Park-like setting surrounds Federalist-style farmhouse
Contributing writer
Serenity seems to weave itself through the nearly 4-acre historical property at 6575 S. County Road 25A in Tipp City.
Dating to the mid-19th century when the Federalist-style brick home was built, the home is known for connections to Tipp City founders. Different legends, perhaps embellished over time, have been passed along about the foundry crafted dog statue that stands in the front yard.
During the past five years current owners have completed major restorations of the home, the bank barn, the two-story pool/party house and the picturesque wooded setting with its creek, stocked pond and covered bridge – all in keeping with original styling.
“Owners have really maintained the property nicely,” said Jackie Halderman of Sibcy Cline Realtors.
“The original silo was pressure-washed and painted. The barn was restored for historical purposes – it is in excellent shape.”
Two and a half years were needed to complete the barn restoration, including work on the foundation, the upper floors, replacement of the roof and rebuilding its two cupolas while creating walking platforms around them.
The home sparkles with restored wood floors, cabinets, wainscoting, 11-inch baseboards, 8-inch window and door casings, and a completely updated kitchen. Updates totaling about $250,000 are documented in a long list.
According to records, the home offers about 2,800 square feet of living space. Improvements in the walkout basement, such as removal of obsolete wiring, new electric panels, painted walls and floors add other usable space. Halderman has listed the property for $619,900.
Clusters of pines and other mature trees shield the home, which sits at a distance from the road. The paved driveway, which was blacktopped last year, curves to parking space between the house, which has an attached, two-car garage, and the pool house, which offers a second two-car, tandem garage.
Flowing together in circular fashion the main gathering areas of the home include the living and dining rooms, the renovated kitchen and a family room with access to the garage.
White mantel and brick facing frame the fireplace in the living room, which benefits from recessed built-in bookshelves and a white-spindled staircase to the upper level.
Wainscoting surrounds the dining room, complementing its restored wood plank flooring and two floor-to-ceiling stacked cupboards recessed into one wall.
Original hand-hewn beams remain in the kitchen ceiling, where wraparound cabinets and granite counters incorporate soft-close storage drawers, lazy Susan, smooth-surface range, microwave oven and a large sink. Stone-look ceramic tile covers the floor and ceramic subway tile covers the backsplash areas.
The hallway off the kitchen accesses the main-floor laundry area hidden behind folding doors and the updated full bath with a granite-topped vanity, porcelain vessel sink, tub and shower.
Wide-plank flooring and large boxed windows with restored original millwork embellish the main-floor bedroom, which has two closets.
Sconces light the way up the staircase to a versatile second floor, which could be a studio suite thanks to a second kitchen and a private entrance from the outdoor staircase between the covered patio and the deck.
Alternatively, the three upper-level rooms could be bedrooms. One room might serve as a TV/recreation room, and the kitchen could become a crafts room or a convenient place to prepare snacks.
The updated three-room walkout basement features an enclosed porch, which might be a potting room. The utility room holds the boiler furnace system, replaced water heater and a second laundry area. There is a half bath with a shower stall and a vanity counter.
Additional versatile space is available in the two-story pool house, where bath installations are ready for hookup.
“It has been used as a party house,” said Halderman.
A sun room in the pool house connects to the kidney-shaped in-ground pool, which is surrounded by concrete walkarounds with two built-in round tables and benches.
Halderman added, “The history of this home is unique – it’s a rare opportunity to own these beautiful grounds with a pond, creek and swimming pool.”
TIPP CITY
Price: $619,900
Directions: Interstate 75 to Tipp City exit, west on State Route 571, then south on County Road 25A
Highlights: About 2,800 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, restored brick Federalist style, built 1856, $250,000 in recent updates, renovated kitchen, granite counters, wood-burning fireplace, second kitchen on upper level, unfinished walkout basement, 3.96-acre lot, wooded setting, stocked pond, creek, deck, patio, attached 2-car garage, second garage in 2-story pool house, in-ground pool, restored bank barn
For more information:
Sibcy Cline Realtors
Jackie Halderman
(937) 239-0315
www.sibcycline.com/JHalderman
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