01/20/2004 - One of Loudoun County's most historic properties goes on the auction block Saturday, Jan. 24.

Bolington started out as a small log house, built around 1740 for Thomas, the sixth Lord Fairfax, as part of land agent William Fairfax's Piedmont manor on a sprawling 17,296 acres.

Now, it's a gracious, almost perfectly restored 23-room treasure on more than 10 acres in the Lovettsville area. For executives who can afford it, the auction provides the opportunity to live on an estate, part of which is older than the United States of America.

Or, it can be turned into a business, according to information supplied by Tranzon, the auction company that is handling the sale.

This "excellent private residence" has "substantial potential for use as a bed and breakfast, equestrian operation, retail antiques showroom or a rentable destination for special events such as weddings," the company says.

Bolington is on the National Register of Historic Places, a designation that carries with it some preservation restrictions.

Located at 13400 Berlin Turnpike, this brick and log manor house is a preservationist's delight.

The manor house started with the log house, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior, in a history of the house written last month by Waterford historian Eugene Scheel.

Added on to over the years, the first log section is now the kitchen, a family room and an upstairs bedroom.

"The brick sections of the home, its walls a foot thick, were added for Daniel Boland, probably in the 1830s or 1840s," Scheel wrote. "The brick addition at rear, separated from the main brick portion, was originally a kitchen wing with servants' quarters."

Original wood abounds. There are wide plank oak and chestnut floors, ceiling medallions and ornate dentil moldings.

Many of the door locks, latches and window panes date from the 19th century, according to Scheel's history.

The formal living and dining rooms look like they came from the pages of a history book.

The kitchen was restored eight years ago, using wood from the farm. The auction company says the kitchen could use a bit of upgrading.

The house has five bedrooms, four baths and seven fireplaces.

In addition, there is a wraparound porch from yesteryear and a hot tub!

There are separate living quarters for family members or staff.

The toll house at the entrance dates to 1850. Built by the Berlin Turnpike Co., it is one of four 19th-century toll houses still standing in Loudoun County.

After tolls came off the road in 1888, tenants lived in the house, which has the largest walk-in fireplace that Scheel said he has ever seen in such a structure.

The property includes a board and batten bank barn that dates to the early 19th century. Today, it has an 11-stall equestrian facility.

The barn's "lightning arrestors date from the 19th century," Scheel's report says.

It was restored by Quakers.

The house is surrounded by century-old trees and boxwoods.

Also on the land is a two-span reinforced concrete bridge, built across Broad Run in 1918.

The 19th-century springhouse was restored in 1994.

"It's where Daniel Boland (a former owner) cooled his brandy toddies before he dispensed them to Confederate soldiers," Scheel's writings point out.

There is also a creamery on the site.

Scheel calls some of these outbuildings the finest examples of this type of construction that he has seen.

The auction will be held at 1 p.m. at the estate.

The property is being sold as is. Closing must take place within 30 days.

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Home Vitals

Address: 13400 Berlin Turnpike

Community: Lovettsville

Age: 1740

Acreage: 10 plus

Manner of sale: Auction

Date: Saturday, Jan. 24

Time: 1 p.m.

Inspections: Friday, Saturday and Sunday before auction date from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For information: Gloria Lynn Gardner

Call: 703-338-4922

Directions: From Leesburg: Route 7 west to Route 9 west. Follow traffic light and turn right on Route 287/Berlin Turnpike. Go 5 miles, just past Milltown Creek. Property is on the right.

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Auction Advice

This will be what's known as a "reserve auction." That means the seller has given the auctioneer an acceptable price range, according to a spokesman for Tranzon, the company that will be handling the auction.

For terms and conditions of the sale, go to http://www.tranzon. com.

Potential bidders must show proof of a $25,000 bid requirement to register to bid.

The property will be sold "as is" with no contingencies.

©Times Community Newspapers 2004