100 State Highway 3, Union, Wv 24983 (MLS# 13-194)

Property Attributes: Historic

Flooring: Carpet; Hardwood

Air Conditioning: None

Heating: Radiant Heat

Exterior Material: Brick

Foundation: Block

Roofing: Shingles

Views: Mountain; Valley

For nearly 250 years, Wyndridge Farm has been one the area’s premier historic farmsteads. Encompassing about 300 rolling acres of some of the richest land west of the Alleghenies, Wyndridge continues its long heritage as of a working cattle farm. Stunning long-range views and a mix of old growth forest and native bluegrass pastures compliment the historical significance of Wyndridge. Wyndridge is significant in that it represents the early settlement of the trans Allegheny area as well as its refinement. The property is also significant in that its owners have always been committed to the advancement of their community, a time span well over two hundred years. Wyndridge has about it a mystique that exhibits what is best about the farming community of Monroe County. It has always been a source of pride for its citizens. Around 1773 the first log home was built here and stands today alongside the sophisticated farm home that William Gaston Caperton, Jr constructed one hundred years later in 1872. The “Caperton Home” has the distinction of having been placed on the National Historic Register. The rich land in the Union area was a prize for the early settlers and they soon established their homes here after crossing the Alleghenies from the Great Valley of Virginia. Long range views of the surrounding mountains and rolling hills add to the charm and grace of Wyndridge Farm. Low taxes, clean water, clean air and friendly people contribute to the areas exceptional quality of life. Numerous and various species of migratory songbirds, blue birds and finches are found on the property. Their songs are easily heard as there is not much in the way of extraneous noises in the area. This lack of outside noise creates a very tranquil setting and is a rare find in today’s industrialized world operating at breakneck speed. THE AREA The charming village of Union, which is the Monroe County seat, is just a 2 minute drive. Banking, healthcare facilities, drugstore, grocery shopping and a great family restaurant are readily available. Some of the friendliest people in West Virginia can be found in Monroe County. Monroe County has a population of about 13,000 residents and does not have a stoplight and has more cattle and sheep than people. There are no fast food restaurants but there is the local restaurant, “Kalico Kitchen”, in downtown Union that is packed each morning for breakfast and then again for lunch. Lewisburg, which is the Greenbrier County seat, was voted the Coolest Small Town in American in 2011 and is just a 25 minute drive to the thriving downtown historic district. The downtown boasts a year round live theatre, Carnegie Hall, several fabulous restaurants, antique shops and boutiques. There is also a modern hospital and all attendant medical facilities along with all the big box stores. The Greenbrier County Airport, which has WV’s longest runway, is located just 30 minutes away and has daily flights to Atlanta and Washington DC. The world famous Greenbrier Resort is about 25 minutes’ drive and Snowshoe Ski Resort is about 2 hours’ drive. Roanoke is 90 minutes, DC is 4 hours and Charlotte is 3 hours away. MAIN RESIDENCE The custom built home, with large windows and sliding glass doors, was constructed atop a wooded knoll to capture the stunning views of the distant mountains and valley below. The surrounding grounds have several 100+ year old hickories, oaks, ash and black walnut trees that create a sense of solitude and tranquility. The 4938’+/- sqft main residence was built for the present owner in 1970. There are 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, formal dining room, formal living room, kitchen, study, 3 fireplaces, foyer, laundry room, den, safe room and attic. There is also a 2528’sqft unfinished basement and large storage closets. The brick used for the home’s exterior was handmade in VA. HISTORIC HOME Around 1773 the first log home was built here and stands today alongside the sophisticated farm home that William Gaston Caperton, Jr constructed one hundred years later in 1872. The “Caperton Home” has the distinction of having been placed on the National Historic Register. This two story home, Greek Revival in style and southern in feel, was popular with the more prosperous landowners in Monroe County in the decades just prior to and just after the Civil War. The home is about 4900 square feet with the main block enclosing two- two story late 1700’s hand-hewn V-notched log structures. All woodwork (doors and window casings, fireplace fronts, stair railings and spindles) are constructed of native black walnut cut from the property. In most cases, the flooring is also black walnut and an alternating strip of white oak is used to give a striped effect. The formal parlor and dining room retain their original 1872 kerosene hanging lamps. The foundation is native soapstone, as is the kitchen chimney. For a complete description of this magnificent home please see the description as submitted to the National Historic Register under “Maps and Documents” section of this site. Foundation: Hand-cut Soapstone Roof: Tin Date of Roof: 1872 Floor: Hardwood, Heat: Electric and Propane Air-conditioning: none, rarely needed. Water: Spring Sewer: Unknown Telephone: Landline- temporarily disconnected. Cellphone Coverage: very good in most places. Items to Convey: Appliances and other personal property to be determined at time of sale. THE BARN AND OUTBUILDINGS The early log home built by Henry Blanton about 1773 stands alongside the historic Caperton Home with one room above and one below with stone chimney. Stone pier supports of cut soapstone form the foundation. This log house has one door and two windows on the first floor and one small peculiar window in the gable end of the second story. Logs are hand-hewn and V-notched. This home is the oldest structure still standing in the Union area. Other contributing buildings just north-east of the house are a log ice house and log smoke house, each of which is approximately twelve feet square and of the same log construction as the other log structures. The south gable ends are extended without supports to form a covered entrance. Clustered on a hill and also north-east of the house is a large barn with vertical siding, a cattle scales and a machine shed. Each has a standing seam tin roof. Construction dates are late nineteenth century. A late nineteenth century carriage shed with verticular flat-board siding is situated south of the house along with one other contributing shed of unknown use. AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES Wyndridge Farm was named 1992 District Conservation Farm of the Year and is considered one of the outstanding grazing farms in Monroe County. The farm has approximately 220 acres of gently rolling meadows, hay fields, pastures, and garden areas. About 75 head of cattle along with their attendant calves graze on seasonal grasses in the pastures. Much of the land would be suitable for growing corn or other small grain crops. Sheep also do well in this area and one might consider raising alpacas or llamas. The soils and elevation would be well suited for establishing a vineyard or fruit orchard. There is only 150’ in elevation change across the entire boundary which runs the perimeter of the property for over 18000’ (about 3.5 miles). There is no shortage of room to establish a vegetable garden and the rich soil and abundant sunshine is perfect for growing tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, squash, cucumbers, carrots, onions and any of the “Greens” (kale, mustard and collards). The open land is fenced and cross fenced and the fencing is considered good on most areas of the farm. Water for livestock is provided by two farm ponds. The entire boundary is currently being rented as a grazing boundary but there are several sections of the farm that would be suitable for hay production if so desired. The rich, “sweet” soils are perfect for producing seasonal grasses for grazing or hay and this land could also be used in the production of corn, pumpkins etc. Monroe County ranks 3rd out of 55 counties in WV for the production of beef and 1st in the production of sheep. Wyndridge is considered to be one of the county’s nicer grazing boundaries. There is a year to year written farm lease. Annual rental is paid to the owners by the farm Lessee’s. WATER ON THE FARM A blue line stream meanders for about ½ mile along the western boundary of the farm. Several other seasonal and ephemeral streams are found on the property. There are two very nice ponds that provide water for the cattle as well as fishing for the family and friends. FOREST RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE Wyndridge Farm has about 80 acres of mature forestland. This woodland acreage is scattered about between the meadows in small woodlots creating an enchanting feel and look to the farm., Some of the trees would be considered “Heritage Trees”. These ancient trees, some of which are 200-300 years old, have withstood the test of time, weathering ice, wind, lightning strikes, fire and of course – woodpeckers. One extremely large White Oak (Quercus Alba) growing along the meadow above the old barn has a circumference of over 15 feet. There are also several Black Walnut trees scattered about that are very beautiful and stately and produce an abundance of tasty walnuts in the fall of the year. The farm is home to a wide array of wildlife. MINERALS RESOURCES The Marcellus Shale underlies the property at a depth of 5000′+. The east coast Marcellus Shale Region is thought to contain enough natural gas to power the United States for over 100 years. There is a current oil and gas lease on the property. The oil and gas lease along with all the mineral rights the seller owns will transfer to the purchaser at closing. There are no known coal reserves underlying the property. All prospective purchasers are encouraged to have an attorney do a title searc