Are you ready to enjoy this luxurious lake life? This is the lot for you! Draw up the plans for your dream home! All utilities are already on site!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
Build your dream home in sought after Lake of the Woods. Great location, a short walk to the beach, Sweetbriar pool and all the lake has to offer. Whether your passion is boating, water-skiing, kayaking, golfing, horseback riding, or simply taking in the breathtaking views from the clubhouse while enjoying a fabulous meal, from your own deck or yard, or from one of the beaches, you won’t be disappointed!
Interested in buying multiple lots?? The adjoining lot 1233 Lakeview Pkwy is available for sale too!!!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
Build your dream home in sought after Lake of the Woods. Great location, a short walk to the beach, Sweetbriar pool and all the lake has to offer. Whether your passion is boating, water-skiing, kayaking, golfing, horseback riding, or simply taking in the breathtaking views from the clubhouse while enjoying a fabulous meal, from your own deck or yard, or from one of the beaches, you won’t be disappointed!
Interested in buying multiple lots?? The adjoining lot 1231 Lakeview Pkwy is available for sale too!!!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
Initially, this series on History in Our Backyard
described how the Wilderness became the Wilderness. Now we will delve into the early inhabitants
who came to what would become known as “The Wilderness.” All things Wilderness
were synonymous with Alexander Spotswood, the colony’s Royal Lt Governor in the
early 1700s. He initiated the economic progress of the region through his
efforts to establish Germanna fort and an iron industry. One source states that
“there, thirty miles from the last outlying farms, the Germans set to work,
clearing a site on the riverbank and building a fortified town.” The same
source references the fort being supplied by pack-trains of mules and horses.
Exhibit 2 Germanna Fort
Those same pack-trains were instrumental in his 1716
venture into the mountains to the west. His band of adventure-seeking explorers
departed from the Germanna fort accompanied by animals laden with supplies
including a healthy supply of spirits. He later awarded each participant with a
golden horseshoe pin thereby identifying them as the “Knights of the Golden
Horseshoe” for eternity.
At the time of Spotswood’s term as Lt Governor of
Virginia in 1722, he had firmly established his presence in the area. Through a
somewhat devious plan he had accumulated over 80,000 acres of land. Records
show that he never sold a single acre of the land, choosing instead to lease
lots, mostly in 50 acre parcels, a few in parcels of up to 500 acres.
English law at that time dictated that settlers
construct a home and plant an orchard on their leased property within three
years. They also had to clear and plant a minimum one-acre garden and/or cropland.
Initially, many chose to plant tobacco. The Colony was cash-strapped in those
days and tobacco became the medium of exchange in most commercial transactions.
A 1724 inventory of Spotswood’s properties shows that
he owned his fort, his large home, dozens of farm animals and the basis of the
iron works, namely the Tubal site, about 12 miles east of his residence. At
Germanna, he established the first County seat of Spotsylvania and held court
in his home. The presence of the court quickly brought its own society;
travelers arrived routinely for appearances before the justices.
County courts developed “Order Books” in those days.
Both the Spotsylvania and later Orange (after 1734) books contain references to
orders issued to Spotswood, primarily dictating that he organize work crews to
maintain the road to Germanna and the bridge over Wilderness Run, located near
the present day intersection of State Route 3 and US 20. Local residents
provided the labor for the crews, usually their slaves. Spotswood did maintain
the ferry that operated over the Rapid Anne River, today’s Rapidan. He also
maintained his own road from Germanna to the Tubal Iron Works.
Eventually, small enterprises sprang up in the area.
Those that were not located at the Court complex would be found along the
Germanna Road. Retail stores, grain mills, saw mills, post offices, wagon
makers and leatherworks businesses all found their place. Physicians took up
residence in the area and church spires began to become part of the local
scenery. By 1725 there were 7 plantations alone in the area surrounding the
Tubal Iron Works site. The new Wilderness society was beginning to take shape.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
Early May 1864 witnessed the first time that
Confederate General Robert E. Lee and Union General Ulysses S. Grant – the two
giants of the Civil War – met in battle in an area known then and forever more
as the Wilderness. The area had been
known as the Wilderness for more than one hundred years before the Civil War
but it was this bloody battle that would put the Wilderness on the map and in
the history books forever. What made
these seventy square miles different from the rest of early Virginia? How did the Wilderness become the
Wilderness? To answer these questions,
we must go back to the early 1700’s when Virginia was still a British colony
and Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood envisioned starting an iron
smelting industry in this area.
Spotswood arrived in Hampton Roads in June, 1710,
after being appointed Lieutenant Governor of the Virginia Colony. Iron ore was known to exist in the area that
would become the Wilderness even before Spotswood arrived in Virginia. The British Government at that time restricted
manufacturing to the home islands and looked to the colonies to produce and
export raw materials back to England while importing finished goods
manufactured from those raw materials.
Despite the lack of permission from the British Government to smelt iron
in the colonies, Spotswood initiated the iron smelting operation in Virginia
anyway. His initiative was in fact the first attempt at moving away from an
agricultural to an industrial based economy in Virginia and actually in any of
the colonies.
There are three elements in that land that are
critical to the smelting of iron ore:
the ground must contain iron ore; there must be large forests for fuel,
and water for power must be available.
All of these features were abundant in what was to become the Wilderness
and Spotswood began acquiring land in this area shortly after his arrival in
Virginia. Within just a couple years he controlled over 80,000 acres in present
day Orange and Spotsylvania Counties.
But there was still one feature missing before
Spotswood could turn his dream into reality and that was the presence of
experienced manpower that could conduct the smelting operations. So he arranged for the emigration of German
iron workers to Virginia; the first emigrants began arriving here in April,
1713. They were the original settlers of
the Germanna community, located on the south bank of the Rapidan River near
today’s State Route 3 and Germanna Community College. By 1715 Spotswood had established the Tubal
Furnace below the confluence of the Rapidan and Rappahannock rivers and was
smelting iron. By 1750 there would be at
least six blast furnaces smelting the area’s iron ore.
The smelting process required a fire hot enough to
reach the iron ore’s melting point, 2,190 to 2,810 degrees Fahrenheit, and it
had to be burning continuously for weeks at a time. The amount of fuel for smelting the iron was enormous
– nearly two acres of hardwood per ton of smelted iron – and some furnaces
could burn as much as seven hundred acres of timber per year. To obtain the fuel required clear cutting
vast segments of the virgin forest in the area.
The second growth forest that sprang up afterward consisted of smaller,
scrubbier trees which allowed the growth of ground covering vegetation. The vines, briars, honeysuckle, poison ivy
and other lower growing vegetation created an almost impenetrable wall of
vegetation and resulted in the area, by at least 1750, becoming known as “The
Wilderness.”
Exhibit 1 The Wilderness Virginia
It was this second growth forest that was in place
during the Civil War. Although the 1863
Battle of Chancellorsville was fought in and around the Wilderness, it was
really the first encounter of Lee and Grant in May 1864 – right in our backyard
– that the iconic name of “The Wilderness” became forever etched in Civil War
and American history.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
History in our Backyard, a product of the Friends of
Wilderness Battlefield (FoWB), was created by FoWB’s Special Programs and
Education Outreach Committees. It
consists of a series of articles designed to share the history of the
Wilderness region with the residents who live in and around this hallowed
ground. The articles focus on either a
particular event or a historical period that brings to life the area’s rich and
vibrant history dating from the earliest settlers to the present day. These brief glimpses into the Wilderness’
history are intended to encourage residents of all ages living in and around
Spotsylvania and Orange Counties to learn and appreciate the significant impact
that this area has had on our local and national history.
For years the Battle of
the Wilderness has been under-appreciated by most Americans. Experience tells
us that local residents have a limited knowledge of the 1864 battle’s impact,
as the first battle in the Overland Campaign and the first face-to-face
encounter between Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. Further, many residents are unaware that the
history of the Wilderness in general is both a microcosm of Virginia history even predating the birth of our Nation and a story of agricultural and general
economic development in a rural setting.
History in our Backyard is also designed to capture our FoWB
members’ wealth of knowledge about various aspects of the Wilderness. We encourage our volunteers to share with
others a particular moment, event, or period in Wilderness history about which
they are knowledgeable. These are not
intended to be scholarly works of history but rather tidbits of information about
the land for the people who share that land today. We hope our neighbors will become more
engaged with their surroundings by having their neighbors – our
volunteers – share their insights into the region through this brief
picture.
Our initial concept was
to make these short pictures into history available to local communities’
newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and websites. But History
in our Backyard is growing beyond our initial expectations. We anticipated no more than a handful of
articles a year but that number is increasing and we are reaching more local
communities and at least one county-wide medium. Possibly the most significant expansion will
be this compilation of all the articles, as they get published elsewhere,
residing on our webpage.
We welcome your comments and suggestions for improving our product and for future subjects. We would even welcome your participation as an author of an article on a topic that is of interest to you and would add to the knowledge of our readership.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
So, you bought a house. First of all, congratulations! The search is over, no more weekends filled with open houses and showings, and you can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Phew.
But your work isn’t quite done yet. Once you buy a house, there are a few things that need to happen before and after move-in day. Check out our list of to-dos, and get prepared for what comes after closing—trust us, your future self will thank you.
Do a Deep Clean
When you first buy your home, there won’t be any heavy dressers blocking off corners, couches and beds to clean under, or stacks of boxes covered in cobwebs in the attic. Your house will never be this empty again—well, until you sell it, that is—so take advantage of the wide-open space.
Whether you want to hire professional cleaners or DIY, you should pour some serious TLC into your new house. Dust, vacuum, mop, scrub, polish—look up a few cleaning checklists for inspiration—and put in some elbow grease.
Change Your Address
This process will be a little tedious, but it has to be done. First, you should fill out a change of address form from your post office, so any mail sent to your old address will get forwarded to your new one—although these days you can even complete the process online!
Next, get in touch with credit card companies, your cell phone provider, and anyone else who will need to continue sending you bills. Big fan of online shopping? The last thing you want is for your package to get dropped off at your old house, so be sure to update your Amazon info, as well.
Set Up Utilities & Security
Running water, electricity, internet…all things you probably want working when you move in, right? If you already have a provider, you’ll need to communicate the change address to them, stop service to your old address, and set up a date for service to continue at your new address.
While you’re getting things installed, you should also consider setting up a security system. These days you’ll have plenty of affordable and high-tech options, so be sure to browse what’s available. At the very least, consider changing your locks, since old copies of the keys from the past owners could still be floating around.
Keep Your Documents Organized
Once you’ve closed on your home, you’re going to have a lot of important documents to keep track of, and moving is going to throw everything into chaos (although hopefully organized chaos) for a bit. As soon as you’ve closed and before you move in, collect all of the documents you used for your mortgage loan, as well as any copies of closing papers.
You never know when you might need some of them again, so invest in a secure storage system to keep them organized and around at all times.
Say Hi to the Neighbors
Even if you’re a little shy, it’s a good idea to introduce yourself to the neighbors once you move in. After all, close neighbors can help with anything from lending you an extra cup of sugar to watching your pets while you’re out of town.
You don’t have to organize a mixer or bake cookies for everyone, but just saying hello while you’re out and about can go a long way in establishing those important relationships.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
Are you considering a visit to Orange County, Virginia? This is truly one of the most wonderful areas you can visit in this part of the country. If you need an activity-filled vacation, but don’t want to leave the US, visiting this county is truly one of the finest decisions you can make. And for those who don’t know exactly what to do around here, don’t worry – we’ve got some suggestions for things to do in Orange County Virginia!
Staying in period cottages.
Before you start looking for things to do in Orange County Virginia, there’s one very important thing you need to ask yourself. Primarily – why are you coming here in the first place? If you’re looking to relocate here permanently, you’ll definitely have a lot to do before enjoying all the local amenities. You’ll have to find assistance for your move in Virginia, buy packing materials, and ship all of your stuff there. But if you’re just looking for a simple vacation, then the place where you’ll stay is important as well.
Orange County Virginia offers plenty of period cottages to stay in!
That’s why we recommend spending some time to think where you’ll stay in Orange County Virginia. If you truly want to feel the rustic spirit of the country, staying in one of the numerous available period cottages is a fine idea. For example, the Boxwood Villa is found on the outskirts of the town. And this is truly an ancient home, dating all the way back to 1850, but recently renovated to receive guests. Seeing as its structure was in fine shape, all it needed was some touching up. These days, it’s one of the best cottages in the area.
Try the local brews and wines
Naturally, when people visit a new part of the country, everyone looks for different things. Some like visiting historical sites, while others like scenic tours of the area. And while all of that is well and good, there are other region-specific things to try out. With that in mind – trying the local alcohol is one of the most fun things to do in Orange County Virginia. As you make your journey around the town and the surrounding area, you’ll find that it offers plenty of interesting breweries and wineries.
There are many great small breweries around here!
Interesting breweries
For example, you’ve got the intriguing Red, White Bleu and Brew brewery. If you’re a fan of both exquisite beer and historical sites, this is definitely a place you shouldn’t miss. So, what makes it one of the things to do in Orange County Virginia? Well, for one – it’s three quarters of a century old, which makes for a lot of combined experience. They focus on products related to Virginia, but they’ve got some international offerings as well. With that in mind, know that you’ve got a beer selection here that you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in the region. As you explore the area, this is one of the best places to stop and rest with a nice cold one!
Historical sights
As we’ve already mentioned, this is definitely a historic area, with lots to offer to people who like to have a sense of the past on their vacations. So, bearing this in mind – are there things to do in Orange County Virginia that are fun for the fans of history? Well, absolutely! Trust us, by the time you’re done exploring Orange County Virginia, you’ll want to buy a cabin home here. But before you do – here are some suggestions on historical sites!
Christ Episcopal Church
Even if you’re not particularly religious, there’s no reason not to appreciate the historical architecture of the local churches. And if you are, this is a double pleasure for you! For example, you can visit the majestic Christ Episcopal Church here. Its ecclesiastical structure makes it a classic Gothic-style church, but not a particularly sprawling one. Nonetheless, the locals have maintained it extremely well, which makes it a worthy sight to see.
Barboursville Ruins
But are there other historical things to do in Orange County Virginia? Naturally! Why not visit the ruins of Governor Barbour’s mansion? These days, this is just a historical landmark, as a fire wrecked a lot of it back in 1884. Regardless, it’s still an interesting place. Thomas Jefferson actually designed it himself, and he wanted it to be the grandest home in all of Orange County. The inside boasted a majestic octagonal parlor, while the facade is Flemish brickwork. The eponymous Barbour was the first governor of Virginia at the start of the 19th century. And his mansion was the center of a great agricultural estate, so it’s definitely one of the most memorable historical sites in the region.
James Madison’s Montpelier
While you’re visiting the homes of important historical figures, why not catch a glance at the private life of James Madison? The man obviously needs no introduction, being the father of the Constitution, as well as the primary creator of the Bill of Rights. Interestingly enough, his wife, Dolly Madison, was actually the first wife of a president to be named ‘First Lady’.
Explore the life of James Madison and his wife!
And the two of them lived on an estate nearby. So, why not go on a historical tour of the lives of the Madisons – who were one of the most important couples in the country’s history? Their private life is intertwined with the rise of democracy in America, as you’ll see while you visit their home. Naturally, you’ll also see a sharp contrast with their political efforts, as their plantations were operated by slaves.
Once you arrive, you’ll see that you can do plenty of things around here and see a lot of intriguing historical facts. The locals have preserved the Madisons’ beautiful gardens, a local forest, and a lot of walking trails for tourists. All of these are open to the public all year long, so missing out on any of this would definitely be a mistake!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
Welcome to 35361 Wilderness Shores Way! This beautifully maintained home boasts sought after vaulted ceilings, a split bedroom floor plan with 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths! Spacious master has an attached full bath and large walk in closet. Screened porch is great for enjoying a cup of coffee while watching the family enjoy the yard. Such a quaint community and close to all the necessities. You will be eager to call this place your home!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
Welcome home to 3804 Lakeview Pkwy where you will be pleasantly greeted by a spacious front yard. Once inside you will be wowed by beautiful floors, 2 fireplaces, gorgeous granite in the kitchen and so much versatile space to truly make this house your home. Enjoy morning coffee on your deck while enjoying the view of the 5th green through the trees.
Feel like venturing out? The community has so much to offer! A private, gated, secured community, Lake of the Woods offers anything and everything you could possibly want. Home to two lakes (the 550 acre main lake and a 35 acre “fishing lake”), a golf course, an equestrian center, a fire and rescue department, and a church all within the gates, Lake of the Woods simply has it all. Whether your passion is boating, waterskiing, kayaking, golfing, horseback riding, or simply taking in the breathtaking views from the clubhouse while enjoying a fabulous meal, from your own deck or yard, or from one of the beaches, you won’t be disappointed! Perhaps you’d like a game of bridge or volunteering your time and talents…Lake of the Woods offers more than 60 clubs and/or organizations from which you may choose to become involved. Located in Orange County, we are fortunate to enjoy low real estate taxes. Coupled with home prices ranging from $100,000 to over $2,000,000, Lake of the Woods is the perfect community for both full-time residents, as well as weekenders. But don’t take my word for it, please come see for yourself! I will gladly give you a tour of Lake of the Woods by boat and by car so that you may experience why I love Lake of the Woods!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
