Lacey Helen Blog's: Former Blacksmith Forge From 1684 Is the Week’s Oldest Listing

Tuesday, 4 May 2021

Former Blacksmith Forge From 1684 Is the Week’s Oldest Listing

The oldest home to land on the market this week dates to 1684, when it was a smoke-filled blacksmith’s workshop, about 10 miles outside Philadelphia.

Over three centuries later, the old stone home has been updated, and an expansion a couple of decades ago doubled its size. Nowadays, the soot is long gone, and it’s a gorgeous home for modern family living.

Other gorgeous old homes that have recently gone up for sale include a $7 million, six-bedroom home built in 1690 in the heart of downtown Nantucket, a lovely remodeled Colonial from 1730 in Connecticut, and a private 13-acre New Hampshire farm established in 1737.

And if you’re in search of a project—we’ve got you. A 2-acre farm in Monroe, CT, with a farmhouse from 1710, is being sold as is. It awaits a buyer to breathe some new life into the place.

So antique lovers, scroll on down. Our top 10 is full of polished wide-board floors, hand-carved staircases, and fireplaces galore.

1. 201-205 E. Thomson Ave, Springfield, PA

Price: $650,000
Year built: 1684
Blacksmith forge: Originally a modest stone two-room house and blacksmith forge, a 2005 expansion has created a lovely four-bedroom, 3,276-square-foot home.

The kitchen features granite countertops, a stainless farmhouse sink, and a six-burner cooktop. Additional highlights throughout the the rest of the home include hardwood floors, antique stonework, fireplaces, and built-ins. Outside, the lot of one-third of an acre includes a stone patio, outdoor seating, and a basketball court.

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2. 105 Main St, Nantucket, MA

Price: $6,950,000
Year built: 1690
Christopher Starbuck House: This huge, six-bedroom home in the heart of Nantucket’s downtown is well-known locally and underwent a meticulous restoration in 2007.

The home’s highlights include a 1,300-bottle wine cellar, wide pine floors, and a backyard with a sunken garden.

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3. 485 Hoppin Hill Ave, North Attleboro, MA

Price: $585,000
Year built: 1690
Renovated farmhouse: Completely overhauled in 1995, this three-bedroom Colonial farmhouse is situated on just under a full acre. Outside, you’ll find a darling front porch, 16 blueberry bushes, an in-ground pool, storage sheds, and patio. The oversized two-car garage comes with a wet bar, air conditioning, and full bathroom.

Inside, the home has two living areas, a formal dining room, a second-floor laundry, and a mudroom.

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4. 338 S. End Rd, Southington, CT

Price: $400,000
Year built: 1698
Colonial craftsmanship: Versatile and updated, this four-bedroom, 2,575-square-foot home has a huge kitchen, a center chimney connecting the dining room and two living spaces, wide-board flooring, and loads of additional antique touches.

The lot covers nearly an acre, including a carriage house with a loft, a patio, and paths connecting the property to the nearby park.

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5. 505 Wheeler Rd, Monroe, CT

Price: $499,999
Year built: 1710
Old charmer: This rustic four-bedroom home is being sold as is, but it does boast a new kitchen and roof. For a buyer in search of a restoration project, this is the place.

You’ll find many of its original charms intact, like beamed ceilings, two fireplaces, and wide-board floors. The 2-acre lot includes two barns, a stone outdoor bar, and a tennis court.

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6. 1446 Clover Mill Rd, Chester Springs, PA

Price: $750,000
Year built: 1715
Turnkey farmhouse: Glorious from every angle, this four-bedroom farmhouse sits on more than 2 acres, surrounded by 100 protected acres of the Binky Lee Preserve, owned by the Natural Lands trust.

It also offers 100 feet of frontage on Pickering Creek, which is stocked each season with trout. The current owner of the vintage 3,000-square-foot home has loved it since purchasing it way back in 1970. A finished lower level opens to a backyard with in-ground pool and Tiki bar.

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7. 130 Main St, Essex, CT

Price: $485,000
Year built: 1730
Center chimney cape: Restored throughout, this three-bedroom home is filled with updates—including a whole-house generator—without sacrificing any of its vintage aesthetic. The flat lot with mature gardens spans over a half-acre and offers spectacular views of the Falls River.

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8. 246 Piscassic Rd, Newfields, NH

Price: $975,000
Year built: 1737
County Home Farm: Elegant updates abound throughout this four-bedroom Colonial surrounded by 13 private acres filled with perennials, old paddocks, and walking trails.

For additional charm, there’s a three-story barn outfitted with water and electric. The 3,791-square-foot main house includes an updated kitchen with an incredible stove, a screened-in porch, and two clawfoot tubs.

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9. 281 N. Guthriesville Rd, Downingtown, PA

Price: $850,000
Year built: 1740
Pond views: This six-bedroom beauty has been featured twice on the Chester County Historic House Tour. The stately Colonial also sits on 4.2 acres originally included in a 300-acre Penn Grant to Thomas Green in 1733.

It has a wine cellar built from the old root cellar, formal living and dining areas with custom built-ins, as well as a detached 1,000-square-foot carriage house. An adjoining pond provides lovely water views.

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10. 502 Shrewsbury St, Holden, MA

Price: $329,900
Year built: 1748
Modern antique: This four-bedroom home has been updated for modern family living and includes an updated kitchen, a loft space accessed by a second staircase, and a one-car garage that’s been converted into an office.