« Back to Homeplace Front

« Back to Homeplace Archives Front

Extraordinary Estate

By Cindy Hodnett
HomePlace Writer

Call it a real-estate love affair of epic proportions.

When the homeowners of 279 Old Rail Road first visited the 1834 two-story house perched on a picturesque hillside near Cana, Va., they found a real-estate jewel with unlimited potential. Accompanied by rolling acreage and scenic views, the house was well-known in local circles, and many area residents hoped that it would be bought by someone with an appreciation for history. Captivated by the property's potential, the visionary buyers saw a new future for the old homeplace, so they bought the estate and began creating their own version of heaven on earth.

"This is one of the best historic houses that I have ever listed," said Leonard Ryden Burr's Michael Ryden. "It is in Mount Airy on 16 acres and on a beautiful creek with views of the Blue Ridge. The original section of the house is the earliest known brick structure in Surry County, and the owners added two recent additions using mostly historic construction materials. The property also has a log cabin that the homeowners built as a guesthouse from old tobacco barns."

The exterior aesthetics of 279 Old Rail Road call to mind the centuries-old family homes of many rural communities. On the outside, the homeowners used Mount Airy granite to complement the existing brick, and they added a long list of modern amenities to the interior including a gourmet kitchen, 1920s-inspired family room and family-friendly layout.

"We wanted the house to look like it had evolved over time," said the homeowner.

While the inside of 279 Old Rail Road can definitely be classified as a luxury home, the outside is further evidence of the homeowners' original grand-scale vision. An organic vineyard adjoins the rear yard, and a four-stall barn and fenced pasture provide housing for sheep, horses or cows. Chickens roam freely across the lawn, and a pair of peacocks periodically offers stunning displays of color.

An organic patch of herbs and vegetables to the rear of the house provides seasonal sustenance just a few steps from the kitchen, and the homeowner says that she wouldn't consider any other type of gardening. Fit and trim from her ongoing work outside, the homeowner admits that she is ambivalent about a move.

"When I first started thinking about leaving this place, it was very hard," she says. "But we are very blessed, so I can't complain about anything. Now I'm hoping to find another place where we can create something like this again."

For anyone who has ever dreamed of living in a vineyard, 279 Old Rail Road represents an amazing opportunity. However, the property is also a rural paradise for historic-home lovers who appreciate both authenticity and modern conveniences, and luxury-home buyers should include it on the must-see list.

This extraordinary estate at 279 Old Rail Road in Mount Airy lists for $1,850,000, has more than 6,100 feet, five bedrooms, four full and one half baths, and almost 16 acres of vineyards, woods and garden areas. To schedule a private showing, call Michael Ryden at Leonard Ryden Burr Real Estate at 336-779-9205.