~ TCF, seen from hilltop across Rt. 608 ~
Yes, it's true; Thistle Cove Farm was listed on the Wall St. Journal print edition, yesterday morning and on their on-line edition, here. For more photos and information, please visit here.
Southwest VA has, according to an ag agent, one of the three finest grazing in the world. Kentucky and Argentina are the other two, and The Cove is renown for raising cattle. At one time, Cove cattle were shipped to England, destined for tables in all of Europe.
~ hand built birch Welsh type cupboard,
shelves can be re-positioned ~
Oral history says the original land was a King George I land grant and, around 1870, after The Late Great Unpleasantness, this property was sold for $300 in back taxes. Thomas Hawkins, Master Builder, started the house in 1900 and finished in 1902. It's said he weighed 350 pounds and would stand in the window frames; if they jiggled, he'd have his workers tear them out and re-build them. Mr. Hawkins said his houses (and he built many) were his lasting legacy. During renovation, in one of the upstairs rooms, a board, signed and dated by Mr. Hawkins, was returned to the place it was found.
Oral history also tells, Mr. Hawkins also like to drink and play poker as well as eat. When he was finished building this house, he sat down with the owner, Shadrach White, to play poker, winner take the money for the two years of work. Mr. Hawkins lost and walked away with the whiskey and food in his belly for those two years.
Since Mr. White purchased the property in, approximately, the 1870's, it's been owned by three families, either passed down or sold within the families.
~ kitchen fireplace with propane logs
and wormy chestnut mantle ~
Fireplaces are either built, or rebuilt, with slave made bricks which were found inside the walls, being used as insulation, an R factor of 1. The house now has R-19 insulation in exterior and interior walls.
1914 Acorn cook stove, 7 burners
3 ovens
1 warming oven
Living room has a Woodstock soapstone stove with fireplace made of slave made bricks. This valley is where the Lassie movie was filmed in 1994.
The front porch with magnificent view of The Cove valley. Hundreds of meals and celebrations have taken place on this porch, at this table.
The hand crafted sun room takes advantage of the same view as the header photo. This room has an adjoining bathroom and is off the kitchen. The walnut floor is also handcrafted; a porch is through the door to the right. Throughout the remainder of the house, are the original heart pine floors.
~ the dream God gave me as a six-year old girl
came true here ~
There is more information and photos on the website; please go here. If it pleases you to pass along this information, please refer people here; there's also an e-mail address associated with this site wherein they may contact me. Please do not give the farm blog address.
Viewing by appointment only with bank pre-approval letter. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed; buyer to verify. This is an historic property and being sold As Is.
Please keep me in your prayers; thank you.
Blessings ~ being allowed to breath new life into this wondrous property ~ living here for so many happy years ~
