When a house is 110 years old it’s bound to have an interesting history, and sometimes such a home will even offer a bit of mystery. The home at 623 Graydon Ave. in Norfolk certainly has a little of both.
Built around 1908 — or perhaps a little earlier — what appears to be a Craftsman-style home was, according to the owners, possibly used to house visitors to the 1907 Jamestown Exposition hosted by the city. Much of that activity took place on land that is today Naval Station Norfolk and the event had a substantial impact on the future development of the base.
“There was also a rumor that someone found a substantial amount of gold coins under floorboards on the second floor when remodeling the bathroom,” said Tiffany Johnson, who along with her husband Joe owns the property.
The entire home has been refurbished, from the basement to the third floor.
“With the exception of one small nook that is,” she said. “Through a small access in the basement, Joe found himself in the area under the stair case, which had been untouched.”
But it wasn’t an empty space, and it wasn’t piled full of junk.
It appears to have been used by an undersized resident of the home.
“It was once a child’s special secret spot,” Tiffany said. “Joe found a deflated leather football, pictures from a 1930s Farmer’s Almanac pinned to the walls, and a small metal pie pan. We always wondered what imaginary adventures a child had under there.”
As is common with old homes there’s beautiful woodwork everywhere: crown molding remains, as do baseboards, window treatments, wood flooring, fireplace mantels, and wainscot in the dining room, where there’s also still the original service bell.
“The home has all the comfort of modern living yet has retained so much of its original beauty and charm. The architecture and floor plan are a decorators dream come true,” she added. “The second floor has large bedrooms that offer privacy, yet coziness. I would sit in our son’s nursery and listen to the faint fog horns from ships on cool spring mornings, and sometimes could make out a whistle from the shipyard. It was so peaceful.”
The home is served by W.H. Taylor Elementary, Blair Middle, and Maury High School.
For more information on the home visit Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.
