With frontage on the Thornton River, a historical mill and a large home, Estes Mill House is a rare opportunity to own a piece of Rappahannock History. In the early 1800s, Rappahannock County was dotted with grist mills and saw mills to support the burgeoning population of 9,250 citizens. Located off what is now route 211 on the way to the Thornton Gap through the Blue Ridge Mountains, one of the most popular mills was Estes Mill. The mill was built in approximately 1836 and was owned by James Woodward. In 1900, the Estes family purchased the mill where it took on its namesake. The gear wheels and many of the other accouterments have been donated to the Smithsonian, but the old mill building still stands as a proud reminder to the county’s past. In 1949, the Estes family built a family home near the mill.
Located off Woodward Road, the 5.6 acre property offers a nice blend of history, seclusion and easy access. The front of the property runs along the Thornton River. Stone walls terrace the land separating the mill and the lower land from the home. A small spring fed mill pond is partially overgrown, but could easily be reclaimed.
Surrounded by mature plantings, the home has been updated and added to over the years. A large addition was added to the western part of the home. This renovation included adding geothermal heat to the entire home, an open great room and several additional bedrooms.
The home is built for friends and family. Family get-together just flow seamlessly from the large deck (with western views) into the great room. The great room opens into the large kitchen with concrete counter tops and a six-burner gas stove. A wood stove can easily be placed in the great room to add warmth to the home, and would make this a cozy location to read the Sunday paper or access the high-speed Comcast internet available at the property. A spiral staircase in the great room leads to the new upstairs bedrooms/living area.
From the great room, the home opens to the living room area. When the current owners updated the home, they converted the original living room into their master bedroom for first-floor living. Behind the master bedroom is an office area as well as a master bathroom, a master closet and a guest bathroom. Another upstairs bedroom (with a half bath) can be accessed from the older section of the home. The original section also has a full basement with a great bar area.
The spiral staircase in the great room leads upstairs to another set of bedrooms. The two bedrooms share a full bath and have their own private living room. A deck off the upstairs living room has great views and is a perfect place to relax.
The property stretches up the hillside behind the home. With a nice gentle roll and several mature trees, the land is perfect for enjoying the outdoors. Despite its proximity to Route 211, the back yard feels completely private. In the middle of the yard stands an old tree with an old tree house that was sure to have provided endless hours of entertainment. A workshop/art studio sits close to the main house, but far enough away to provide privacy. In the upper corner of the lot sits a perfectly located garden plot that is would provide a bountiful summer harvest.
The property is located within walking distance of Sperryville with its eclectic assortment of galleries shops, restaurants and breweries. The spectacular Hazel River Trail is just up the road and Old Rag Mountain, one of the must-do trails for avid hikers, is ten minutes down the road. The nearby Shenandoah National Park is also home to scenic Skyline Drive with its overlooks as well as many miles of trails.
Rappahannock and surrounding counties offer endless recreational possibilities. There are wineries and breweries, great restaurants and cafes, antique stores, farms and orchards, and much more. Looking for cultural activities? Visit one of the many art galleries, attend a play or a concert at one of the theaters, or visit the Rappahannock Historical Society’s museum.
Located about two hours from Washington, DC, and about an hour from Charlottesville, Estes Mill is an easy drive for a weekend getaway.
