1812 HISTORIC SIMMONS HOMESTEAD ON SOUTH BRANCH OF POTOMAC RIVER

1812 HISTORIC SIMMONS HOMESTEAD ON THE SOUTH BRANCH OF POTOMAC RIVER At the heart of every exceptional property is a sense of place. The Simmons Homestead is unmistakable and tells a remarkable story spanning 212 years and 86 acres. Anchoring the farm is mile of frontage on the South Branch of the Potomac River. There is a restored 9 room manor house (circa 1812) that sits at the end of a mile long driveway with sweeping 180-degree views. Surrounding the house, 45 acres of West Virginia river bottomland unfold, while an additional 40 acres of forested mountain land rises up behind it. An historic log barn (circa 1780) and numerous outbuildings are spread across the property. Other improvements include an exceptional log cabin featuring a native stone chimney, hearth and foundation, an half acre pond, fencing, and a private bridge spanning the South Branch of the Potomac River. The Simmons Homesteads balance of seclusion, privacy, and convenience is unbeatable. The nations capital is only three hours away. Harrisonburg, one of Virginias most appealing towns, lies just 75 minutes to the east. The Simmons Homestead stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of West Virginia and the country lifestyle and presents a rare opportunity to own one of the areas legacy landholdings. The Simmons Homestead dates to 1760 when the German born Leonard Simmons (1726-1808) pioneered the South Branch of the Potomac River. There, he established his homestead near what is now Cave, WV. Leonards son Henry (1760 in 1823) built a brick home in 1812 on the lower part of the farm. This 212 year old historic home still stands as a lasting testament of the pioneering Simmons family. Leonard Simmons was born in 1725 in Germany into a farming family. In 1760 the 35-year-old Leonard pioneered the South Branch of the Potomac River and established his homestead near what is now the small community of Cave WV. There, Leonard built a log cabin where he and his wife Mary raised 5 children. In 1808, at age 82, the pioneering Leonard Simmons died. His son Henry II, born 1760, built a brick home on the lower part of the farm in 1812. This home, which still stands today, headquartered General Stonewall Jackson in 1862 during the Civil War. After a couple of days, Jackson continued the march of his army to the Shenandoah Valley. The same son, Henry II, had six children with his wife Mary. Henry II died in 1823 at age 63. THE HOMESTEAD 86.5 +/- acres of fields, forest, and home grounds 3-story brick home built in 1812 One and half story hand hewn log cabin new in 2022 Large Pre 1800s log barn South Branch of the Potomac River borders for mile of river frontage Forest trails for ATV riding, hiking, camping, hunting and nature viewing Utilities on site SOUTH BRANCH OF THE POTOMAC RIVER (SBPR) SBPR is the Simmons Homesteads northwestern property boundary for 3000 Perfect for all water sport activities supported by the Potomac River and the regions lakes and rivers Native Brook Trout inhabit the waters of the SBPR Is heavily stocked by the WVDNR January thru June and in October More trophy fish are taken from the South Branch than any other WV stream LOCATION Located 5 miles from the Virginia state line in the border county of Pendelton Near the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area Excellent access off year-round state-maintained roads Small town amenities are available in nearby Franklin and Monterey Large city amenities are available in Harrisonburg VA, and Staunton Va, a 75-minute drive Four-hour drive from Washington DC One hour drive from Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort AGRICULTURE One of the oldest farms in the state of West Virginia, circa 1760 Approximately 13 acres in hay fields, 12 acres in pasture fields, and an additional 13 acres in fields of minor use Boundary fence between pasture boundary & cross fencing Well-maintained pastures and hayfields FOREST Size 35 acres The mature forest is comprised of Red Oak, White Oak, Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Cherry Hickory, and Poplar Dynamic forest with some old growth trees estimated to be 150+ years old Forest soaks up tons of Carbon Dioxide and produces tons of life-giving oxygen Produces lots of hard mast (acorns, hickory nuts) for the resident wildlife to feed on WILDLIFE Incredible resident wildlife population rich in diversity and ever changing Fur bearing deer, black bear, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, raccoon, fox, chipmunk, opossum Area winged wildlife includes Neotropical songbirds, turkey, grouse, eagles, herons, hawks, owls, ravens, king fishers, ravens, crows, and hummingbirds OTHER ATTRIBUTES Some very cool fossils estimated to be 400 million years old Large size lends itself to expanding this already amazing country retreat Very private but not remote with river, mountain and valley views A rewarding off-grid permaculture lifestyle can be easily developed Surrounded by mountain farms, and large timber tracts in a quiet rural neighborhood Dark skies with little or no light pollution for star gazing and planet observation Rock outcroppings for rock climbing, bouldering and exploring Low taxes, low population density All water, subsurface, timber, and mineral rights in title will convey No current gas or oil lease Conveys by General Warranty Deed FARMHOUSE HIGHLIGHTS Constructed two hundred twelve years ago in 1812 The three-story brick farmhouse is up to date, in excellent condition, and lives like new 11 rooms; including kitchen, breakfast nook, 3 bedrooms, 2 partially finished bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, family room, and dining room The exterior bricks were handmade onsite and fired in a charcoal kiln The impressive foundation was set using large native stone quarried nearby Total home 2,424 +/- sf: Main Floor 1095 sf, Second Floor 851 sf., Third Floor 478 sf. Seamed tin roof and full basement Kitchen features a soapstone farmhouse sink, Sub Zero refrigerator, granite and butcher block counter tops, roomy pantry with original storage bins and custom shelves The dining room features a built-in, custom designed, hand-built cupboard with vintage glass doors and dentil molding The flooring on the first floor is made of reclaimed vintage heart-pine and oak. The 2nd and 3rd stories have the original heart-pine flooring milled from old growth timber. The main bedroom features a walk-in closet and a sitting area with hand-crafted bookshelves The upstairs bathroom has period wainscoting, original paint, and an exceptionally milled cherry slab countertop The family room has truly unique double fireplaces, stone hearths, and dentil molding Screened three-season porch, covered front porch, deck, patio and several outbuildings Heating: electric baseboard and outdoor wood burning furnace Appliances to convey: Range, refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer / dryer, and water softener LOG CABIN 16 x 18 constructed using native White Pine logs are hand-hewn. Built new in 2022. One story and a loft Covered Porch with long mountain views and sunsets Surrounded by split rail fence Metal roof Stone fireplace Stone foundation Stone Chimney Electric HOMESTEAD BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS Circa pre-1800s large log barn 10 x 12 hand-hewn log garden shed built in 2022 Multiple outbuildings; two have electricity THE SOUTH BRANCH OF THE POTOMAC RIVER (SBPR) The Simmons Homestead is bordered by the South Branch of the Potomac River for approximately mile. The South Branch of the Potomac offers trophy trout fishing as well as trophy largemouth bass and small mouth bass fishing. The South Branch has been called the best kept fishing secret of West Virginia. The Upper South Branch has prolific cold springs entering the stream and the stream runs over limestone rocks and undercuts making the pH and the environment excellent for trout. The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources stocks the South Branch heavily each year beginning in January and runs until June with some additional stockings in October. Trout are stocked 1 mile upstream and 1 mile downstream from the property. The town of Franklin is where the trout action begins, rainbow, golden rainbow, brown and brook trout abound in the stream. Each year, more trophy trout are caught in the South Branch than any other stream in West Virginia. The state record for brown trout was hauled from the South Branch 32 inches long and weighing in at whopping 16 pounds. The area from Franklin to approximately three miles east of Petersburg at Welton Park is known as an area where an angler can catch trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass all in a single day. The South Branch of the Potomac is approximately 130 miles long, and its source is on the eastern side of Lantz Mountain, near Hightown in Highland County, Virginia. From Hightown, the South Branch meanders northeast through the communities of New Hampden and Blue Grass, Virginia. At Forks of Waters, approximately 6 miles northeast of Monterey, Virginia, the South Branch joins with Strait Creek and flows north across the Virginia/West Virginia border into Pendleton County. The river then travels on a northeastern course along U.S. Route 220. North of the confluence of the South Branch with Smith Creek, the river around Franklin, Pendleton County, West Virginia, at the junction of U.S. Route 220 and U.S. Route 33. After Franklin, the South Branch continues north through the Monongahela National Forest to Upper Tract where it joins with three sizeable streams: Reeds Creek, Mill Run, and Deer Run. The South Branch continues its journey eventually converging with the Potomac River. The Potomac River is at least 3.5 million years old and is a major river in the Mid-Atlantic region. It flows from the Potomac Highlands in West Virginia to the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. The drainage area of the Potomac includes 14,670 square miles in four states: Virginia (5,723 sq. mi.), Maryland (3,818 sq. mi.), West Virginia (3,490 sq. mi.), Pennsylvania (1,570 sq. mi.), and the District of Columbia (6