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Country Charm

The first thing that captivates visitors to 7498 Doral Drive is the lovely 1.5-acre lot. Anchored by the kinds of trees that kids race to climb and a stone "playhouse," the yard of this historic Tobaccoville property also features extensive, lush landscaping that is a serene backdrop for the two-story farmhouse.

Also known as the Spainhour-Newsome house, the main residence of 7498 Doral Drive was built in the early 1900s and soon thereafter became home to John Spainhour and his new wife, Blanche Newsome. The property stayed in the Spainhour family for many decades, but eventually was sold at auction, setting in motion the chain of events that would lead to another family's love affair with the home.

"My husband, an electrician, was called in to do some work on the house, and he told the new owner he would like to buy it if he ever decided to sell," said the current homeowner during a recent visit to the property. "A year later, he called, and we bought it. That was in the early 1970s, and we worked on it night and day for six months before we moved in."

Today, the Spainhour-Newsome home is on the market for the first time in nearly 40 years, and residents will find that much of the original charm remains. A rocking-chair front porch welcomes visitors, and a comfortable side patio leads to the enclosed back porch where guests enter the spacious kitchen.

Three bedrooms and two full baths have served many family members over the past century, and future owners of the Spainhour-Newsome home can easily adapt the rooms to accommodate a variety of households. A large family room on the main level allows residents to gather for game nights and leisurely weekend entertaining, and the eat-in kitchen is certain to be the site of many memorable meals.

"This is the perfect home for treasured antiques," said Century 21 Nichols Realty's Sandy Smith. "From the front parlor that opens to a gorgeous staircase to the efficiently designed kitchen with ample storage, this home is old and quaint, but up-to-date."

The Spainhour-Newsome home lists for $180,000 and has three bedrooms and two full baths. To see the home today from 2 to 4 p.m., take Highway 52 North to the King exit; turn left at the top of the ramp and continue straight (the road becomes Doral Drive) to 7498 Doral Drive on the right. For more information, call Sandy Smith at Century 21 Nichols Realty at 336-972-6097.