Ct Insider LogoHearst Newspapers Logo

Southport home: Historic appeal, comtemporary comforts

By Updated
The property at 52 Main St. in the Southport section of town is on the market for $1,895,000.
The property at 52 Main St. in the Southport section of town is on the market for $1,895,000.Contributed photo

The Eliphalet Thorp House at 52 Main St. in the Southport section of town has stood the test of time since it was built in 1792. The Antique Colonial house that was once inhabited by members of the Sherwood and Jennings families had a scare back in the summer of 2011, but even the menacing winds of Tropical Storm Irene were unable to destroy it, although that storm made a valiant attempt.

If one believes in superstitions, it may have been a "resident" from centuries past who helped the house endure even when the storm toppled a tree on the front lawn and sent it through the roof over the master bedroom, where the owners were sound asleep. The owners were uninjured and the damage was minimal. In the 18th century, people thought hiding a woman's shoe somewhere in a house during its construction would bring its residents good luck.

More Information

ABOUT THIS HOUSE
TYPE: Antique Colonial
ADDRESS: 52 Main St.
PRICE: $1,895,000
NUMBER OF ROOMS: 10
FEATURES: walking distance to Southport Railroad Station, the Village and beach, proximity to I-95, historic house, 0.62-acre level property, in-ground swimming pool, fountain, original post and beams, original wide-planked chestnut floors, front and rear staircases, large sun porch, seven original fireplaces, original chestnut floors, bluestone patio, stone wall, porch, four bedrooms with optional fifth bedroom in the quaint loft area, three full and one half baths
SCHOOLS: Mill Hill Elementary, Tomlinson Middle, Fairfield Ludlowe High
ASSESSMENT: $1,190, 000
TAX RATE: 24.4 mills
TAXES: $29,036

A shriveled leather woman's shoe was found in that bedroom by the crew of the construction company that did the restoration work and they returned the shoe to its hiding place as they made repairs, hoping that it continues to bring luck to subsequent owners.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

What's also lucky about this house is its location in the heart of Southport Village, which affords easy proximity to transportation amenities and shops. Village boutiques, eateries and the post office are only steps away. The Southport Railroad Station is about two blocks away, while the Post Road (Route 1) and Interstate 95 are conveniently close. Southport Harbor is also just a couple of blocks from the house.

This historic house straddles the past and present, both respecting and maintaining vintage elements while allowing for a contemporary lifestyle.

The refinished, wide-planked hardwood chestnut floors are original to the house, and so are its numerous fireplaces and exposed beams.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

Adding to its historic charm is the red barn-like two-car detached garage that is made to look vintage, but really was built in the late-20th Century.

The front entrance of this 3,604-square-foot house has a transom and opens to a small foyer. There are fireplaces in the formal living room, office and keeping room in this wing of the house.

The office could serve instead as a guest suite because it has its own full bath with a soaking tub. The keeping room fireplace is against a wood-paneled wall and it has a mantel with decorative fluted columns and a cabinet with red-brick shelving inside.

Off the keeping room is a large screened sun porch with two walls of floor-to-ceiling screens. This relaxing space looks out upon the attractive backyard which the owner calls "a half-acre oasis with a pool and fountain located right in the village."

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

This private setting also features an ivy-covered well, bluestone patio and beautiful gardens, particularly at this time of year. "You have no sense that Pequot Avenue is feet away," the homeowner said.

There is one more room in this wing of the house. It is the formal dining room, which also has a fireplace as well as chair rail, bay window and built-in glass-front cabinet.

A newer wing of the house contains the family room and kitchen, which are open to each other, separated only by a long and wide peninsula with a Silestone countertop. It creates a breakfast bar for three. The newly renovated kitchen has a farm sink, white subway tile backsplash, hardwood floor, Bosch four-burner range and Asko dishwasher.

In the family room the centerpiece is the wide fieldstone fireplace that goes from the floor to the top of the cathedral ceiling. It has an arched firebox and storage cubby for wood.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

One side of the wall has a large pane of glass from which the property's barn/garage is visible.

On the second floor, two of the bedrooms have fireplaces, including the master suite.

For more information or to set up an appointment to see the house, contact Andrew Whiteley of Al Filippone Associates, an affiliate of William Raveis Real Estate at 203-258-1595.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

ABOUT THIS HOUSE

TYPE: Antique Colonial

ADDRESS: 52 Main St.

PRICE: $1,895,000

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

NUMBER OF ROOMS: 10

FEATURES: walking distance to Southport Railroad Station, the Village and beach, proximity to I-95, historic house, 0.62-acre level property, in-ground swimming pool, fountain, original post and beams, original wide-planked chestnut floors, front and rear staircases, large sun porch, seven original fireplaces, original chestnut floors, bluestone patio, stone wall, porch, four bedrooms with optional fifth bedroom in the quaint loft area, three full and one half baths

SCHOOLS: Mill Hill Elementary, Tomlinson Middle, Fairfield Ludlowe High

ASSESSMENT: $1,190, 000

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

TAX RATE: 24.4 mills

TAXES: $29,036

|Updated
By