Summer Duck Lane

“God granted me the good fortune to be able to buy this property,” said Jon Ireland as he and his wife, Kay, surveyed the secluded valley that surrounds their home of many years. “I grew up in the area and lived in Unionville, Chester Springs and Ludwig’s Corner. We moved here before we had children, knowing we wanted the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District for our home,” he continued.

Having hundreds of acres of conserved land surrounding their property, along with a buffalo ranch as a neighbor and The Whip Tavern within walking distance are just a few bonus features of this hidden gem in southern Chester County.

First Sight

While the c.1638 original home with its 2014 log-cabin style addition may look picture-perfect on this site, that’s not what the Irelands saw when they found the property. “The place was completely overgrown, with trees growing out of the porch,” said Jon. “It was a total disaster.” An old stone bank barn looked ready to fall down at any moment, and a dilapidated wooden bridge over the former tracks of the Pomeroy & Newark Railroad could too easily injure an inquisitive young explorer.

But with the help of Lindsay Construction in Chadds Ford, local contractors and craftsmen, plus plenty of DIY energy, the couple built a home that looks like it’s been at this site for centuries. Stone from the barn and local fieldstone was used to build fireplaces, chimneys, retaining walls and other features. Wood was reused where possible, including a chestnut support beam that’s now a stunning mantel in the great room. The old barn was demolished and the wooden bridge rebuilt as part of the transformation.

And so this former Christmas tree farm with towering evergreens mingled with old-growth oaks, tranquil spring-fed pond, picturesque stone springhouse, and open hay fields perfect for grazing horses became a modern country home, while retaining classic Chester County features and charm.

A Little History

There’s actually a lot of history attached to this home off Springdell Road, part of the hamlet of Springdell. A William Penn land grant in 1638 to Enoc Baker made this the first registered property in West Marlborough Township.

For many years, a nearby station for the Pomeroy Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad was a cattle offloading facility for the King Ranch, delivering trainloads of cattle from Texas to the rich grasslands of the Brandwine Valley. Before that, trains of the Pomery & Newark Railroad ran on tracks through the property, bringing grain from local grist mills. With the railroads shutting down around 1980, the track beds are now grassy private walking paths.

The Home

A long, scenic, paved drive leads up to the original 17th-century Penn stone farmhouse, which had a classic two-over-two layout that’s since been opened up to create larger, modern spaces in this two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath home. Older structures were removed — including logs chinked with horsehair and old newspapers — before building the rustic-looking yet modern log-cabin style addition in 2014. The new space created a great room and eat-in kitchen with a new stairway to a spacious second-floor bedroom. A wrap-around porch completes the front and side of the home, while a patio and fieldstone retaining walls define the back.

Period details are incorporated throughout the home: fieldstone fireplaces, hand-hewn beams, rat-tail hinges and other period hardware. Repurposed harness hooks hold open kitchen shelving that complements the striking black and burnt orange cabinetry crafted by Kendl Monn, along with other built-ins by Joe Maxwell.

Classic period paint colors were selected for the rooms and woodwork to preserve the historic feeling of the home, while amenities like high ceilings, modern bathrooms and second-floor laundry create a comfortable family home. A living room and primary bedroom fill the space in the original structure. Part of the attic became a cedar closet, and a whole-property generator makes country living more secure.

Other Options

Although surrounded by conserved land, this property is free from deed restrictions, making it an ideal haven for an equestrian lifestyle in the heart of Cheshire Hunt country. A new barn and paddocks could once again grace open land.

The property, which enjoys favorable Act 319 tax benefits, is two separate tax parcels, offering flexibility for expansion or development. Options include expanding the existing residence, building a new home, or creating a world-class equestrian facility. This property offers endless possibilities in a setting of unmatched natural beauty.

Why would anyone want to leave this slice of bucolic beauty? “Our daughters are growing up and need more space and proximity to their friends,” said the Irelands. And what will they miss the most? “Everything,” they said in unison. And, of course, watching the sunset from a rocking chair on the wraparound porch.

For more information about this 40-acre West Marlborough property — in two tax parcels, free from deed restrictions — with pond, springhouse, walking trails and expanded historic home with 2 bedrooms and 1.1 baths, contact Karen Nader, Monument Sotheby’s International Realty. 484- 888-5597; 610-474-6520. Karen.Nader@SothebyRealty.com. Price upon request.