Historic James Linn House c.1840
A gorgeous restoration of a 4BR & 2.5BA stone home with no expense spared in Pennsylvania orchard country near Fairfield & Gettysburg, featuring beautiful wood floors & high ceilings, spacious kitchen with center island, a main level master suite and an enormous amount of character & charm. This extraordinary property has an attached 2 car garage, an additional over-sized detached 2 car garage, a vintage outbuilding set up as a workshop & the original stone spring house, as well as, mature landscaping and lush plantings.
The owners of this beautiful home have lovingly preserved the historic detailing where possible and replicated details where necessary, so the house has a period feel, but with the modern amenities that we have come to expect, like luxurious bathrooms, spacious bedrooms, gourmet kitchen, new plumbing, new electrical, zoned central air conditioning & heating, a large addition with over-sized garage & recreation room, an enormous amount of insulation, and so much more. The current stewards have spent their tenure bringing the James Linn House back to it’s original glorious state, while at the same time, ushering it into 21st century standards of living. They have invested far more money into this project than the offering price, but as a labor of love, they have saved this noble structure for the ages and the next steward can enjoy the benefits of the current owner’s passion for historic preservation. From the roomy front porch, one can view the massive stone wall these stewards constructed with thousands of large field stones laboriously stacked on top of each other, beginning well before the house and extending well past the house, edging the sleepy country road and defining the beautifully landscaped front yard.
With nearly 3 acres, this is a gardener’s paradise. Once a working farm with more expansive acreage, in a rural setting of farms and orchards, this property is ideal for someone with a passion for plants and gardening. There are over 100 White Pine, Douglas Fir & Spruce trees being groomed for harvest and multiple garden plots ready for the next steward’s personal touch and preferences.
Though it has not been a working farm in many years, 2 of the outbuildings have been retained and restored, a charming stone spring house and a produce packing building (now a workshop). The owners added a 28′ x 28′ pole building on a concrete slab with 2 garage-style doors and a high ceiling that is perfect for trucks, trailers, expansive storage or studio.
A dream 19th century stone home in immaculate condition with all the modern amenities, in a rural setting of farms & orchards, this is a home of rare and beautiful distinction, close to DC & Baltimore, yet a world away.
Main Floor (9′ ceiling)
Entry Hall 14′ x 9′ – Wood floor, transom.
Living Room 13′ x 13′ – Wood floor, fireplace with wood mantel & electric insert, hanging lamp, built-in shelving, 3 windows.
Office 15′ x 13′ – Wood floor, hanging lamp, built-in bookcase & cabinet, 1 window.
Powder Room – Wood floor.
Master Bedroom 16′ x 14′ – Carpet, Exposed stone wall, vaulted ceiling, walk-in closet, 2 windows.
*Master Bathroom 12′ x 8′ – Ceramic tile floor, door to commode room, double sinks & mirrors, tile shower, linen closet, 2 windows.
Dining Room 14′ x 14′ – Wood floor, fireplace with wood mantel (decorative), hanging lamp, 3 windows.
Kitchen 14′ x 12′ – Wood floor, center island with washing sink, granite counters, hanging lamp, 2 windows.
Laundry Room – Wood floor.
Family Room 23′ x 16′ – Wood floor, ceiling fan, stone veneered fireplace, exposed stone wall, sliding glass door to brick patio, 4 windows.
Sitting Room 13′ x 12′ – Wood floor, door to garage, door to parking pad, closet, stairs to 2nd floor Recreation Room.
2nd Floor (8′ ceiling)
Landing 28′ x 8′ – Wood floor, 2 windows, door to attic.
Bedroom 2 14′ x 10′ – Wood floor, clothes pegs, picture railing with shelf, 2 windows.
Hall Bathroom 14′ x 9′ – Wood floor, wainscot, double sink, claw foot bath tub, shower, commode room, closet, 2 windows.
Bedroom 3 16′ x 12′ – Wood floor, fireplace with wood mantel (decorative), builtin-in shelving & cabinet, closet, 3 windows.
Bedroom 4 13′ x 12′ – Wood floor, closet, 2 windows.
2nd Floor (rear staircase)
Recreation Room 31′ x 14′ – Carpet, closet (with HVAC), 2 windows.
Attic
Full Walk-up Attic 40′ x 32′ – Fully insulated, HVAC.
Basement
Full Basement 40′ x 32′ – Partial concrete floor, interior stairs & exterior stairs.
Over-Sized Garage (2 car) 28′ x 20′ – Concrete floor, 9’7″ ceiling, built-in storage shelves, 2 windows.
Workshop (Original Farm Building) – Concrete floor, 220 electrical, garage door.
28′ x 28′ Pole Building (Over-sized 2 Car Garage)
Vintage Stone Spring House (Gardening Shed)
All 18 windows within the 1st and 2nd floors have been replaced. Ten units have triple glass. Eight units have double glass.
2004
2006
2007
2009
Construction of rear frame addition and garage completed by Crouthamel Construction
2010
2011
2012
2013
2015
James Linn (1813-1874) married Hannah Chamberlain (1821-1889) and their first son, David, was born in 1841. In 1860, the Linn’s inherited 134 acres of Hannah’s father, David Chamberlain’s estate on his passing. The portion, known then as Upper Beech Springs, included the stone house built for them with stones claimed from the fields & woods of the farm. The stones are noteworthy for their remarkably large size.
In 1874, while loading stones for a new barn, Linn’s leg was injured. He developed lockjaw that resulted in his death. His first son, David, died from disease in the Civil War. Linn’s son, John, bought out his sibling’s shares of the farm and went on to raise his 10 children here. Besides the Linn’s immediate family, the household included a maternal grandmother, a school teacher boarder, and monthly visits by a minister, his wife and son who stayed with the Linn’s on the Saturday night prior to the minister’s monthly Sunday service. There is a story told that the minister always expected supper on his family’s arrival, however, they consistently arrived late at night, long past his arranged time. Mrs. Linn was ill prior to one visit and stayed up late waiting for the minister and finally her husband insisted she go to bed. The minister and his family arrived to no supper and they were never late again.
John Linn purchased a mill at the northern end of Orrtanna, PA, with Roland Biggs and the partnership continued until Linn’s death in 1913.
History of Adams County – Published in 1886
Gettysburg – National Park Service
Civil War Trust – Battle of Gettysburg
Gettysburg Foundation – Visit Gettysburg
Fairfield PA – All about Fairfield and surroundings.
Appalachian Trail – Brief history and information
Ski Liberty Resort – Premiere east coast resort
Lancaster PA – Nearby Lancaster PA amenities
Hershey Amusement Park – An area attraction
Caledonia State Park – Nearby hiking, camping, fishing & more
Updated on June 3, 2021 at 9:15 am
Historic James Linn House c.1840 - 878 Mount Carmel Road, Orrtanna, Pennsylvania, 17353, USA
