Historic Home on the James River Hits the Market

September 5, 2017
This estate combines gracious living with acreage for your horses and some of the best bass fishing in Virginia.

Twelve-acre estate features renovated home, guest house and horse stable

This is a rare opportunity to own a beautiful home built in 1901 that was once the Lee Post Office and the home of its postmistress. With 1,573 feet of river frontage, it’s an equestrian, fishing, hiking and boating paradise, yet is only 26 miles from downtown Richmond and 10 minutes to Route 288.

Located at 555 Lee Road in Crozier, the home is offered for $1.795 million and includes four bedrooms and four full bathrooms on over 12 acres of property.

“If you’re seeking the ultimate in privacy and tranquility, look no further than this scenic property on the James River featuring a beautifully renovated modern house with guest cottage,” said Pam Diemer, a sales associate in the Tuckahoe office of Long & Foster Real Estate and the listing agent representing the property. “This estate combines gracious living with acreage for your horses and some of the best bass fishing in Virginia.”

As you travel down the long driveway to this home, you’ll first fall in love with its peaceful setting and fenced pastures. The front porch with southern exposure is punctuated by a bright lime green door and is the perfect spot to enjoy cold lemonade on a warm day.

Inside, you’ll see many unique and gorgeous features. A see-thru saltwater fish tank between the living and dining rooms creates a stunning focal point and beautifully melds the two rooms together. The first floor guest bedroom suite has a remodeled bathroom with vessel sink and granite countertop vanity.

It’ll be easy to prepare a meal for family or a crowd in the bright and spacious chef’s kitchen with vaulted ceiling, designer lighting, granite countertops, center-island with sink, Sub-Zero refrigerator and six-burner gas range with top broiler.

The kitchen is open to a stunning glass atrium on the back of the house, which masterfully combines indoor and outdoor living. In this glass room, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the meadow and sky. Drinking your morning coffee will be delightful in the breakfast nook with built-in seating superbly integrated into the atrium to share the view. The expansive brick garden terrace is ideal to have drinks before dinner while watching the sunset.

Upstairs, the master suite is romantic with a fireplace, cathedral ceiling, exposed brick walls and updated bathroom. There is an additional comfortable bedroom on this level with an en suite bathroom. Your overnight visitors will enjoy privacy in the guest house featuring a spacious living area with vaulted ceiling and skylight, kitchen, loft bedroom, full bathroom and single-car garage.

Not only is the home impressive, the site itself is of historical significance. In the 19th century, a pole ferry route operated from Richmond into Powhatan County, carrying prominent military officials past the property. The pole ferry was a flat-bottom boat propelled by a pole attached to cables spanning the river, which was located at the end of the property. Remnants of the old ferry were discovered by the previous owner and may still be found today. A similar ferry is still operational in Scottsville, Virginia, and is the last pole ferry in the United States.

Lee Station, as the estate is named, is the site where Lee Post Village was located along the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad. The Lee Post Office, located in the home, was in operation from 1883 to 1954. Local residents picked up their mail at a window, which has now been incorporated into the home’s interior. The mail was delivered by train to the Lee Train Station, also located on the property. A framed and signed document from the Postmaster General of the United States appointing Velma Doris Hamaker as the Postmaster in 1937 is displayed on the kitchen wall. Hamaker also lived in the home during the time she worked at the post office.

The historic Kanawha Canal on the James River has been restored and extends the length of the property in front of the house. Built in the 1820s, the canal transported passengers and freight by water from the western counties of Virginia to the coast. George Washington surveyed the canal and was its major advocate. Its towpath later became the site for the rail line that runs along the river. The canal is stocked with fish and a paddle boat conveys with the property for a closer view or just to take a leisurely ride.

Additional parcels of property are available for purchase, which would be ideal for creating a family compound in this scenic spot along the beautiful James River.

An agent open house will be held at the property on Sept. 13 from noon to 3 p.m. Learn more about 555 Lee Road by visiting LongandFoster.com or viewing our photo gallery here. To view the property video, click here. You can also get more details on the property on Diemer’s website. For more information about Long & Foster, visit www.LongandFoster.com.