Do your research. I hold high standards for my potential projects, I run numbers, inspect and calculate returns and create plan A, B, C and worst case scenario. I did none of that with this one, other than a quick glance on the auditors site and my own visual inspection during showing, which was piss poor because I was too enamored by the house itself. I was way more inthralled with her architecture and distinctive qualities to care what the numbers came back with. For those that know me that is uncharacteristic. I am methodical and NOT spontaneous. I take calculated risks not careless ones.
Rule 4. Inspections. Either by my myself, a licensed inspector in my early days, or a second set of trusted eyes. I confirmed none of the major mechanical functions like I typically would; septic, water supply, HVAC, water heater, utilitie expenses, NOTHING!! Not even if there was running water, which turns out there is not.
I didn’t even read all the paperwork that came with the listing. It was a huge packet of information way more than a typical listing. I knew there was some history in there but honestly I didn’t have time to sort through it all. With getting an offer prepared and my funds in order in less than 48 hrs all I did was glance at the disclosure, to humor my realtor. I chuckled when disclosures were even offered. I mean, the house is over 100 years old. I honestly would have been more shocked if every single disclosure item wasn’t checked.
After closing I asked the seller if they would walk through the property with me and tell me all about what they had done, found, fixed etc. over the thirteen years they had it. I would have asked sooner but no good selling agent would allow their client to do this before closing so I waited patiently to make this request. We spent the rest of the afternoon going through every detail of the house. He had so much passion for it and was so eager and excited to share everything he could as he passed the torch to me. As we were about to depart, much later then planned, he asked me if I had known all that he had shared would I still have bought the house. My answer, with out the slightest hesitation was YEP SURE WOULD!! I hope that helped him feel good about his decision to sell, It shocked me how confident I was still feeling about the purchase. Again over 100 years old and not really in awful decline. My mother commented at one point that the basement stairs looked crooked. I snapped back defending the house as if I built it myself, “you’d be crooked to if you were still standing after 100 years.”
Now just to clearify a tad. I wasn’t completely aloof on this purchase although more aloof than typical. I ran a quick rough budget to include replacing all major mechanicals assuming a few would be functional and the rest of the budget could go to finishes. I also suspected, but didn’t confirm until after the sale, its designation on the national historic registry. I knew there was some information about the first owners but not to what extent and I assumed there was some influence in local history. Yet again assumed it would be left at that. An assumption or suspicion of facts never to be confirmed or disproved with snippets here and there but surely it was too old to confirm much more. I couldn’t have been more wrong. It will take months to organize what I have gathered so far and even longer to try to tell her story with accuracy and integrity.
As I finally sat down to do my research on this house, realizing there was more research to be done than just the construction side but an entire historical treasure trove of information to sort though as well. Typically I go in redesign fix up replace etc. and get it back on the market for its new home owners to start making their memories. But this house is so much different. She started to tell me her story in details in a way I would struggle to just explain to you about what I eat for breakfast. I have found Information about the first owners who designed and built it and their reasons and motivation. Their personal struggles, and triumphs, who even a century later many of us could relate to. How advanced the house was for its time and how progressive the values the family held and accomplishments of its members. I’ll share all those details and history at some point. I’m still collecting and trying to keep it all straight. Yet as my research kept leading farther and farther I realized quickly this was not going to be just a renovation. I was going to have to learn about historical homes, their construction and preservation techniques, trends and styles of each period, when plumbing and electricity became standard and the different functions it serviced and progression in methods. Ok so I didn’t have to, but something inside pulled me in this direction, not only for the sake of the house, but part of me wanted to challenge myself to learn a new area of the industry I love. And even more of the challenge was going to be how to tell her story within the design and restoration process Spoiler alert, this house HAD indoor plumbing in 1886!!! However if you read the captions in the photos you already caught that.
So if I build up the nerve to push the ‘post’ button on this and commit to share this journey of her restoration, I do so knowing it’s not just the story of the physical restoration I have to represent well.
I can’t begin to express how honored I feel and blessed to have this opportunity. I get butterflies every time I pass by, drive up the driveway or walk around the property in complete disbelief that my name is on the title. I’m in complete awe that she chose me when there are countless others more qualified, skilled and talented than myself. Fortunately I know quite a few of just such people, and I fully intend to lean on them and their talents through this journey. But just maybe, as I continue reading and understand her beginnings, she chose me because of a deeper connection no one could have foreseen. YEP cliff hanger right there. A few things have come up in my research so far that caused an audible “holly shit!” To come out of my mouth.
So I make this promise to myself more than anyone else. I will do my absolute best to blend the unique historical integrity and design intents of her original owners with the modern comforts and standards expected in 22nd century homes. And the only person I can confidently know will approve is me. I learned long ago I can’t please everyone and trying too please others leads nowhere but heartache. So I am stepping out in faith and sharing this publicly because so many love this house and it would be selfish and a disservice not to share the legacy and influence of this house and her family, with all who have admired from a distance over the last century. I have had quite a few people ask if I would share the progress. So as much as I HATE social media and being out there for the world to see and judge here we go. I do not intend to win any literary awards. English was never a subject I excelled in. Math, geometry, and algebra I could do in my sleep, but I can’t tell you the ” I before e” rule or where to place a comma. My brain runs 365 miles a minute, could be the ADD, so typos and spelling errors are my calling card. God bless my friends and family who have learned to read and interpret “Jessica”. My husband always tells me I’m a great writer. I know he is biased, I could write, “fart diddly scoop” and he would think its Nobel Prize worthy. But it is because of his unwavering belief in me, his encouragement even when I doubt and his unmatched ability to keep looking forward even when the world is burning down around us, that I will pull my strength and courage from during the daunting project ahead of me. Not only as I navigate new waters of historical restoration but documenting it on social media. I hope if you choose to follow you will judge on substance, design and execution and not editorial expertise.
Just thought I’d do a quick photo walk through tour. There is so much to this house there is no way I can impart all of it in one post. It really seems as if it’s becoming more of a thesis project than simply the renovation I thought I was purchasing. So I will try to be brief yet as inclusive as possible. Brief history: This house was built by Zephaniah Underwood for his wife Matilda in 1884-1886. After the loss of there baby Olive he offered to build whatever she designed to help take her mind off her grief. And design she did. I have been in so many older homes, but this one you can tell has so much intentionality and flow to the design and layout. My typical M.O. is go in any property and move walls and open spaces to flow better and I really couldn’t even try and do that if I wanted to with this one. There is nothing I could do to the layout to make this any better than Matilda originally designed it. She and I may be kindred spirits! When you first walk in the front foyer you stand here. The floor used to be mosaic tile (and yes Im going to try to bring that element back). To the right is a front room that was used for a guest room or sick room. I would assume that at some point over the years the stairs were opened up. Which personally I like as it gives the room a more open feeling. But telling a brief history is part of the tour and its original design was a bedroom. Jane (Underwood) Downing Matilda’s mom I believe passed here surround by family.
Directly in front is another room with a fire place and pocket doors. This the main floor bay window that is below the tower. The door to the left of the fireplace was once an additional entry to the kitchen but has since been closed off to a closet and electric/plumbing chase.
Beyond the pocket doors is this room. Originally just another entertaining room. It was designed to host many guest more comfortbley when needed or closed off if desired.
Although un-original to the house’s first design, this room has also been a kitchen in the more recent past. Because of the nature of the homes future purpose it will likely become the kitchen once again but I will incorporate elements that honor its heritage. To the right of this blue room is a second side entry. Currently this door is quite snug, and by snug I mean I haven’t even tried to get it open for fear I won’t get it closed. Im not ready to deal with that. But across from this door is a small closet storage area under the front stairs. Also if you notice sitting quietly, patiently are the pocket doors just wondering when their time will come to be returned to their rightful place.
Beyone the blue room is the original kitchen. This room was completed by the previous owner.
And off the kitchen is this gem. Anyone eager to jump in for a refreshing shower? NO? Yeah I think its a much better place to safely store my son’s RC plane. He was so excited about this property because the lot has enough room for him to fly. So the RC plane has made its new home here. This room was originally a sink room and pantry right off the kitchen. Because plumbing was so new at the time I believe keeping the sink in a separate room was considered cleaner but Matilda wanted everything convenient to a house wife with everything within reach. So naturally having this room off the kitchen was much more efficient.
She, “felt that men ran everything with the sole purpose of keeping women tied down with work to keep them out of politics. Men designed houses, and also women’s clothing which has so many trimmings, linens, stays, long skirts that sweep the floor, –all taking so long to make and wash and iron. She believed houses were not planned with the convenience of the housewife in mind” -Ruth Tomlinson LaRue (Matilda’s granddaughter)
Up the back stair way to the left is a small room for the help, and to the right is another small room that makes good size laundry bath area. Not sure what it was originally but my current plan is that this will become a full bath and Landry room for the second floor.
Just beyond that would be another full bath. Im sorry I didn’t give you a picture of inside that shower, but im sure you would feel fresh and clean after coming out of it as you stepped over the grime in all the edges and glass sills. This bathroom and the sink room down stairs were original to the house. These are stacked directly atop each other and but below the attic space where the the rain water collection cistern sat feeding, the modern for the time, gravity flow network of pipes. However even though this house was very advanced for its time with a sink and tub, which was quite a novilty , there was no toilet. The builders could not convince Matilda to install one. She stood firm in her belief that it was completley insanity to have a toilet in the house.
Next to the bath is what I assume to be Matilda and Zephaniah’s room. If I do anything to alter layout and walls it will only be to open a door between to this bathroom and room to make it a master bed/bath.This room also boasts the bay window below the tower. The doorway next to the closet is how you access the best part of the house.
Let’s be honest. The house is amazing but its the tower that truly sets it apart. How it looms majestically overlooking the land, yet set back from the road nestled among a wall of trees. And VOILA. (nuff said)
However there is a little secret, below the tower but above the 2nd floor and also accessed by passing through the attic is this little tower. At four feet it would be just the perfect place to sneak up and create the most magical clubhouse as a kid. Which the Underwood children and grandchildren did, according to family letters. Its other intent was documeneted to provide light for the stairway to the tower.
Ok, for those that love whats behind the walls and what makes a home have all the modern comfort we just expect to appear when we flip a switch or open a faucet. I suspect that right there in that 2 ft depression in the attic is where the rain water collection cistern found its resting place. Now think about this. Just running rough numbers (and I truly have no idea what the actual dimension of such a thing would be). But this area is roughly 2″x9″x7″ that would mean if it was only 2 feet hight it held 942 gallons. Just imagine the weight this would have to hold. I don’t have any doubts or concerns about this houses construction. I mentioned earlier I have renovated a few older homes and NONE have been as solid as this one, and all of them were less half her age.
Back down to the second floor. Moving our way back to the front of the house is the top of the front staircase. To the left is a middle room that can be passed through to access rear stars. To the right is a front room with… A WALK IN CLOSET!
Ok quick tour of the exterior of the property. The carriage house is still standing and OOHHH, I have some amazing ideas for it! BUT.. the foundation in the left rear has collapsed so after talking with two different experts, who said two different things. It may or may not have to be taken down and moved off its foundation and rebuilt in order to make it more that just a standing structure with little purpose. The contractor that suggested moving it is a historical barn restorer and explained as they took it down they would label every piece (WHEW)
Additionally found in the right rear of the carriage house is:
pretty sure no explanation is needed.
Unfortunately the Barn collapsed a few years ago but do not fear!! I will use what materials I can salvage from it to use on restoring the carriage house. After I find my hidden pile of cash. I planned for one restoration I didn’t have a clue I was buying a 2 for 1. Im totally up for the challenge and excited to take it on but patience is not a character quality I am good at. God seems to keep giving me all these ways to practice patience.
Just a few views from the rear of the property, looking towards the road.
If you’re ever passing by, stop by Jonahs Run Baptist Church, check out the historical marker. Unlike most that we have passed in our travels that do not provide a great safe place to park along the road. This one is off the parking lot of the church.
Tower House Ohio 