90 PADUA LANE

Sperryville, VA 22740

Old Atkins Farm is a lovely parcel of land in Old Hollow, nestled against the boundary of Shenandoah National Park. The rolling land, crossed by streams and many stone walls, whispers of days gone by. Deeded to Fannie and James Atkins in 1888 and still a working farm as late as the 1970s, its history can be seen in the old log buildings of the original homestead. These include the main farmhouse, cooper's shop, and several outbuildings for various uses. Sadly, the buildings haven't seen use in a very long time and may only be salvageable for their antique wood beams. With what seems like miles of dry-stack stone walls and cached piles of stone, there is also no shortage of stone for your building projects. At the northern end of the parcel, the land is gently rolling in the area of the old homestead and could be cleared once again as it was in the past. From there, it rises uphill in the approximate center of the parcel to about 1600 feet at the far southern end where it meets the National Park boundary. It would be possible to hike up to Oventop Mountain from here. The slope then dips back down towards Spring Branch, a tributary to the North Fork Thornton River, which is the southeastern boundary of the parcel. In addition to the strong-flowing Spring Branch, there is another smaller creek that gurgles past the old home site and multiple springs uphill of it. Over time, the parcel has once again become wooded as nature reclaims what was once cultivated fields. The bare trees of wintertime afford a seasonal view of nearby ridges. With some strategic clearing, and perhaps from higher ground, it may be possible to enjoy this view year-round. Situated near the end of private Padua Lane, driving into Old Atkins Farm feels like a trip back in time. It is not hard to imagine family histories being made, the land being worked and food produced, timber harvested and cut into logs for building. There were animals to care for, orchards to be harvested, and water to fetch from the spring. Fields had to be cleared of stone so they could be plowed, the stone used for pasture walls and home foundations. Come wander the woods and sit a spell. If you listen carefully, you might hear whispers of the past. Located just outside the village of Sperryville, the farm is a bucolic escape yet close to restaurants, galleries, shops and more.