TAKE A STEP BACK IN TIME
Beyond the old-fashioned Georgia farm gate lies one of the most beautiful and inspiring spots on St. Simons Island, a peaceful, private retreat overlooking serpentine salt creeks and the vast Marshes of Glynn. Originally built in 1967 for New York Times bestselling author Eugenia Price and children’s author Joyce Blackburn, the home lovingly called The Dodge reflects the architectural style of the early Plantation days on St. Simons Island.
“One thing we all knew – there would be no white-columned antebellum replica for us. Such palatial mansions were not old St. Simons. We wanted our house at The Dodge to be truly harmonious with the Island landscape. One that would give the look of a solid, wind-resistant coastal home – two-storied, so we could see the marshes and the salt creek for miles around - and with a traditional kind of simplicity … and most of all, we wanted it to look old when the last nail had been driven!”
–Eugenia Price, St. Simons Memoir
Reward yourself with this rare prize. 4.33 acres of natural beauty surrounded by salt marsh, this casually elegant home sits in a frame of moss-draped live oaks with Mother Nature as its closest neighbor. Awaiting its fortunate new owners is not only a spectacular home filled to overflowing with unique features, but also an idyllic lifestyle on Georgia’s enchanted island.
Working from a rough sketch Joyce Blackburn had drawn on the back of a Lippincott envelope, St. Simons architect Lamar Webb took the idea and created a timeless design; Sea Island builder George Barry brought the design to life. In 2004 current owners Jim and Eileen Humphlett breathed new life and light into an aging beauty with extensive interior renovations and exterior landscaping.
The exterior, a combination of board and batten and old style tabby, is reminiscent of finishes used during the plantation era.
Beautiful antique bricks covering the floors, porches, and walkways were salvaged from the demolition of Savannah’s old DeSoto Hotel.
“I remember the moment of exhilaration when, with the sub flooring laid for the second story, Joyce and I climbed, single file with Lamar and George Barry, up a ladder propped against the front of the house and stood seeing for the first time the serpentine salt creeks and the vast marshes from the elevation of the second story. It was breathtaking.”
-Eugenia Price, St. Simons Memoir
“You can see beauty from every window.”
-Eileen Humphlett, July 2006
The home’s interior – like its charming residents - is warm and inviting; decorated in a comfortable style that encourages guests to come in, put their feet up, stay awhile. Breathtaking views of the marsh and woods can be seen from every room in the house
The foyer with brick floors features a curved, open staircase leading to two spacious guest rooms and offices upstairs.
Walls in the great room are paneled with Ponderosa Pine; floors are Harris Colonial Plank Quarter Sawn Oak. There is a gas log fireplace with marble surround, a large window seat at the bay window, and built-in bookcases.
The gracious formal dining room has a built-in china cabinet with marble counter top.
The kitchen, updated with Silestone counter tops and new appliances in 2004, features an indoor brick fireplace grill, an island with a Thermador five burner gas cook top, a Thermador wall oven/convection & microwave, warming oven, Bosch dishwasher, two breakfast bars and double stainless steel sinks.
Both the dining room and kitchen are floored with the beautiful antique brick.
“You can just be careful in the kitchen because of the bricks,” said the bricklayer Wallace Ledbetter speaking to Eugenia Price. “They’re art pieces. And don’t you ever let anyone talk you into waxing or shellacking them!”
The charming music room has bookcases, brick floors, and overlooks a brick patio and gardens in the back yard. It leads to a private guest wing complete with a private bath. There is a spacious laundry room and half bath in the hallway
At the top of the curved staircase is a loft with closets and storage benches leading to two gracious-sized bedrooms each with adjoining offices. Folding wooden doors separate sleeping quarters from the offices where the original owners worked to create their well known books and novels. The large master bath has a solid marble shower and spacious dressing area with four mirrored closets. Each suite has French doors opening to the upstairs veranda.
Tucked away in a peaceful, serene setting behind historic Christ Church, you can have the privacy that only an estate of this size can offer. It is a world apart, yet only moments from island shopping, dining and recreation.
Quotes from St. Simons Memoir were used with permission of the Eugenia Price and Joyce Blackburn Foundation.
If this is your time to live in one of the
most beautiful spots on St. Simons Island, then this is your place.
Offered for sale at $2,950,000.00
