Part 3: The One That Got Away

 

 Here she is in all her Historic Glory.

This Gothic Revival has been in my heart since

I first laid eyes on her.

It was built in 1856

by  Civil War Captain,

Mr. Kennon.

{Crazy, huh?!}

Another iconic family lived here as well.

The Paulks.

Doesn't ring a bell, does it?

How about Mrs. Bonnie Paulk?

No?

Okay, how about

Bonnie Plants?

Yep, it all started here

with 10 pounds of cabbage seed.

Of course, back then, this homestead was

on 209 acres. 

It now sits on a mere 3+ acres.

Still, I am in love 

with its story.

Could you imagine living in this house?

It was very serene walking through the doors.

It is a calm home. Maybe it could feel our

energy and said, "NO WAY! They have crazy kids!"

Hey, you never know! 

Come on, I'll show you around then tell you what happened...

{click on the photos to enlarge}

Entry hall

Vintage wallpaper in the entry hall

The"sitting"room (would've been our dining room)

One of the bedrooms. This one was finished and
would have been Petunia's room.

This would have been the boys room.

This would have been the master bedroom

Master bath

Kitchen

Kitchen back door with a slammin' screen! So loved that!

Formal living room with formal dining through the doorway.
Formal living would have been dining and sitting room for guests
and the other room would have been our family room.

A large concrete pad perfect for a BIG barn!

Gates to the woods. 

This is actually on the neighbors property but in view from the
kitchen window. I'm certain this once belonged to the old homestead.
I was going to ask to buy it from them. Love, LOVE.

We would have renovated this into a guest house for our B & B.

Cottage number 2. Another guest house.

Gorgeous brick patio behind the house.

The grand front porch.  The Azaleas were so beautiful!

On the front porch.

A view from the front porch. This Victorian is across the street
and is a 2nd home to the owner. 

So, we looked at it again after our first visit.

Husband loved the wooded acreage on the back side

of the property and was already planning out

the kids  tree forts, zip lines and beautiful

hidden gardens for our guests that would 

be staying at our

Bed and Breakfast

{which is what we had intentions for}.

We even got to meet our new neighbor,

Miss. Martha!

Talk, talk, talk.

Fly home.

Phone calls and email to Realtor.

Email offer.

First Yes {Bank President}.

President presents to Board

{not sure if it even got that far}.

Cash offer comes in.

We got the B.U.M.P.

Sigh.

Sigh some more.

Try and look at the bright side.

Roll eyes at the umpteenth,

"It only means something else better

will come along".

Hmm....

To Be Continued.

xo, Amber

Part 2: Southern CHARM

Okay, so I was totally in love 

with all things Southern  

before we went to Alabama.

The way of life,

the slower pace,

the hospitality,

the cost of living,

manners,

front porches,

fireflies,

the accent

and of course,

sweet tea.

I found Union Springs

after seeing a few homes for sale

on Historic Properties

a couple of years ago and 

just started researching the 

area and what the South

is all about.

The only real way to learn about it

is to GO. 

... and so we went on our

Adventure.

* *

Driving into town and 

stepping out of the car

only to see things I had 

previously seen in pictures,

I fell completely

head over heals,

BIG time.

So did he {husband}. 

Miss. Joyce had warned me

that we may not like it

because it was kinda 

stuck in the 50's.

My heart pitter-pattered.

{We liked that idea.}

We pulled up to 

The Josephine Hotel

which is now

The Josephine Art Center.

The main floor of the three story hotel

houses the

Real Estate office,

an Art Gallery

and a Sandwich Shoppe - Ice Cream Parlor.

The upper two levels are awaiting renovation

to bring them back to their past splendor.

I wish I had taken pictures in there,

you can see and feel what it once was

and boy, was it grand.

The wood work is so beautiful

and well preserved.

Miss. Joyce has hopes of bringing

 it back to a working inn.

It would be fabulous!

Prairie Street

In the city center is a statue

of a Bird Dog because

Union Springs  

has the the best and largest 

Field Trial event

in the nation. 

I can tell you so much more but I'll end up 

writing a book so I'll 

fast forward to the houses.

Oh, the houses mansions.

Oh My Goodness...

This beautiful lady is getting a
complete overhaul so she can
continue to stand for many more
years to come. I think it's
great people are moving to town
and saving these homes.
Many are from Civil War times and
the history that fills them
is amazing. 

This particular home is said to be one of the
most spiritually inhabited. It sure is beautiful!

Union Springs is probably one of the most beautiful

places that I have ever been to and seen.

We were completely mesmerized by the 

charming homes, picture perfect neighborhoods

and the smell of wisteria, azaleas and the forest.

But nothing tops the hospitality of our new

friends in Union Springs.

Hopefully one day, we'll be able to call 

them neighbors.

Next post: The homestead that really stole our hearts.

Wait till you hear the story that comes with this home.

You'll fall in love too.

xo, Amber