Priced at just $69,900, this remarkable historic residence presents a rare opportunity for buyers who appreciate architectural character, historic homes, and ambitious restoration projects. Offering approximately 3,344 square feet of living space, this impressive 7-bedroom, 3-bathroom Greek Revival home spans three stories and is filled with original character, historic details, and tremendous potential.
Known historically as the Dowd House Mansion, the property carries a fascinating local history. According to the listing and the Salamanca Historical Society, the home was associated with Judge Dowd, who reportedly hosted several notable political figures, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt. The listing states that the Roosevelts actually stayed overnight at the property.
The home is also described as having an important place in local history because, according to the listing, it became the first house in the community to have a bathtub in 1886. These details give the property a story that goes far beyond its physical structure.
Today, the residence is being offered as a restoration opportunity. It requires cosmetic updating and additional work, but the listing notes that the home appears to retain solid bones. Important improvements have already begun, including updated plumbing and a renovated third-floor efficiency apartment.
A Rare Historic Property with an Extraordinary Story
Historic homes often have architectural features that cannot easily be reproduced in modern construction, and this property is a particularly interesting example. The three-story residence was originally constructed in the late 19th century and features the classic character associated with the Greek Revival architectural style.
The scale of the home is immediately notable. With approximately 3,344 square feet spread across three levels, there is substantial interior space to work with. The property contains numerous rooms, multiple bedrooms, formal living and dining spaces, two kitchens, a foyer, a home office, laundry areas, and a full basement.
Rather than being a conventional small fixer-upper, this is a large historic residence with the potential to become a truly distinctive home once restoration work is completed.
Three Stories of Historic Character
The property’s three-story configuration gives it an impressive presence and provides a wide range of possibilities for future use.
The first floor contains the primary entrance foyer, formal living room, formal dining room, family room, kitchen, office, and a bedroom. The second level contains additional bedrooms and laundry space, while the third floor includes more bedrooms and a separate kitchen associated with the renovated efficiency apartment.
This multi-level layout creates the possibility of separating different functions throughout the home. A future owner could maintain traditional formal spaces on the first floor while using the upper levels for bedrooms, private living quarters, guests, or other purposes.
Grand Entrance Foyer
The home features an entrance foyer that provides an appropriate introduction to a residence of this scale and age.
A dedicated foyer is particularly valuable in a historic home because it creates a transition between the front entrance and the main living areas. With thoughtful restoration, this space could become one of the property’s most impressive interior features.
Natural woodwork and traditional architectural details throughout the home further contribute to the historic atmosphere.
Formal Living Room
The first floor includes a separate formal living room, providing a dedicated space for entertaining guests or enjoying quiet time away from the more casual areas of the home.
The property’s six fireplaces are among its most significant architectural features, and a historic residence with multiple fireplaces has considerable visual and atmospheric potential.
With appropriate restoration, the formal living room could become a centerpiece of the house, combining period character with updated furnishings and modern comfort.
Formal Dining Room
A separate formal dining room is also located on the first floor. The room provides an ideal setting for large family meals, holiday gatherings, dinner parties, or entertaining guests.
The size and overall layout of the home make a dedicated dining room particularly appropriate. Rather than combining every function into one open space, this historic residence retains the traditional room separation associated with older homes.
For someone restoring the property with respect for its history, the formal dining room could be maintained as one of the home’s defining spaces.
Family Room for Everyday Living
In addition to the formal living room, the property offers a separate family room. This gives the home a more relaxed living area that can be used for everyday activities.
The family room could accommodate comfortable seating, entertainment equipment, bookshelves, or other furnishings while the formal living room remains dedicated to more traditional entertaining.
This distinction between formal and casual spaces is one of the features that gives large historic residences their unique character.
Large Kitchen and Additional Third-Floor Kitchen
The main floor includes a dedicated kitchen, while the third floor also contains a second kitchen. The presence of two kitchens is an especially interesting feature for a property of this type.
The second kitchen is associated with the renovated third-floor efficiency apartment mentioned in the listing. This creates potential for a more independent living arrangement within the upper portion of the house.
Depending on local regulations and the property’s final configuration, the additional kitchen could be useful for extended family, guests, an in-law arrangement, or other purposes.
Renovated Third-Floor Efficiency Apartment
One of the most significant improvements already completed is the renovated third-floor efficiency apartment.
This space adds considerable flexibility to the property. Rather than having the entire third floor remain unused or unfinished, the renovated area provides an existing foundation for a separate living arrangement.
For a buyer interested in multigenerational living, guest accommodations, or a private area within the home, this feature could be particularly valuable.
Any independent occupancy or rental use should, of course, be verified against local zoning, building, and occupancy requirements.
Seven Bedrooms Provide Exceptional Flexibility
The property is listed with 7 bedrooms, making it significantly larger than the typical single-family residence.
The bedrooms are distributed across the three levels, with at least one bedroom located on the first floor and additional bedrooms on the second and third levels.
This arrangement provides numerous possibilities. A future owner could maintain traditional bedrooms for a large household, create dedicated guest rooms, or convert some rooms into offices, libraries, hobby spaces, studios, or other functional areas.
The main-level bedroom is especially convenient for guests or household members who prefer not to use stairs regularly.
Three Bathrooms
The residence includes 3 bathrooms, consisting of 2 full bathrooms and 1 half bathroom.
The availability of three bathrooms is an important advantage for a seven-bedroom home. Multiple bathrooms can make a large residence much more practical for families, guests, or potential multigenerational living arrangements.
As with the rest of the property, buyers should inspect the existing bathroom fixtures, plumbing, finishes, and systems and determine what additional restoration may be necessary.
Six Fireplaces Add Historic Atmosphere
Perhaps one of the most striking features of this property is the presence of six fireplaces.
Multiple fireplaces are a defining feature of many large historic residences and can contribute significantly to their architectural character. Even where fireplaces require restoration, their presence can add visual interest and help preserve the original identity of the house.
For a buyer passionate about historic architecture, these fireplaces could become major focal points throughout the home.
Any fireplace or chimney intended for use should be professionally inspected and evaluated before operation.
Natural Woodwork and Historic Interior Character
The listing specifically identifies natural woodwork as one of the home’s interior features. Original or historic woodwork can be one of the most valuable elements in a restoration project because it contributes authenticity that modern replacement materials cannot easily replicate.
Rather than removing every older detail, a thoughtful renovation could focus on restoring and preserving the elements that give the home its identity while upgrading areas that require modernization.
Hardwood and Varied Flooring
The home features a combination of hardwood, carpet, laminate, and other flooring materials. Some of the hardwood may offer an opportunity for restoration or refinishing, depending on its current condition.
Flooring is another area where a future owner can balance historic preservation with modern functionality. Restoring original wood where practical while replacing damaged or unsuitable materials could help create a cohesive finished interior.
Home Office
The property includes a dedicated home office, a feature that adds flexibility for modern living.
The office could remain a traditional workspace or be adapted into a library, study, creative studio, or additional private room depending on the owner’s needs.
The combination of an office, multiple bedrooms, formal living spaces, and additional family areas makes this residence capable of accommodating a wide range of lifestyles.
Full Basement
A full basement provides additional space beneath the home’s main levels. For a large historic residence, basement space can be particularly useful for mechanical equipment, storage, workshop activities, or future improvements.
The condition of the basement and foundation should be carefully evaluated as part of any restoration plan, especially given the age of the structure.
Stone Foundation
The home sits on a stone foundation, consistent with its historic construction.
The foundation is one of the most important components to evaluate when purchasing an older home. A professional inspection should assess the stonework, drainage, moisture levels, structural stability, and any areas that may require repair or reinforcement.
For an investor or restoration-minded buyer, understanding the foundation’s condition will be essential when establishing the overall renovation budget.
Historic Exterior Character
The property’s exterior reflects its Greek Revival roots while also showing the effects of its age. The home features wood siding and a traditional roof system listed as slate and tile.
The scale and proportions of the residence give it the appearance of a substantial historic property rather than a conventional modern home.
With exterior restoration, landscaping improvements, and carefully selected paint or siding treatments where appropriate, the residence could potentially regain much of the grandeur associated with its historic past.
Corner Lot with Open Outdoor Space
The property occupies approximately 0.51 acres on a rectangular corner lot. The lot provides enough outdoor space for landscaping, gardens, seating areas, and other residential uses while remaining manageable compared with larger rural properties.
The home also includes an open porch, creating another outdoor area that could be improved and furnished as part of a broader restoration project.
Public Water and Connected Sewer
Unlike some rural properties that rely on private wells and septic systems, this residence has public water and connected sewer service listed among its utilities.
Electricity is connected through a circuit-breaker system, while cable and high-speed internet are also listed as available.
These utility connections can simplify certain aspects of renovation and everyday ownership compared with properties requiring private wells or septic systems.
Electric Zoned Heating
The home’s heating system is listed as electric, zoned, and baseboard. Zoned heating can allow different areas of the residence to be controlled separately, which can be useful in a three-story house with numerous rooms.
The cooling system is also listed as zoned. Buyers should verify the current operation, age, efficiency, and condition of the heating and cooling equipment during inspection.
A Property with Multiple Possible Futures
The current listing presents several possible directions for the property. One option would be to restore it as a large private residence while preserving its historic character.
Another possibility could be creating a multigenerational home, using the separate third-floor efficiency apartment as a more independent living area.
The property could also potentially appeal to someone interested in a hospitality concept such as a bed and breakfast, as suggested by the listing. Any commercial, rental, or hospitality use would require verification of zoning, permits, building codes, licensing, and other applicable requirements.
A Rare Opportunity for Historic-Home Enthusiasts
Historic homes are increasingly difficult to find with this combination of size, architectural character, and documented local history.
This property is not simply a house that needs cosmetic improvements. It is a residence with a story. The association with Judge Dowd, the reported visits by Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, and the historic bathtub distinction described by the listing all contribute to its unusual character.
For a buyer who appreciates historic architecture, that history could be one of the property’s greatest assets.
Restoration Rather Than Simple Remodeling
A successful renovation of a property like this would ideally involve more than simply replacing everything with modern materials. The most rewarding approach may be to identify the historic features worth preserving and build the modernization around them.
Natural woodwork, fireplaces, hardwood flooring, the foyer, formal dining room, traditional room layout, and architectural details could potentially be preserved while kitchens, bathrooms, mechanical systems, lighting, and other components are updated.
This type of approach could allow the finished residence to feel both comfortable and authentic.
A Diamond in the Rough
The listing itself describes the property as a “diamond in the rough”, and that description captures the basic opportunity.
At $69,900, the purchase price is considerably lower than what might be expected for a large seven-bedroom historic residence. However, the low price also reflects the amount of work required.
The property should therefore be evaluated based on its full acquisition and renovation cost rather than the purchase price alone. Structural work, mechanical systems, electrical components, plumbing, roofing, interior finishes, kitchens, bathrooms, and exterior restoration may all need to be considered.
Important Considerations for Buyers
Prospective buyers should approach the property with a detailed inspection and realistic renovation budget. Because the house dates back to around the turn of the 20th century, its structure and systems should be carefully evaluated.
Important areas to investigate include the foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical system, heating and cooling, fireplaces and chimneys, windows, exterior siding, basement, drainage, and all bathroom and kitchen systems.
The buyer should also determine which historic features are original, which improvements have already been completed, and which areas still require restoration.
Potential for a One-of-a-Kind Residence
For someone with vision, this property could eventually become much more than a conventional home. The scale of the residence, three-story layout, historic architecture, multiple fireplaces, natural woodwork, formal rooms, and additional third-floor living space create the ingredients for an extraordinary restoration.
The finished property could retain the feeling of a grand historic residence while incorporating the comfort and functionality expected by a modern household.
What Makes This Property Stand Out
- $69,900 asking price
- 7 bedrooms
- 3 bathrooms
- 2 full bathrooms and 1 half bathroom
- Approximately 3,344 square feet
- Three-story historic residence
- Greek Revival architectural style
- Built around 1900, with the listing describing its origins as circa the 1880s
- Six fireplaces
- Natural woodwork
- Hardwood flooring
- Formal living room
- Formal dining room
- Separate family room
- Large entrance foyer
- Home office
- Main-level bedroom
- Second kitchen
- Renovated third-floor efficiency apartment
- Full basement
- Stone foundation
- Public water
- Connected sewer
- Electric zoned/baseboard heating
- Open porch
- Corner lot
- Updated plumbing
- Potential for restoration or alternative use
A Historic Home Waiting for Its Next Chapter
This property represents the type of opportunity that rarely comes along for buyers who love historic architecture. It offers substantial size, multiple bedrooms, multiple living areas, six fireplaces, natural woodwork, a formal layout, and a fascinating local history.
The home clearly requires investment and restoration, but major improvements have already started. The updated plumbing and renovated third-floor efficiency apartment give a future owner a foundation from which to continue the work.
The possibility of restoring the home to its original elegance is perhaps the most compelling aspect of the property. Instead of simply purchasing a finished house, the buyer has the opportunity to participate in the preservation and transformation of a historic residence.
Final Thoughts
At $69,900, this seven-bedroom, three-bath historic Greek Revival residence offers an unusual opportunity for someone with vision, patience, and a passion for restoration.
The approximately 3,344-square-foot home provides an impressive amount of space, while its three stories, six fireplaces, natural woodwork, formal rooms, second kitchen, full basement, and renovated third-floor efficiency apartment create an extraordinary amount of flexibility.
The property’s historical associations make it even more distinctive. According to the listing and local historical information cited by the seller, the residence was once associated with Judge Dowd and reportedly hosted Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Those stories give the home an identity that cannot be recreated through a modern renovation.
This is a property for someone who can look beyond its current condition and see what it could become. With thoughtful restoration, careful preservation of its historic details, and strategic modernization, this diamond in the rough could potentially become a truly remarkable private residence or another carefully planned use.
The next chapter of this historic home is waiting to be written by its new owner.