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Spotsylvania couple keeps going with restoration of 1818 house and horse farm while property is on the market Date published: 12/5/2008
BY RICHARD AMRHINE Whoever settled on the land along Guinea Station Road and built a farmhouse there in 1818 might be surprised to know that the property is almost as isolated now as it was then. They might also be surprised that the house is still standing after 190 years and, so many appreciative owners later, is undergoing another restoration. Long before it was Leah and John Roehl's 65-acre horse farm known as Westwood, the property at 3918 Guinea Station Road was one of several plantations amid the rolling hills on the well-traveled Colonial route. The original house was a typical two-over-two, with exterior brick chimneys on either end. There was one significant addition in the 1950s. Westwood was once next door to another historic plantation, currently La Vista Bed and Breakfast, but they are now separated by the KOA campground. A short distance down the road was the Chandler farm, where a mortally wounded Gen. Stonewall Jackson was taken and lived his final days. Gen. Robert E. Lee had his friend carried to the Guinea area, some 20 miles from where he was wounded at Chancellorsville, because Lee knew he'd be out of harm's way. LOVE FOR WESTWOOD The Roehls acquired the property a few years ago and embarked on its restoration in November 2006. "When we first came to look at it, it was hideous. That's the only way to say it," said Leah Roehl. "But I fell in love with it." That was partly because of her lifelong love of horses, and the property had become an established horse farm with stables and barns. The reasonable price also made it too good a deal to pass up. As the restoration has proceeded--it has been a learning experience for the couple--their appreciation for the house has grown and left them on the fence about their plans to resell it. There is a lot for a horse-lover to love, and much of it was remodeled or renewed since 2007. The Roehls own or care for 15 horses at the farm. The main, center-aisle barn has a tack room and eight stalls with heat lamps, including a foaling stall. There are huge indoor and outdoor arenas, a new two-stall cottage barn, plus another barn with four pony-size stalls. Four other large paddocks have new fencing. About 50 of the 65 acres is open turnout space and pasture.
Date published: 12/5/2008
for $500,000 tops.
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