Got Vision? This Restoration Project is Waiting! Circa 1925 House at Library Park, Spencer NC FOR SALE

In 1925 (a mere 100 years ago), this two-story home at 306 Carolina Avenue was likely the crowning glory of the block. Today, the house needs a buyer with a restoration ethic, the vision, and fortitude to return it to its former glory.

Greg Rapp with Salisbury Real Estate LLC has listed this historic Victorian Vernacular house in Spencer, North Carolina for sale. You've seen us talk 'old-houses' before. . . but this one is in the BEST location ~ overlooking the scenic park in the heart of the Town of Spencer's Historic District.

This house's history is vague, but some things we know. The National Register of Historic Places states that the home shows on the Sanborn maps in 1913 (the town of Spencer was founded in 1897). AND . . . because Greg is an old-house enthusiast ~ and owns a very similar circa 1882 Victorian house in Salisbury ~ he can recognize architectural details that narrow the time frame on this fantastic home.

Although Rowan County records show the home built in 1925, this 2,760 square-foot house is likely a circa 1890s home, retaining many details that are replicated in Greg's 1882 house, including arched windowed doors. Likely originally a 2-room-over-2-room home, the house ~ as many of this era experience ~ has seen expansions and modifications through the decades.

There is no sugar-coating it ~ this home is a major renovation and restoration project waiting to happen. This historic house is just a shell today...BUT...this house is built with the quality of materials and workmanship of a bygone era, and stands testimony to the reason we save these historic homes! The current owners started the restoration, so most of the hard structural and framing work is completed. A Victorian Vernacular in style, the house has wonderful space and a great floor plan. It is framed as a 4-bedroom /3.5 bath home with an owner's suite on the main floor.

The house features a large entry foyer where you'll find the staircase with its beautiful original newel post. To the right is the front parlor. As you travel through the house, the dining room is next with a primary 1st floor bedroom to its right. In the rear, clearly an addition, is the kitchen.

Many original features remain, such as the curved staircase landing, fabulous newel posts, original front doors, mantels, and wainscoting. There is a large foyer with a fireplace. The dining room has a large bay window with a high, diamond-pattern window. 

The home likely originally had a wrap-around front porch that spanned the front of the house and wrapped to a door at the dining room. This feature is all but missing today. 

The home's description in the National Register describes the house, saying, "Replacement two-story portico supported by square wood columns; balcony over entry with square balustrade." Indeed, the upper story's 'crow's nest' porch is a special feature, and one that is found on Greg's ca. 1882 house!

The home needs extensive restoration before it is in livable condition, including electricity, plumbing, HVAC, flooring, kitchen, and bathrooms. 

The interior needs extensive rehabilitation and restoration.  All surfaces need to be restored: some original flooring is in place, while other flooring requires replacement. Obviously (see photos), walls will need to be replaced, although most of the framing is intact. (The original walls were once plaster, supported by the lathe you now see.)

The Town of Spencer has seen tremendous revitalization over the last 10 years, and that restoration ethic is in full swing! This property is in the Spencer Historic District, so exterior oversight by the Spencer Historic Preservation Commission applies.  

306 S. Carolina Avenue is located in perhaps THE most desirable location in town, overlooking the highly desirable Library Park.  It is just a few blocks from the coming (under construction) Spencer Downtown Park. The sounds of steam engine whistles often fill the air with nostalgia, with the North Carolina Transportation Museum nearby.

Are you ready to roll up your sleeves to find the glory in this vintage house? Call Greg Rapp, Salisbury Real Estate LLC, at 704.213.6846 to make it happen!

306 S. Carolina Avenue
Spencer, NC 28159
MLS#4251894
$135,000

Greg Rapp 
Salisbury Real Estate LLC 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
GregRappRealtor@gmail.com 
www.realestatesalisbury.net 

Rare Historic House - History & Stories - Restoration Opportunity

If you love history, and the stories that come with it....this historic home in Linwood, North Carolina has one of the more wonderful tales to tell!  

Realtor® Greg Rapp with Salisbury Real Estate LLC, working in partnership with Preservation North Carolina, is so excited to present this fascinating opportunity to rehabilitate and restore an important part of Davidson County's early history. 'Beallmont' ~ or The Moore-Beall House (per the National Register of Historic Places) is a remarkable circa 1840s (and older!) 2-story Federal-to-Greek Revival style home that originally sat at the crest of a gentle open rise of land near the Yadkin River in south Davidson County. 

But there is more to the story: The home is colloquially referred to as an 1840s home, however, 1840 is the remodel date: The original small two-story frame house was built in the late eighteenth century. In 1840, the then-owner transformed the house by combining the log home and the original wood frame home into the fashionable picturesque villa, the remnants of which we see today.

The home was moved to its current location on the 2.5+ acre property across the road in 2016. While set on a new foundation and stabilized, the chimneys were lost in the move, and the home needs a massive amount of work. 

 

The main structure is a two-story hall-and-parlor house of Federal design, reminiscent of early American plan book cottages. The details of the 1840s 'remodel' transformed the house into an approximation of Andrew Jackson Downing's "cottage" style. 

The original two-story frame house was built by the original 1763 land-grant holder (from King Charles II) in the late eighteenth century or early nineteenth century. A two-story log addition was built on in the early 1800s (you can see the log walls through a doorway where the wall sheathing has deteriorated). Burgess Lamar Beall, a prominent physician and politician, transformed the house into a fashionable picturesque villa in the late 1840s.  

What we see today is the 1840s rebuild and a rare example of the early nineteenth-century Davidson County domestic architectural configuration and detailing, yet overlaid with stylish details reflecting the picturesque movement. 

The main entrance, in the east bay of the facade, and the two floor-length nine-over-nine sash windows are sheltered by the full facade porch. The porch's hip roof has an arched ceiling resembling a parasol. The flush wall sheathing sets off the ornate symmetrically molded surrounds with corner blocks. The double raised-panel front doors are flanked by elaborate sidelights with elegantly contrasting wide and narrow panes of glass. The 1840s 'remodel' included wide latticework posts with delicate sawn-work brackets, none of which remain. 

Beallmont boasts floor-length nine-over-nine sash windows and a large bay window off the east side wall. The floor-length paired windows on each side are protected by functional louvered shutters.  All other openings, except for the twentieth-century alterations, have simple Federal surrounds, six-over-six sash, and flat-paneled doors of the Federal style.  The side wing was added during the picturesque villa remodeling and featured latticework in its day. The one-bay wide porch was added in the twentieth century.

The first floor contained a hall, a parlor, a dining room, a "private passage below," a "lower bedroom," and a "back Piazza." In addition, the second floor contained an upper passage, a "large upper room," a "small bedroom," and "Aunt Mary's Room." The l840s remodeling was concentrated in the hall, parlor, dining room, stair and stair passages, and the large upper room. Here are found symmetrically molded surrounds with ornate corner blocks similar to those of the porch facade, high molded baseboards, and bold mantels of Greek Revival designs. 

The open-string stair has strongly curved stair brackets, a lovely flat-paneled wall enclosing the closet beneath the stair, and a gracefully ramped handrail with slender balusters (from the National Register of Historic Places / The Moore-Beall House). What we love about the upper story: The staircase splits off in one direction to the front rooms, and splits again to the rear large room that could accommodate a wonderful primary suite with space for an upper full bath. (There are currently no bathrooms in the home.)

The present small central portico is a twentieth-century replacement. The two-story rear wing of log construction and the one-story frame rear wing have similar but not identical Federal window and door treatment. Both wings were, according to family tradition, originally Federal period free-standing buildings which were later incorporated into the main structure. The entire structure is covered with plain weatherboard. The three tall brick chimneys that had been of mid-nineteenth century vintage were demolished in the house move: two were located on the interior and one on the exterior. 

The only other significant alterations on the exterior were the enclosure of the rear wrap-around porch in the mid-twentieth century. The original kitchen was a separate stand-alone 2-story brick building located behind the house at the home's original location and demolished in 1913. The current galley kitchen is located in the porch enclosure portion.

The stand-alone building behind the house, on its own foundation, might have been the early physician's quarters and shop.  It was originally attached to the house via an L-shaped porch that served as connection between the two structures. Preservation NC desires this structure to be reconnected to the house.

1567 Belmont Road is located on 2.58 acres and overlooks a large pond with deeded access. The property is partially clear and partially wooded. There is a small spring on the property where one of the original structures may have been located. 

The surrounding land, 123 acres adjacent to and behind the house, is subject to a conservation easement held by the Three Rivers Land Trust, ensuring that the surrounding property will always be used for agriculture or forestry.

'Beallmont' at 1567 Belmont Road is a RESTORATION project at its very heart, calling for a historic preservation enthusiast! While many of the original features are intact including much of its original millwork & windows, the house requires comprehensive rehabilitation including additional structural repairs, a connection to the rear section of the house, installation of all systems, new bathrooms and kitchen, and reconstruction of three brick chimney stacks that will host the six individual fireplaces throughout the home.

 

The property needs a driveway, a septic system, full plumbing and electricity, and all mechanicals. Historic Covenants & Deed restrictions are in place and will guide and protect the restoration process. Proof of funds for partial rehab (250K) is required by Preservation NC. 

The visible architectural evolution of the structure and continuous voluminous historical records make Beallmont one of the best-documented early houses in Davidson County. We know restoration projects of this nature are not for everyone.  But the true preservationist will relish this opportunity to renew the Moore-Beall House and return it to the landmark treasure it deserves to be!  So ~ you know who you are ~ let's roll up your sleeves and get to work!

Greg Rapp and Salisbury Real Estate LLC are pleased to partner with Preservation NC Inc. to bring this fabulous restoration opportunity to the market!  Call Greg at 704.213.6846 to see this amazing piece of history!

 
1567 Belmont Road
Linwood, North Carolina 27299
Davidson County
2,422 square feet
Lot Size: 2.584 acres

Zoning: Residential
MLS#4185269

$69,000

Built to Withstand the Ages. The Circa 1885-1890 Thomas House ~ a Restoration Waiting to Happen

Editor's Note 11/12/2023:  NEW PRICE!  $127,500!!  

Built like a rock.  Built to withstand the ages. The John Thomas House ~ a restoration waiting to happen.

Greg Rapp with Salisbury Real Estate LLC has listed the historic Thomas House in Salisbury, North Carolina for sale. The history on the Thomas House is vague, but some things we know.  Because Greg is an old-house enthusiast ~ and owns a very similar circa 1882 Victorian house in Salisbury himself ~ he is able to recognize architectural details that narrow the time frame on this fantastic home.  

Although city/county records list the home as '1900', this 2,827 square-foot Victorian Vernacular circa 1882-1890 home retains many details that are replicated in the Greg's 1882 home.  Likely a 2-room-over-2-room home originally, the house ~ as many of this era experience ~ has seen expansion and modifications.  But the staircase newel posts and handrail are identical to Greg's 1882 home. 

We won't lie to you ~ this home is a major renovation and restoration project waiting to happen.  Originally protected by Historic Salisbury Protective Covenants, somehow this house fell through the cracks. A major roof leak went sadly undetected for too long, deeply affecting many interior elements.  BUT...this house is built with the quality of materials and workmanship of a bygone era. . . and stands testimony to the reason we save these historic homes!

510 East Lafayette Street was one of the grander homes in an area that sprung up as a railroad spur neighborhood, with several textile mills in the surrounding vicinity and the mill village homes that came with that development. The exterior features some of the original elaborate detail common to late 1800s residential architecture with massive corbels, gable gingerbread trim, and decorative over-window pediment details. The home's rear view overlooks the historic Diamond Cotton Mill complex that was also once a distillery!  Historic Salisbury Foundation, owner of the home, has recently stabilized the structure with new roof and partial roof framing, repaired water/termite damage in the impressive 40' long center hallway, and freshly repainted the exterior (summer 2023).  The wonderful 36' wide by 7' deep front porch is newly rebuilt. The home was a featured property on the Foundation's annual 'History on Tap' tour this summer to show what opportunities are available to the restoration-minded!

The home needs extensive restoration before it is in livable condition: flooring, plumbing, HVAC, kitchen and bathrooms. There is newer electrical service (date unknown).  The interior needs extensive restoration.  All surfaces will need to be restored: some original flooring is in place, while other floor replacement is needed.  Obviously (see photos), walls will need to be replaced, although most framing is intact. (Original walls were once plaster, supported by the lathe you now see.)  The lower portion of the staircase needs refurbishing.

The home's layout is in the typical Victorian Vernacular style. The two front parlors are extra large, with their original 1880s fireplace mantels, as are the two front-facing upstairs bedrooms.  The home is designed to have a primary suite (bedroom and private bath) on the main level.  Many moldings and other decorative woodwork pieces that may appear to be missing, including the pieces to fill in the oval mirror surrounds on the right front parlor mantel, are stored in the front room. There are six fireplaces (nonfunctioning) in the home; three have their original mantels and surrounds, the remaining mantels appear to be missing. Huge 2-over-2 windows throughout, some with original wavy glass, fill the home with natural daylight.

The Lafayette Street area was once a booming part of Salisbury's growth in the late 19th century and was a thriving residential and commercial neighborhood with cotton mills and businesses that were built before the age of the automobile. The Thomas House, one of the more elaborate homes in the district, was likely built by one of the more wealthy industry magnates of the era.  

501 East Lafayette Street is near both the Kesler-Cannon and North Long Street/Park Avenue Historic Districts, neighborhoods rich with historic and vintage homes.  Cannon Park is a cherished local green space, and Salisbury's bustling downtown with over 25 eateries, breweries, unique shops, and theatres is just a stone's throw away.  The home's proximity to Interstate-85 brings more main-stream shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities with chains such as Old Navy, Marshalls, Lowes and more, restaurants such as Applebee's, Olive Garden, Long Horn, and the Tinseltown Cinemax movie theater complex ~ all nearby. In addition to two local coffee shops, Salisbury hosts two Starbucks locations. Salisbury sits squarely between the large metro areas of Charlotte, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and is close to High Rock Lake boating and fishing, a 2-hour drive to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and a 4-hour drive to Atlantic Ocean beaches. Salisbury's higher education opportunities include Catawba College, Livingstone College, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Hood Theological Seminary, and, down the road, Pfeiffer University.

Salisbury is home to a strong preservation movement that dates back to the 1970s when many important historic structures were facing the threat of the wrecking ball.  And now...there are stories to tell about so many, hundreds, of the grand homes and commercial structures ~ and The Thomas House can be next to tell its restoration story! 

501 Lafayette Street is a Revolving Fund Project of the Historic Salisbury Foundation property, and as such, carries protective Historic Covenants and Deed Restrictions. Grep Rapp, with Salisbury Real Estate LLC, is the area's expert with regard to historic properties such as this vintage Lafayette Street home and can walk buyer's through the intricacies of purchase, inspections, and more. [Worth noting: Greg's personal home also carries Covenants and Restrictions (C&Rs) and he can explain how this impacts restoration and future maintenance.]

The 'bones' are in place at 501 East Lafayette Street. At 141 years standing, this home isn't going anywhere.  All that is needed is YOU.  Call Greg: 704.213.6846.  Let's do this. 

501 E Lafayette Street
Salisbury, North Carolina 28144
$135,000  $127,500
MLS#4071864

Greg Rapp 
Salisbury Real Estate LLC 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
GregRappRealtor@gmail.com 
www.realestatesalisbury.net