Steeped in history and filled with charm, this 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home on five acres is sure to be the perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. The heart of the home is a log cabin that once served as the postmaster’s home (and office) serving all of Weakley Hollow in the late 1800s. The home has been lovingly added to and updated while still retaining its charm. The property boundary line includes the Robinson River and shares a border with the Shenandoah National Park. The White Oak Canyon trail head (SNP) is only 2 miles away offering an array of fabulous outdoor activities close to home. The house is so comfortable inside and the outside has so much to offer you may never leave.
The harmony of historic charm and modern style is immediately apparent as you enter the home. In the foyer, thick hand-hewn log beams and a large field stone chimney are juxtaposed against the clean lines of the slate floor. From the foyer, the house opens into the expansive dining room. The dining room features a cathedral ceiling with several skylights to let in plenty of light. The marriage of old and new carries through the room as the exposed log beams of the log cabin form one wall of the dining room. A soapstone wood stove sits at the end of the dining room standing ready to provide warmth on a cold day.
The dining room opens into a great kitchen with a tall bar separating the kitchen area from the dining room. The mosaic tiling on the bar is worth a second look as it sparkles in the natural light. The kitchen is simultaneously quite large and a comfortable work space for any chef. The kitchen features a long island that would make an excellent buffet for larger gatherings or makes a great base camp as everyone prepares for their days activities. A wide bank of windows look at the huge deck and lets in plenty of light. From the kitchen, the house opens into a comfortable sitting room that looks out to the back yard. The kitchen also opens to a large deck behind the home that is sure to be the heart of any outdoor gathering.
On the other side of the dining room is the original log cabin which serves as the family room. Gnarly wood beams have been strategically placed in several areas to add visual interest to the room. The field stone fireplace is quite impressive and, with a wood stove insert, provides great heat for the room. A spiral staircase has been added to make access to the old loft quite easy. Complete with its own fireplace, the loft makes an excellent guest bedroom or would make a great office.
The owners have reserved the back wing of the home as their private quarters. The owners wing is separated from the main living space by a long hallway and opens to a large bedroom (14′ x 11′). With a tall ceiling and plenty of windows, the master bedroom, with en suite master bath, is a bright and joyful room. It also has its own access entrance to the back deck.
The home features two additional main floor bedrooms. Tucked behind the sitting room, a second large bedroom looks out to the backyard. You can access the third bedroom through the library. A window well in this room has been enlarged to create a reading nook that is large enough for a single bed and is a great spot to relax and enjoy a good book. This bedroom is a child’s delight with a pair of bunk beds along one wall of the room. Above the bunk beds is a secret passage that leads to a loft. For those who are less inclined to crawl through the passage, a set of stairs in the library also leads to the loft.
The five acre lot is a mixture of woods and open land. With plenty of open land, this two stall barn could easily be retrofitted to accommodate several horses, mules or goats and chickens. The property is perfect for anyone who wants to ride in the National Park. Of course, the highlight of the property is the Robinson River which forms the western border of the property. The Robinson is a great trout stream and is popular with all of the local anglers. To add variety to the days catch, the Rose River and the Hughes River, both excellent trout streams in their own rights, are within a couple of miles of the home.
For those who enjoy spending their day hiking, the White Oak Canyon trail head, with a series of magnificent waterfalls and a terrific swimming hole at the top, is only 2 miles away. A little further up Weakley Hollow Road, is a parking area for a fire road. Unbeknownst to most, this fire road leads directly to the Saddle Trail and then to the summit of Old Rag Mountain. From the parking area, you can be at the top of Old Rag in 2.5 miles. The main trail head to Old Rag, Nicholson Hollow, Camp Hoover and hundreds of other trails are just a few miles down the road in the Shenandoah National Park. You can walk out your back door and explore the SNP at your leisure as the property shares a long border with the park.
The property is near the village of Etlan where there is a general store and a great antique shop. The town of Madison for groceries and a couple of restaurants is about 12 miles south. Sperryville, a fun village with interesting shops, several restaurants, two breweries and a distillery, is about 15 miles north. The region features farms, orchards, wineries, galleries, antiques and numerous outdoor activities from fishing and biking to exploring in the Shenandoah National Park. The property is about 2 hours from downtown Washington, DC.
The property is currently available as a rental on Airbnb.com and has a strong income stream from repeat guests. With two lofts that have been converted to additional bedrooms, the home can easily sleep 10 – 12 guests. Financial information is available with serious interest.
