MAPLE HILLS – A VIRGINIA COUNTRY ESTATE

Maple Hills is a 231-acre gated country estate near 50,000-acre Buggs Island Lake in Southside Virginia. This remarkable property includes two fine homes, a private seven-acre lake, a two-acre pond, and an extensive farming infrastructure.

ABOUT MAPLE HILLS

The estate provides unmatched privacy in a rural setting that features a seven-acre spring-fed lake—the centerpiece of a wonderland of Virginian meadows and diverse forest. The property is ideally situated for access to many recreational pursuits the region affords, including hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, kayaking, and boating on Buggs Island Lake. The region is notably renowned for its agriculture and equestrianism.

In addition to its scenic acreage, Maples Hills includes a country home, a large guest cottage, and many attendant farm buildings and workshops. Privately situated off Country Club Drive, the 5,500 sq. ft. +/- home is exquisitely designed with attention given to every detail. The 1,700 sq. ft. guest cottage will see visitors lodged in the height of Virginian hospitality.

Located one hour from Lynchburg, Va., and within two hours of Raleigh, Richmond, Roanoke, and Greensboro, N.C., the estate is ideally located for owners who are relocating or commuting. The property has taken years of intricate planning, many professionals to craft this amazing one-of-a-kind home and associated outbuildings. Using only the best ceramic tile, quartz, and cherry flooring, no detail has been left undone.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Southside Virginia country estate and equestrian property
• 231 deeded acres with a private seven-acre lake
• Located in Southside’s Mecklenburg County near Chase City
• 5,500 square foot +/- modern country estate home
• 1,700 square foot +/- guest cottage
• Mile-long private drive with $100,000 in paving improvements
• Some 100 sugar maples line the winding drive and Country Club Lane
• 122 acres in meadow are maintained for hay, fodder, and livestock
• 100 acres of diverse woodlands, a seven-acre lake, and a two-acre stocked pond
• Richmond, Raleigh, Roanoke, and Greensboro are within an easy two-hour drive
• A rich and diverse wildlife population is unrivaled in the region
• Fur-bearing wildlife includes deer, black bear, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, raccoon, fox, chipmunk, opossum
• Winged wildlife includes eagles, hawks, owls, ravens, turkeys, and neotropical songbirds
• Meadow grasses and forest trees produce rich oxygen and sequester carbon dioxide
• Gated private driveway winds through the estate grounds for nearly one mile
• Newly constructed 36-by-36 chef’s kitchen overlooks the lake and estate grounds
• New 50-by-80 open-span equipment storage & workshop building
• Miles of board fencing for equestrian use
• Farmland management increases carrying capacity and extends the grazing season
• Lake and pond accommodate swimming, ice skating, and wildlife observation
• Dynamic forest with some old growth trees estimated to be 200 to 300 years old
• Forests intertwine with meadows, creating exciting recreational opportunities
• Farm and forest roads wind through the property providing superior access
• Wildlife programs enhance habitat, increase diversity, promote wildlife health
• A rewarding permaculture lifestyle can be easily developed
• Superior access by state-maintained paved roads – FedEx, UPS, USPS delivery
• Cell phone coverage is excellent in most areas with 5G service
• Dark skies with low light pollution for astronomy and astrophotography
• Sedges, rushes, ferns, fish, frogs, turtles, songbirds, crawdads, butterflies, and dragonflies populate the lake, pond, and wetlands
• Timber species include pine, oak, poplar, maple, hickories, and black walnut
• Ideal for recreational activities that include watersports, shooting sports, ATV riding, horseback riding, hiking, camping, hunting, and wildlife viewing
• Low taxes, low population density
• The estate’s scenic and cultural values provide exceptional quality of life
• The cost of living in much of Southside is low compared to metropolitan areas

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 36.769311, -78.424601
Address: 3082 Country Club Drive, Chase City, VA 23924
Elevation Range: 416 ft. to 510 ft. +/-

• 5 minutes – Chase City
• 25 minutes – 50,000-acre Buggs Island Lake Recreation Area
• 30 minutes – I-85
• 90 minutes – Danville, Durham, Lynchburg, Martinsville
• 2 hours – Richmond, Greensboro, Raleigh, Charlottesville
• 3 hours – Washington DC, Virginia Beach
• 7 hours – Atlanta

DIRECTIONS

Driving Destination Google Coordinates: 36.769112, -78.415163 to the driveway entrance

YOU MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A FOXFIRE REALTY AGENT TO TOUR THIS PROPERTY! 72 hours’ notice and confirmed appointment scheduling with listing office are required!

From Chase City, VA:  3.7 miles (approximately 5 minutes)

From the Maxway Plaza Center on Rt. 47 on the east side of Chase City, travel Rt. 47 east for 7/10 mile; just before the Mecklenburg Country Club Golf Course, turn right onto State Route 671; travel Rt. 671 for 3.1 miles; the driveway entrance is on the right.

From I-85 South Hill Chase City Exit 12B:  24.7 miles (approximately 30 minutes)

At the end of the exit ramp, turn onto Rt. 58 West, travel Rt. 58 west for 16.7 miles; turn right onto Rt. 92 West; travel Rt. 92 west for 5.1 miles; turn right onto Rt. 679; travel Rt. 679 for 2.7 miles; turn left onto State Route 671; travel Rt. 671 for 2/10 mile; the driveway entrance is on the left.

20 minutes to Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Lake)

5 minutes to Chase City, VA

THE SOUTHSIDE VIRGINIA REGION

Mecklenburg County is part of the mostly agricultural region known as Southside Virginia. The cost of living in much of the region is low compared to most metropolitan areas. The region stretches from the James River south to the border of North Carolina and extends as far east as Isle-of-Wight and Southampton counties and as far west as the foothills of the Blue Ridge.

It’s historically a chief center for tobacco farming, and its southeastern section is known for its cotton and peanut cultivation. The 20th century brought the addition of the textile and furniture industries in the areas surrounding nearby Danville and Martinsville.

The estate is within a two-hour commute to Roanoke, Richmond, Raleigh-Durham, and Greensboro, N.C. The area in general is witnessing an influx of young families, commuting professionals, early retirees, and baby boomers, all of who have discovered the countryside and the uncrowded lifestyle of Mecklenburg County. Entrepreneurs and “gentleperson farmers” are looking for estate properties for agricultural, equestrian purposes, and for private use.

The area is notably popular with new residents from Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., and North Carolina who are drawn by the mild four-season climate and access to the area’s surrounding rivers and lakes. Its recreational features represent a significant and relatively untapped draw for the future, particularly with regard to tourism and property-value appreciation.

As with most areas of rural Virginia, the land is relatively inexpensive as compared with more northern and densely populated regions of the state, and this has fueled development. Members of the local workforce can easily commute to other regions in Virginia and North Carolina while still enjoying the rural and scenic nature of their home area. Maple Hills is located just 15 minutes north of Boydton, the Mecklenburg county seat.

BUGGS ISLAND LAKE (20 minutes from Maple Hills)

Buggs Island Lake covers 50,000 acres and includes more than 850 miles of shoreline. It is a popular destination for fishing and recreation known for its abundance of large-mouth bass, striped bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and white perch. Camping is a popular in the surrounding recreation area, and many tent and RV campsites line the shore. Jet-skiing, water-tubing, recreational motor boating, and sailing are popular, and four privately operated marinas provide rental slips for sail and motorboats and include fuel docks and other amenities.

Located along the border of North Carolina and Virginia, the lake is the largest reservoir in Virginia and one of the largest in the southeastern U.S. It is an impoundment of the Roanoke River, also called the Staunton River in Virginia.

CHASE CITY

The largest city in the region, Chase City, formerly known as Christiansville, is the chief community in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. For generations, it was the largest and most prosperous town in the county. Located in rural southern Virginia, only two hours from Richmond and Raleigh-Durham, the area enjoys fout distinct seasons, none of which are extreme.

The town includes four banks, one major grocery store, and two drug stores. Its quaint Main Street boasts several eating establishments, specialty shops, and stores for casual shopping. Garden clubs and fraternal organizations contribute to the enjoyable quality of life in Chase City, as does the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Archaeological Society of Virginia, the Virginia Historical Society, and the Friends of the Library.

Chase City provides country living with small-town amenities. Housing is available for the executive lifestyle as well as the average employee with architecture ranging from modern to Colonial to Cape Cod and including multifamily rentals as well as exclusive subdivisions.

Its downtown also has a Community Pavilion which hosts a farmer’s market, various civic organization functions, concerts, meetings, and other community functions.

HIGHLIGHTS – COUNTRY ESTATE HOME

• Address 3082 Country Club Drive, Chase City, VA
• 5,500 sqft +/-
• Home built in 2003
• 36’ x 36’ “Chef’s Kitchen” added in 2019
• 5 bedrooms and 2 spacious lofts with vaulted ceilings
• 3 full bathrooms
• Back to back wood burning stacked stone fireplace with 22 feet interior height – stone surround both interior and exterior
• 7-inch-wide solid American cherry flooring with wooden pegs
• Knotty pine interior walls
• Custom-built rafters with iron hardware
• Spacious lofts on each side of the great room
• 130-year-old 8’ x 3’ walnut- live edge slab bar top
• Wet bar has sink, Kalamera stainless wine cooler, stainless ice maker
• Ample storage throughout the home
• Total of 10 closets in the home
• Windows replaced in 2018
• Private but not remote
• 33’ x 37’ Great Room with vaulted ceiling
• Numerous entryways throughout; two bedrooms have private entrances
• Oversized 28’ x 28’ attached garage conveniently located
• Covered patio porch with lake view on the master bedroom suite
• Spotlight type LED lighting in the great room
• Large display area on loft fronts
• “Ribbon pane” doors between great room and kitchen
• 10 closets
• Custom arts-and-crafts influenced oversized front door, extra heavy
• State Select 50-gallon model ES65200RTW water heater
• New board-and-batten vinyl siding with a wind rating of 200 mph,
• Metal roof
• Pella windows recently installed
• LG 66 diagonal inch Television
• Underground 1000-gallon propane tank
• Modern certified survey plat by Crutchfield and Associates, Inc. dated April 12, 2001
• $100,000 improvement – paving and seal-coating of the private driveway

NEW CHEF’S KITCHEN

• 36’ x 36’ custom built in 2019 by one of the area’s leading builders, Brankley Construction
• Excellent views overlooking the lake and surrounding estate grounds
• “Cedar Shake” siding by Vinyl Shake
• 10’ ceiling height
• Exotic Brazilian tigerwood flooring
• Hand-carved ceiling panel Mandela from Indonesia
• Custom made Maple cabinets with soft close feature
• One-piece quartz Island top 5’ x 10’.2”
• Matching quartz countertop
• “Paragon Stairs” spiral metal staircase provides access to the lower level and outdoor patio
• Spacious 7’ x 13’ walk-in pantry with restaurant type Uline metal shelving
• Glacier Bay stainless steel kitchen sink
• Wolf stainless steel commercial gas range, 6 eyes with griddle
• Wolf stainless steel model PW602418 range ventilation hood
• Wolf stainless steel “speed oven”
• Wolf stainless steel double ovens with confection and bake modes
• Wolf stainless steel model SP030TE/S/TH microwave oven
• Nemco stainless Steam O Matic countertop steamer
• Sub Zero stainless under island ice maker with
• Whirlpool commercial home series stainless extra-wide steel double door refrigerator
• Cove stainless dishwasher
• Edgestar model OIM450SS stainless under island ice maker under the live edge bar
• Three handcrafted chandeliers fashioned entirely of steel by Avalanche Ranch Lighting in the Pine Branch & Cone Design.
• Dalian Industries P-TAC heating and cooling systems installed in both the kitchen and lower level

HVAC

• Lower Level has a new mini-split P-TAC heating and cooling system by Daikin Industries
• The main house has a Trane XR 4-ton heat pump model 4TWR7060A1000CA MFR date 12/2016 and Trane XR 12 2-ton, model 2TWR2036A100AB heat pump MFR date 10/2003
• The kitchen has a new mini-split P-TAC heating and cooling system by Daikin Industries

LOWER LEVEL

• 6 x 34.5 Superior Walls with insulation and studs
• 36 x 50 lower-level patio with Stamp Crete 5-inch-thick concrete, retainer walls are well-engineered and soundly built
• Mini-split P-TAC heating and cooling system by Daikin Industries

WELL & SEPTIC

• Private well drilled in June of 2005, 35 feet of casing, 8 gallons per minute. Depth is estimated at 300 feet
• Private high-tech Multi-Flo model FTB05 pump septic system with 1000-gallon concrete tank (tank pumped December 2020)

THE COUNTRY HOME DIMENSIONS

• 5,500 sq. ft. +/-
• Great Room 37.1 x 33 with loft on each side
• Great Room Closet 3.6 x 3
• Loft #1 15. 8 x 16
• Loft #2 (on the garage side of the home) 15.6 x 16.2
• Unfinished Attic 28.4 x 18
• Kitchen 36 x 36
• Pantry 7 x 13
• Front Foyer 6.7 x 8.10

Southern section of the home

• Hallway towards Garage 16.5 x 3.8
• Closet on the right of hallway 5.1 x 4
• Utility closet on left of hallway 5.2 x 4.9
• Hallway 11.7 x 3.7
• Full bathroom 8.9 x 8.7
• Side hallway linen closet 2.7 x 2.2
• Utility room with washer and dryer 5.4 x 8.9
• Guest bedroom one 14.8 x 12.1
• Guest bedroom two 18.8 x 12.1
• Garage (interior) 22.4 x 23.5

Northern section of the home

• Guest bedroom three 11.7 x 12 offset 3.2 x 5.6
• Closet 8.6 x 4.7
• Hallway 13.6 x 3.8
• Side hallway 14.4 x 3.9
• Full bathroom 8.5 x 8.8
• Closet 14.8 x 11.7
• Master bedroom 17.1 x 23.4 (ceiling height 16.8)
• Master bathroom 12.9 x 14
• Left side closet 5.4 x 7.6
• Right side closet 4.7 x 7.6

EXTERIOR PATIOS AND PORCHES

• Fireplace patio 56 x 55
• Garage side porch 56 x 55
• Entrance porch 5.3 x 5.6
• Lake view patio 36 x 50
• Master bedroom patio, lake view 9 ft. 5 x 16 ft.

ATTACHED GARAGE

• Light-filled oversized 28’ x 28’ attached garage
• Conveniently located with multiple entryways
• Offers direct access to the home’s main living area
• Lift Master electric roll-up garage door
• Front interior wall recently finished with solid knotty pine
• The concrete floor has multiple coats of gloss epoxy finish.
• Ample space for storage of refrigerators, freezers a miscellaneous household items
• Extensive wall shelving for storage of tools, paints, etc.
• Double doors access the covered side porch and home front door

ALL-PURPOSE METAL BUILDING

• 50’ x 80’ offers 4,000 sq. ft. under roof
• New construction in 2018
• Heritage steel building, installed by Lewis Welding from Victoria, VA
• Open Span for maximum space
• 5-inch-thick concrete floor
• New epoxy painted floor
• Interior insulated and paneled walls
• 9-foot center ceiling height
• RAB interior LED lighting
• Separate electric meter
• Exterior front lighting
• 2 front widows, 2 windows in back
• Censored front entrance door
• Current electric bills approx. $17-20 monthly
• Double electric lift rollup doors 12 tall x 16 feet wide
• Exterior front of building apron 22 feet x 80 feet
• 200-amp electric service with numerous open add-ons for additional breakers
• 3 existing 220 receptacles
• Receptacles every five feet, GFI
• Like new air Emax air compressor with approx. 1 hour run time
• Air compressor plumbed with 120 feet of pipe in with regulators every 20 feet
• Air compressor capacity 150 lbs. (capable of filling tractor or big truck tires)

THE GUEST COTTAGE

The Guest Cottage fronts Country Club Drive near the entrance to the estate. This well-constructed, low maintenance, 1,712 sq. ft. +/- home is very nice and has many updates. The cottage is surrounded by ancient trees and is nicely landscaped.

The cottage is suitable for year-round living and would make an excellent caretaker’s residence.

GUEST COTTAGE HIGHLIGHTS

• Address 3072 Country Club Drive, Chase City, VA
• Easy access fronting Country Club Drive, a four-season county-maintained road
• 1712 sq. ft. +/-
• 4 bedrooms
• 5 bathrooms
• Tongue & Groove Solid Oak and Heart Pine flooring
• Vinyl siding
• Metal roof
• Central heat and air
• Large kitchen
• Nice kitchen cabinets
• Large utility room with washer and dryer, plus a laundry sink
• Big family/living room
• Large master bathroom
• Ceiling fans
• Ample storage
• Large covered deck and patio
• New Frigidaire Eventemp side by side refrigerator with ice dispenser
• New Amana electric range
• Stainless front Kenmore dishwasher
• Stainless front Kenmore under cabinet microwave oven
• New Trane XR 5-ton, model 4TTR4042L1000AA dual fuel HVAC System new air handler and ducts to the system, MFR date 8/2020 (installed by Steele Mechanical)
• Updated wiring with 200-amp breaker box
• Recessed lighting in the master bedroom
• Crawl space
• Mature landscaping, nice lawn, board fencing
• Private well drilled in 2013 by Hensley Well Drilling and Pump Service, approx. 305-foot depth, 105 feet of casing, static level 3, 10 gallons per minute, the pump is at 300 feet
• Private septic

LAKE AND POND INFORMATION

• A private 7-acre spring-fed lake
• A private 2-acre spring-fed pond
• Ideal for water sports including swimming, canoeing, kayaking, wind-surfing, and fishing. Stocked with largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, grass carp
• Lake dock depth is approximately 14 feet
• Lake depth near spillway estimated 20 feet

AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

The estate includes roughly 103 acres of level to gently rolling pasture including two smaller fields and a larger field near its center. The fields have traditionally been used for hay production and livestock grazing. The well-maintained grasslands also conserve water and filter out manure and nutrients, preventing them from entering nearby bodies of water, thus protecting water quality and human and animal health.

The fields are very suitable for growing corn, soybeans, pumpkins, flowers, and hemp. The rich soil will also produce garden vegetables in abundance.

Fruit and persimmon trees are scattered about, some of which were part of an early homestead. Crops of black walnuts and hickory nuts are produced each year. Honeybees do well here, and it would be possible to produce maple syrup from trees growing on the property.

OUTBUILDINGS AND FARM STRUCTURES

• New 50 x 80 open span metal machine storage & workshop building
• Stable 35.8 x 22.10 with covered lean-to front (center tack room 12.5 x 12.3)
• Red wooden 14.4 x 63 outbuilding with lean-to
• Lean-to 16.6 x 63
• 10 x 20 Red wooden chicken house with electric
• Miles of board fencing
• 2-acre stocked pond will support aquaculture
• 7-acre spring-fed stocked lake will support aquaculture

FOREST & TIMBER RESOURCES

The estate’s forest, which includes nearly 100 acres, consists largely of well-drained upland terrain dominated by natural hardwood species. Planted and natural Loblolly pine complement the natural hardwood species. Species composition is highly desirable and favors yellow poplar, loblolly pine, hickory, red oak, white oak, and maples.

The timber resource is comprised of high-quality eastern hardwoods and pine. This well-managed forest will provide a great deal of flexibility in terms of potential harvest revenue and can be managed to provide cash flow opportunities to offset holding costs and long-term asset appreciation.

The property is divided into five primary stand types:

1. Mature Pine: excellent quality
2. Young Pine: well stocked
3. Young Cove Hardwoods and Pine Mix: well-stocked naturally regenerated hardwoods and pine
4. Mature Cove Hardwoods: 80-120-year old quality mixed hardwoods
5. Wildlife openings: open supported by clovers, legumes & various wildlife mixes

Stocking, Stem Quality, and Forest Structure:

Forest-wide, most stands are fully stocked to overstocked, providing a great deal of flexibility in silvicultural legacy. Stem quality may be considered excellent, and the forest is an abundant current and future sawlog source.

The forest’s timber component has been well managed over the years. Portions were thinned as prudent management called for. The forest could benefit from thinnings, which would generate some income and improve forest health. Parts have matured into higher-value sawtimber diameter classes with an abundant growing stock already in place for the future.

Diameters are well represented across the commercial and pre-commercial spectrum with a notable mature size class, as well as abundant pole size timber and growing stock.

Several “heritage trees” are scattered throughout, include some more than 150 years old that have withstood ice, wind, lightning strikes and fire.

The forest is healthy, and there are no current signs of pest infestations.  The Emerald Ash Borer is present, and it is anticipated that the Ash component will decline over the next decade. There have been no forest fires in recent memory.

The forest floor is home to several types of mushrooms, medicinal plants, ferns, and cool green mosses. One could spend a lifetime getting to know this inviting environment.

Beechnuts, Hickory nuts, and sweet White and Red oak acorns provide a sustainable food source for the squirrels, chipmunks, whitetail deer, and wild turkey that live in abundance in the forest.

WILDLIFE

Years of progressive wildlife management practices have created an ideal wildlife preserve. Early on, management goals promoted overall wildlife health that facilitated the harvest of game, developed wildlife-viewing areas, and increased carrying capacity and species diversity.

The lake and pond are major contributors to the richness and diversity of the local ecosystem for both plants and animals. The lake and the surrounding aquatic plant life create a water-supported community with a wide variety of wildlife. Some of the margins of the pond are fringed by wetlands. These support the aquatic food web, provide shelter for wildlife, and stabilize the shore of the pond and banks downstream. The plant life associated with the wetland includes rushes, sedges, cattails, duckweed, and algae.

Many animals that live year-round and at other times in the water and around the edges of the lake and the pond. These include raccoons, opossums, blue herons, Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards, minnows, native fish, turtles, salamanders, newts, crayfish, bullfrogs, eagles, hawks, and redwing blackbirds.

The insect and microscopic species including butterflies, dragonflies, pond skaters, water beetles, damselflies, tadpoles, and various insect larvae.

The diverse tree species, coupled with the abundant water supply, create an ideal wildlife habitat. The edge effect created between lake, forest, farm fields, hollows, and ridges, benefit all the resident wildlife. Bald eagles, red tail hawks, whitetail deer, black bear, wild turkey, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, raccoon, fox, and many species of songbirds, owls, and raptors make up the resident wildlife population. Canada geese will visit the estate during annual migration and hatching and raising their chicks.

The forest, growing both hardwoods and softwoods, provides the essential nutrient source and produces hard mast, including acorns, hickory nuts, beechnuts, and black walnuts. Soft mast includes stag horn sumac, black cherry, tulip poplar seeds, maple seeds, autumn olive berries, and blackberries.

WATER FEATURES

The Maple Hills Estate features a stunning spring-fed, seven-acre lake and a two-acre stocked fishing pond. Both brim with fish, turtles, frogs, and aquatic birds and insects. The southwestern property boundary follows about 3/10 miles of a blue line stream, and an additional 2/10 mile of that same blueline stream that lies within the estate. The stream is supported by a half-mile of dashed blueline streams within the property that will have water flow during rainfall or snowmelt. Nearly all the streams lie under the woodland canopy that helps support cool water temperatures.

CARBON SEQUESTRATION

The 231 acres of forest and farmland is a tremendous producer of rich oxygen. The vigorously growing forest and farmland grasses are sequestering thousands of tons of carbon dioxide each year and producing tons of oxygen.

FOREST FARMING

The most common crops found in the forest are medicinal herbs and mushrooms. Other crops that can be produced include shade-loving native ornamentals, moss, fruit, nuts, other food crops, and decorative materials for crafts. These crops are often referred to as special forest products.

• Medicinal herbs: Ginseng, goldenseal, black cohosh, bloodroot, passionflower, and mayapple
• Mushrooms: Shiitake and oyster mushrooms
• Native ornamentals: Rhododendrons and dogwood
• Moss: Log or sheet moss
• Fruit: Pawpaws, currants, elderberries, and lowbush blueberries
• Nuts: Black walnuts, hazelnuts, hickory nuts, and beechnuts
• Other food crops: Ramps (wild leeks), maple syrup, and honey
• Plants used for decorative purposes, dyes, and crafts: Galax, princess pine, white oak, pussy willow branches in the sinking, holly, bittersweet, and bloodroot and ground pine (Lycopodium)

DYNAMIC WETLANDS

In earlier times, before the environmental value of wetlands was discovered, the estate’s small but dynamic wetland was more commonly called a “swamp.” This enchanting area is biologically rich and diverse, akin to large swamps found in the Florida Everglades. The small-but-mighty wetland works to provide clean air and water and accomodate hunting and recreation. Visitors should watch for deer, squirrels, raccoons, and turkeys while exploring for butterflies, turtles, frogs, crawdads, songbirds, salamanders, newts, and a host of other aquatic invertebrates, migratory birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Wetlands are a very productive part of the environment—more vegitatively productive than some agricultural soils. This vegetation notably shelters and feeds many wildlife species that cannot survive elsewhere. Almost 35 percent of all rare and endangered species depend on wetlands. Common wetland species provide enjoyment to many by serving educational, research, and recreational needs.

Waterfowl and furbearers such as beaver, mink, and muskrat provide both consumptive and non-consumptive recreation and are dependent on wetlands. Many fringe wetlands provide the food that young fish need to survive. By slowing the flow of water, wetlands help keep banks from eroding and trap and settle suspended silt before it smothers fish eggs and animals that fish eat.

Wetlands also add visual diversity. An estate trail that skirts and crosses the wetlands offers an opportunity to see many different plant and wildlife species found nowhere else on the property. The wetlands habitat walk is a relaxing and rewarding experience.

SELF-SUSTAINING LIFE OFF-THE-GRID

As it had been 300 years ago when the area was settled, the property can be self-sustaining in times of necessity, even without electricity. This self-sustaining way of life is known today as “permaculture.” Freshwater for drinking and cooking would come from springs and the drilled water wells.

The lake, pond, creeks, and forest would provide fresh food—fish, crawdads, frog legs, deer, and turkey. The agricultural land’s flat to rolling topography would be used to raise chickens, pigs, cows, sheep, goats, rabbits and could be farmed with horse-drawn equipment.

The land would support vegetable gardens, berry patches, fruit orchards, and row crops of corn, oats, and barley. Beehives would provide honey and beeswax for candles. The forest would provide firewood for heating and cooking, lumber for building, basket splints, maple syrup, and pounds of walnuts, beechnuts, and hickory nuts.

BUTTERFLIES

Maple Hills is an excellent habitat for butterflies, especially the monarch. The monarch is highly dependent on the milkweed plant and will return to areas rich in milkweed to lay their eggs. The milkweed on which they feed as a caterpillar is a toxin stored in their bodies that makes the butterfly taste terrible to predators. Their bright orange wings thus serve is a warning.

In one of the world’s astounding natural animal events each fall, tens of millions of monarch butterflies migrate as much as 3,000 miles from the northeast U.S. and Canada to their wintering grounds in central Mexico. They use air currents and thermals to travel such incredible distances.

Other butterflies that visit Maple Hills include eastern tiger and spicebush swallowtails, silver-spotted skippers, and a variety of sulphurs and whites. Another interesting insect to visit the property is the Black Saddlebag Dragonfly, a regular guest of the lake and wetlands, with all the frogs, fish and turtles.

RECREATION AT MAPLE HILLS

Maple Hills offers unmatched recreational opportunities.

Nature viewing is first in a line of recreational activities. Wildlife management has been geared not only to game animals but to increasing the number and diversity of species including neo-tropical songbirds, butterflies, turtles, frogs, rabbits, chipmunks, dragonflies, owls, eagles, and hawks.

Star-gazing and astrophotography are unparalleled here. Nearly complete darkness can still be found on most areas of the property, thereby affording the opportunity to view and enjoy the night sky in all its brilliant wonder.

Watersports enthusiasts will find the lake and pond ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and windsurfing.

Mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking are easily accommodated here among the gentle swells through the fields, forests, and wetlands.

Shooting-sports devotees will find all the land and privacy needed to enjoy paintball, laser tag, and archery, shotgun sport shooting including skeet, trap, double-trap, and sporting clays, rifle and handgun shooting: bullseye, silhouette, western, bench rest, long-range, fast draw, archery and crossbow competition shooting, and plain ol’ plinking with grandpa’s old 22 single-shot rifle and a few tin cans.

All-Terrain motorsports are accommodated on trails perfect for experiencing the property from an ATV or UTV. These exciting machines handle a wide variety of terrain. Dirt bikes can also come in all sizes and horsepowers.

Hunting on the estate is a first-class experience. Whitetail deer, black bear, red and gray fox, bobcat, wild turkey, grouse, duck, squirrel, raccoon, fox, and rabbit are among the resident wildlife population. It’s hard to find a property that has a better mix of wildlife.

MINERAL RESOURCES

All rights in title will convey with the property.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

A modern certified survey field survey was conducted by Crutchfield & Associates, dated April 12, 2001. A survey plat is available.

A portion of the southwestern boundary is Butcher Creek.  A portion of the eastern property boundary is state road frontage. The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

UTILITIES

Water: Private well
Sewer: Private Septic
Electricity: In Place
Telephone: Frontier is available
Internet: Current owner uses a cellular hotspot
Cellphone Coverage: Good with 4G or 5 G

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The property includes a quarter mile of frontage on routes 671 and 679. The private driveway that serves the main home is gated and travels into the property for nearly one mile, attaching to other access travel ways within the property. Forest trails provide access to nearly every corner of the estate.

ZONING

Mecklenburg County has adopted uniform zoning regulations that govern land use in the county. The subject property is zoned Agriculture-1, general uses. This district covers the unincorporated portions of the County which contain the most productive agricultural and forest lands. This district was established to protect existing and future farming operations, to conserve water, protect the watershed, and prevent the encroachment of incompatible land uses while allowing development to occur at a reasonable density.

The district is intended to minimize the demand for unanticipated public improvements and services, such as public water and sewer, by reducing development densities and discouraging large-scale development. All prospective buyers should consult the County Government and the Health Department for any changes and details regarding zoning, building codes, and installation of water wells and septic systems.

PROPERTY TYPE & USE SUMMARY

The 231-acre property is comprised of some 122 acres of agricultural fields, a seven-acre lake, a two-acre pond, and about 98 acres in forest and woodland of various sized stands scattered throughout the property.

Agriculture, Wildlife Habitat, Timber Investment, Private Residential, and Recreation are the primary uses of the property.

The Main Home is permanently occupied by the owner. The Guest Cottage is at times occupied by friends of the owner, family, and their guests and caretaker.

(This summary is an estimation of current property use as determined from aerial photography.  It is made subject to the estimation of property boundaries and any errors in the interpretation of land use type from the aerial photography utilized.)

DEED and TAX INFORMATION

QUALITY OF TITLE – A recent title search has been conducted by an attorney and the title opinion is on file for review

Deed Information: LR-18-513
Mecklenburg County, Virginia
Acreage: 231.10 acres +/- by survey

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:
Mecklenburg County, Virginia
Tax Parcels 52-3-1,2,3B,4,5

2021 Real Estate Taxes: $5198.00

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Mecklenburg County School District

Public Elementary School:
Clarksville Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Bluestone Middle School

Public High School:
Bluestone High School