Sold- Save This Old c.1836 Nelson Homestead Telescope House on 9.25 Acres Eastern Shore MD Under $75K – 50 Min to Ocean Beaches
OHU50K NOTES. $74,999 Sold for more than asking at $80,000 on March 16, 2023
$74,999 Sold on Sept. 23, 2021 for $65,000 On the Market Again $74,999
Agent Comments
Don’t miss this one of a kind property is a historical gem in dire need of saving! as you step in the front door You are transported back into time . Built in the 1820’s also known as the Nelson Homestead! (The Telescoped design Home) boasting a deep documented history, the home is listed on Maryland’s top ten list of endangered historical properties. With some love and attention it could be restored back to its former glory. Please see documents for full scope of work. Situated on over 9 acres of natural beauty, there is plenty of room for fishing, camping and getting back to nature. The property is close to the waterfront town of Crisfield. Attractions nearby include Sommer’s Cove Marina and Janes Island State Park. Make sure you look through the documents attached to learn even more about the property! Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of history. Purchase includes parcels 27 & 29, Tax map 72.
- 3bed
- Build date 1836
- Google Map
- Property Listing
- Realtor:ERA Martin Associates
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2020 Listing
Family History
The Nelson Homestead telescope house, also known as the Elisha Riggin House, was built around 1836 by Crisfield shipbuilder Elisha Riggin. The Riggin family was one of the early families of Maryland, immigrating from Ireland to the Chespeake Colonies in the mid 17th century, settling along the Pocomoke Sound. William Nelson and his wife Ellen Riggin, a relative of Elisha Riggin, purchased the house from Elisha in 1843. It happily remained in the Nelson family until 1966.
A previous owner, Jennifer Ferguson Smith of the band Naked Blue was working on restoring the building and utilizing it as an artist retreat, music education and heritage tourism site.
Architectural History
Per Wikipedia:
“The three-part wood frame structure rests on a brick pier foundation and is covered by a series of gable roofs. The main part of the house is a three bay structure with a central door. It is attached to a two bay two story structure with central door and a lower roofline, with a two-bay one-story kitchen wing attached. A large brick chimney rises from the east end of the main block and a smaller stack protrudes through the east end of the kitchen wing. About 95% of the original interior woodwork is intact along with some early paint schemes. The finely crafted house is sheathed in cypress and cedar weatherboards and features late Federal style mantels, doors, chair rails and cupboards. The main room of the house has raised panel wainscoting and over-mantel paneling that survives with an early layer of tiger-maple graining. Also on the property is a small frame outbuilding with a gable roof and a family cemetery.
Several other “telescope” style houses remain on the lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, but this house stands out as one of the least altered examples with highly unusual woodwork. Unlike most telescope style houses on the Eastern Shore all three blocks of this one appear to have been built at the same time. Due to construction features, mature cut nails, and some Greek Revival influence in part of the woodwork, it is thought the house was built as late as 1836 with paneling traditions and Federal mantel designs that were common in earlier decades. The Elisha Riggin House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. In 2014 it was included in the top 10 most important endangered historic properties by Preservation Maryland / Endangered Maryland.”
Per Wood and Stone Retreat:
26800 Cash Corner Rd, Crisfield, MD, 21817 $74,900
REALTOR COMMENTS
History
Location
14 Comments
Patrick McCann
I love these houses, I wish I had the time, money and energy to restore these properties. They are only here once and once they are gone, that’s it. Unfortunately the younger generation has virtually no desire to restore these homes. I have seen way too many torn down. And they alltell a story.
Nicole
I could certainly purchase this one, but the buy price would have to come down – what was restored on it ? What are the full taxes? I see it has other parcels of land with it /so all in what are the property taxes?
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For further information, the realtor’s link is provided on the post.
Sherry Hood
Every time I see this house I just fall in love all over again. The old cemetery is a major bonus to me. I just love it. Wish it was in the south somewhere. I’m a southern girl and can no deal with cold weather. I hope someone buys it and lovingly restores it as it should be.
melody f dent
This could make a nice home I love these old houses
Tracy
Does it have a bathroom?
Sheri
Is it haunted?
Freeman
One word: flooding
Rebecca Van Hout
Oh am I tempted as I am a descendant of the Riggin family from this area. But a bit out of my abilities to restore. Has such potential!
rob colando
What a shame that this home is probably beyond restoration. I know for a fact that the home has to be raised about 4′ and the state requires that you not just pier it but add thousands of yards of clean fill to actually raise the ground level under and surounding the home. Then you need to get approval for a septic system and well, If it was just a matter of home restoration it would be easy beeezy. Blame local codes and state regulations for the demise of this fabulous historical home.
[email protected]
I knew it had to be raised, but didn’t realize about fill.
George Bahr
Such a cool place with awesome history and its own family graveyard! 10 acres, too.!
victoria
How can the state apply requirements for the new buyer to “raise it 4′ and add thousands of yards of clean fill”? The new listing isnt as neat as the previous(the current owner may have had workers in and out, and the home looks better in warm seasons). Didnt they fix the chimneys and the roof. It may have suffered damage without those repairs . Flooding may be eventual, but maybe not in the lifetime of the next buyer. The next owner may have other valuable contributions to saving it. Raising it will alter it a lot, and it’s appeal. Will the state share the costs? I thought residents in flood threatened areas could count on planning projects to keep the areas dry and safe for the most part? Are there any underweigh? What is all that scratching on the walls ?
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Please direct all questions to the realtor.