Browsing Around - October, 1983

By Susan M. Thigpen © 1983-2012

Issue: October, 1983

Originally built in the mid 1940's, it was the home of Daisy and Calvin Pendleton.“BROWSING AROUND” is a regular feature of “The Mountain Laurel.” In this section we feature various pieces of real estate that are for sale each month in Carroll, Floyd and Patrick Counties and give some of the details and reasons why we find them particularly attractive. We do this out of editorial courtesy and neither the Mountain Laurel or its staff have any interest in these properties and would decline any interest or compensation if offered. If you have or know of property for sale, whether you are individual or real estate company, that you think is unique or interesting, please let us know.

The gravel driveway turns off the paved road and goes behind an old, two story white house and mill. The driveway is nearly half a mile long. On the right of it is a stream and pasture land; on the left are beautiful woods. It winds around and suddenly opens up to the most peaceful valley. At the end of the driveway is the house. Originally built in the 1940’s, it was the home of Daisy and Calvin Pendleton. She wrote for the Stuart Enterprise Newspaper and was quite a Patrick County historian and poet.

Not on, but just above this piece of property, is the old Wildwood Nature Trail. This was the Allen DeHart project. He was a college professor in North Carolina and marked the trail with the names of the different trees and wildflowers. Standing behind the house you can see the property where the trail is supposed to be. It is a beautiful view of hills and ridges layering themselves, one above the other until the tallest are tall mountains. The Wildwood Nature Trail is a walking trail with a large waterfall, bear caves, and a place called “Fat Man’s Squeeze,” a place where a gigantic rock is split, making the trail very narrow at that point.

To one side of the house is a blooming magnolia tree and a mimosa tree. Other plants and ground covers planted near the house make it a delightful place to see.As I said before, that trail is on the adjoining property. This piece of property we are featuring has 41 acres (by a 1977 survey), with 17 or 18 of those acres being in cleared pasture. On the property are several good spring branches and the property fronts on the Smith River for approximately 350 to 400 feet.

The house is centrally located on the property and is made of brick. Wide cement steps lead to the front porch and ivy climbs the foundation and chimney.

There is the largest redbud tree I’ve ever seen in the back of the house, and across the wide, side lawn is a creek and a huge weeping willow tree at its edge. There are two big old pear trees behind the garden space, two sweet cherry trees, two sour cherry trees, a few young (5 years old) apple and peach trees and a young grape vine on the property. To one side of the house is a blooming magnolia tree and a mimosa tree. Other plants and ground covers planted near the house make it a delightful place to see.

There is a narrow cemented walkway around the back of the house. This is where we’ll start our tour of the house.

The back door leads into a utility room with washer and dryer hookups. To the right of this is a small “spring room.” There is a cement trough running through the length of this room, with water still running through it constantly and many shelves to place home canned goods in winter. The water supply for the house is by a gravity fed mountain spring. (Even if the electricity goes off, you’ll know your going to have water!)

To the left of the utility room is the door into the kitchen. It is completely up to date with plentiful storage space. Around the corner from the kitchen is the formal dining room, complete with chandelier. (All of the house except for the kitchen and bath are fully carpeted.) Beyond the formal dining room through glass paneled french doors, is the living room. There is a fireplace in the living room that has been sealed off with a metal plate but could be reopened if you wish to use it. There are built in shelves also in the living room.

Going back through the dining room, there is a hall that leads to the bath and two back bedrooms. The bedroom on the front of the house would make an excellent den. It has an outside door and the stairs go up to the second floor here.

At the top of the stairs is a sitting room with a large storage closet. There are three rooms upstairs with large storage/closet areas. One bedroom upstairs has an offset dormer space that looked like an inviting place to put a chair and curl up with a good book or hobby.

In all, there are 1650 square feet of living space in this house. The heat is either by forced air oil furnace or woodstove hookup.

On the property there is a big old barn in the pasture in front of the house. There are two storage sheds and one car shed near the house.

The annual taxes run $225.00 per year. It is located in Patrick County and would be ideal for either vacation or year round living. The asking price is $78,500. If you are interested in seeing it call Bob Gore at (703) 694-6308.