An aerial view of Kilmarnock. Click to enlarge.
Kilmarnock is the name of a historical home never before offered on the open market as only three families have owned it since 1870. It is on the site of the Civil War Battle Above the Clouds, on two acres and surrounded by the National Park Service.
Its history is synonymous with Chattanooga’s history as Chief Justice John Marshall, Jimmie Carter, John Roy Baylor and Senator Bob Corker have been visitors.
The style of the home is described as Italian Farmhouse. It’s entire stone façade came from what we now call Eagles’ Nest below Ruby Falls which was the Cravens stone quarry. A park ranger said it was built for Jessie Lincoln a cousin of Abraham Lincoln who was in business with John Craven before and after the Civil War, but he and Cravens fell out with one another. Craven’s oldest son then bought it.
Others say Cravens and his son built it from substantial profits made when they resold a number of mules and buggies bought from the Union forces after the civil War.
It is in stark contrast to the present Cravens House with it low ceilings in that Kilmarnock has very high ceilings, large, six foot windows, balloon framing, and gorgeous trim work though-out the interior of the home – all closer resembling the Victorian era of construction.
The estate with its pool, two acres, two guest houses, garage and unique history is offered for sale to the public for the first time ever in its 140 year history.
It’s now updated with new baths, a new furniture quality custom kitchen containing Bosch, Dacor, Sub Zero and granite. The playroom is heated herringbone patterned brick, the den is adjacent to the kitchen and there are eight working fireplaces.
The main house has three or four bedrooms, three and one-half baths and two central heat/air units. The his and hers master closets are 300± square feet. The outbuildings each contain a bath, one has a kitchenette and bedroom.
The entrance hall is 27’ with a handsome staircase, corner fireplace/sitting area and original porthole window from an 1870 ship – perhaps from the Civil War. The living room/parlor has a rare gold plated, converted gas chandelier from the west coast that was a gift to the second owner of the house. Its mate is in the Smithsonian Institute in D.C.
The formal dining room is one of the prettiest in Chattanooga. It is trimmed and painted like one in the New Orleans French Quarter with a huge pediment capped corner China cabinet.
The house is zoned for the best rated public elementary school in Tennessee, Lookout Mountain Elementary, and a focal point of the Cravens Colony settlement near Craven’s House and riding/hiking/biking trails of the National Park.
For more details, photos, virtual tour and floor plans, go to www.Walldorf.com or call Charlie Walldorf, owner/broker, at 821-3277.