Situated in a charming historic neighborhood on the border of Virginia and North Carolina, this old cottage, with its antebellum charm, has been vacant for quite some time. However, there’s hope for a revival as a new owner has come forward to restore and breathe life back into this home.
Milton, NC, the town where this cottage is located, has a rich history dating back to the early 1700s when trade routes connected natives and new settlers. Established in 1720 and officially incorporated in 1796, Milton thrived during the 1800s, becoming a bustling commercial center and a crucial economic hub for tobacco farmers in the nearby countryside. Its strategic location on the border with Virginia and its close proximity to the Dan River provided easy access to markets and goods for both farmers and those contributing to the town’s development during that time.
In the early 1800s, Milton saw the establishment of its first county newspaper, a hotel, various shops, a state bank, and a tavern that opened its doors in 1818. By 1857, the town boasted 5 tobacco factories and 13 tobacco warehouses. The tavern, situated in Milton’s commercial district, doubled as a cabinet shop and furniture manufacturing site where the renowned craftsman THOMAS DAY, a free black man, set up shop. From this location, he crafted numerous pieces of woodwork and furniture for the impressive homes in the area. Even today, a visit to Milton allows you to immerse yourself in the old-town charm of an antebellum boomtown. The commercial district features a block of Victorian row stores built in the 1880s, considered one of the best-preserved examples of its kind in North Carolina.
The main section of the house follows a central hall plan, featuring sizable rooms on either side, with the kitchen situated at the back of the home. The Greek Revival cottage has a raised basement, with brick on the lower level and wood on the upper level. Its front is characterized by a two-story, three-bay porch, with the main entrance on the second floor.
In 1950, the house was acquired by Hunter and Annie Brandon, a shop owner and school teacher, who carried out updates to the property. Unfortunately, in 1964, Hunter passed away, but Annie continued to reside in the house until her own passing in 2000.
In 2000, the Gordon House changed hands, but the unfortunate twist was that the new owner was absent most of the time, leading to several years of neglect for the property. Recently, Preservation North Carolina stepped in to acquire the house with the aim of finding a dedicated new owner who could breathe life back into the residence. Fortunately, in June 2022, a new owner successfully closed the deal on the property.
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