Magnificent John Criswell House c.1881 in Waynesboro, PA. A Revival Ante Bellum masterpiece, this extraordinary home boasts twin parlors, two staircases, five spacious bedrooms, three full baths, elegant dining room w/gas fireplace, high ceilings, modern kitchen w/custom cabinets & gas fireplace a, two car garage, bold columns, three porches, large half acre landscaped lot, and historic detailing. One of the most extraordinary & significant historic houses in Waynesboro.

 

History of the John Criswell House -
The magnificent building at 255 West Main Street, the former Doctor John C. Criswell residence, stands on a piece of ground once called Libertyhall. It consisted of two Commonwealth of Pennsylvania grants: one to Nathaniel Wilson on August 21, 1810, and another to Michael Whitmore and Jacob Roemer on November 4, 1812. Criswell’s lot and the next lot east (245 West Main Street) once were adorned by an old-time iron fence, the black paint shining the full frontage on Main and North Franklin Streets. Gates provided access to the walks that served each home. Numerous large Norway maples shaded the houses from the late afternoon sun. They are probably the reason the tract was known as “The Maples.”
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A significant historic Pennsylvania stone mill c.1765. This incredible property has a working water wheel that could possibly supplement the homes energy needs. It is configured for a potential B&B or Inn, family compound, personal residence, or duplex rental opportunity - with 2 kitchens, 4 full baths & 2 half-baths, 5 spacious bedrooms, 3 fireplaces, large windows with gorgeous views, 2 second floor balconies, wrap around deck and patios. A fenced courtyard provides for private gardening and entertaining, and a 5 car garage with heat/ac & running water can double as a workshop/studio. Rural setting, with the sounds of nature and Red Clay Creek, yet closed to schools, shopping & transportation.

History of Marshall Mill by Mary Larkin Dugan. December 2006
This converted mill, charmingly sited nears a brook and flume, dates back to at least 1765.
Although its origin is nearly lost in the mists of the past, it is on property Owen and Mary Harlan
Evans bought from Letitia Penn Aubrey. Part of the 15,500 acres from her father the Proprietor.
According to Kennett Township historian James Guthrie, Evans probably sold it to Joseph and Charity Harlan Hackney. The deed wasn’t recorded, not an uncommon thing in those early years.
The Hackneys’ name appears on the tract in the Gilbert Cope map of Former Landholders around Old Kennett Meeting. (See Maps.) In 1731 Joseph Hackney had married Charity Harlan at Old Swedes Church in Wilmington. Which is odd because Charity’s family. The Harlan’s were Quakers. Marrying in a church was grounds for dismissal from the Quakers. Anyway. In 1740 the Hackneys were listed in the Kennett Township records. Three children were born to them and a fourth after Joseph died in 1744. (See the Orphans Court listing of 1746.)
Hackney’s widow Charity married Francis Baldwin in November 1746 and the family moved to Berkeley County, Virginia, now a part of West Virginia. Berkeley County records mention that they came from Kennett Monthly Meeting (Quaker), so Charity had returned to the fold.
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This is an interesting international historic home artlicle. The world is a much smaller place because of the ease of travel and the internet. I have sold American historic homes to persons residing in France & England, and I know people who invest in real estate in foreign countries. There was an article recently (I can not remember where I read it) on Americans investing in second homes in Uruguay where the opportunities are currently greater than in the downward adjusting US market. At any rate, this article discusses the renovation and restoration of historic homes around the world. We should feel very fortunate in the USA to have a huge inventory of historic homes just waiting for their renewal, while overseas there is a shortage.

Turning historic homes into hot property

 

Thursday, March 29, 2007, 1:13:09 PMInternational Herald Tribune

Around the world, from Panama to Shanghai, high-end buyers are paying top dollar for historic houses, spurring owners to spend both time and money on sensitive renovations that include modern improvements. But finding properties worthy of such effort can be a challenge

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Black Walnut Thicket. Built in 1850, this beautifully restored Ante Bellum plantation house enjoys a private ten-acre setting graced with mature boxwoods and a vintage tobacco barn. Listed on the county registry of historic places, the home presents a unique blend of modern amenities and historic detailing. A three-story staircase, a grand entry, a two-story porch, and original wood flooring recall another era, while the four spacious bedrooms, Jennaire fixtures, three custom baths, and updated infastructure introduce modern liveability. A home of historic significance, this estate is well-suited for the equestrian or for one seeking a vintage residence with modern comforts. PG County Historic Registery #86B-010. Mins. to DC.

History - 

Black Walnut Thicket is nearly as old as the European experience in the New W orld. Prior to European settlement, these rolling hills, woods and “freshets” of the Patuxent would have been settled by the Piscataway Native Americans.
The dates of the present structures are unknown. Black Walnut Thicket is the amalgamation of two residences. The large front structure is a neo-classical mid 19th century home, with a side entry and double parlor. A hyphen connects this to the older, smaller structure, which is a late 18th/early 19th century Tidewater farm house. A hand-forged nail of a type manufactured around 1815 shows that
construction or repair may have occurred at this time. No formal age analysis has been done, to the knowledge of the present owners.  (more…)

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161 S. Washington St. Greencastle, PA 17225

An extraordinary victorian with large wrap around porch and main level inlaw suite. Grand entry foyer and large spacious rooms, high ceilings, historic detailing and hardware, gorgeous fireplace mantels, wood floors throughout, 4 roomy bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, carriage house with electricity for studio. Stunning historic home in quaint Greencastle PA!

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