"The Reserve House" Early 1800's John Ellicott Home $1

Yowza!!!!! Talk about a cool challenge for someone who loves old homes and has a great vision but not a lot of money. This is the opportunity for you! The Reserve House consists is a small two-story stone structure on a hill overlooking the Patapsco River. It was constructed in the early 19th century by John Ellicott, Jr., one of the Ellicott brothers who founded the mills at Ellicott City, Maryland. The dwelling is significant because it is a prime example of mill worker housing that was common in the area when Ellicott City was a major industrial center. Right now it has 2 bedrooms and with 1200 square feet of space. The wild thing about it its that it is being offered as part of The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Resident- Curatorship Program, which secures private funding and labor for the restoration and maintenance of historic properties owned by the State. Curators, who can be individuals or organizations, pledge to restore the historic property according to historic preservation standards and at no cost to the state, and agree to maintain it in good condition in exchange for a lifetime lease for $1 per year. Yeah that's right -- a buck a year! The program generally requires curatorship proposals to represent about $150,000-200,000 worth of improvements to the property, which must be completed in about five years. I don't know what happens when you want to move in terms of your "investment" but somebody who planned to stay in it for a long time --( or perhaps have a child or grandchild take over the$1 lease) could create a SPECTACULAR home with a fabulous view within reasonable walking distance of downtown Ellicott City. This property is located in Baltimore County, secluded location WITHIN the Patapsco Valley State Park, at 16 River Road, Ellicott City, Maryland 21043. I'd love for one of my fellow Historic House Porn lovers to take this on, so I'm posting the contact info. DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!!!!!!!

Contact: John-Bruce C. Alexander, Manager of Curatorships & Cultural Resources
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Tawes State Office, Building, E-4, 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis, MD 21401
410-260-8457
balexander@dnr.state.md.us
www.dnr.state.md.us/land/rcs/index.asp
The Reserve House