Talbot County has sixty-four historic properties and districts listed in the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties including one of my fave buildings in St. Michaels, the Henry Clay Dodson House. Built between 1860-1870 on an acre of property along the harbor in the Historic District of St. Michaels, the house’s distinctive mansard roof stands out in its streetscape. The center hall plan was built upon a foundation of common red brick with German shiplap siding and the mansard roof is embellished with bracketed eaves around the house, decorative corner boards and crown molding. A rhythm of arched top dormers with elegant flared jambs between stylized floral patterns in white tiles enhances the roofing that is pierced by twin red chimneys to creates a seamless and exquisite façade around the building. As an architect, I was pleased to find in my research that the original owners retained a Baltimore architect, Edmund G. Lind, to design the building and the current owners named one of their bedroom ensuites in honor of him.

The front entrance is located perpendicular to the street that allows privacy for one to relax on a rocking chair or to enjoy the swing. A path from the Town sidewalk leads to steps up to the front porch, flanked by shrubbery and spring flowers that have begun to bloom. Brick piers infilled with white lattice supports the three-bay Colonial Revival styled porch’s Tuscan columns with a decorative block eave. I greatly admired the tall arched top windows with their elegantly flared jamb trim

The rear elevation’s porch overlooks the water and the pedestrian bridge to the Maritime Museum Complex. Part of the original porch has been infilled with glazing for both indoor or outdoor enjoyment of the tranquil view of the water. A later one-story addition created a sumptuous primary bedroom ensuite with its own large waterside deck that accommodates both sitting and dining areas and a hammock. Adirondack chairs are strategically placed on both the lawn underneath the shade of majestic trees and the small beach for peaceful views of the water and the Town’s Hollis Park on the other shoreline.

The rear porch provides an elevated view of both the lawn, water, Hollis Park and the harbor and the wide column spacing enhances the enjoyment of one’s front row seat on a rocking chair.

I am a friend of a previous owner so it was a special pleasure to enter the foyer to be reacquainted with the interior’s carefully preserved original details such as the beautiful wood floors, the baseboard with its ogee top molding. I especially admired the stair’s details of the scrollwork along the wall below the treads, the heavily turned newel post and balusters and to feel the smooth surface of the walnut cap rail. The rear door in on axis with the front door so there are long vistas through each façade’s porch.

To the right of the foyer were originally two parlors with back to back fireplaces; these rooms are currently used as bedrooms. The vista from this room captures the beauty of the carved wood doors found throughout the house. This parlor in the center of the house also has a fireplace but the rear wall has a wide opening to the adjacent sunroom with its wrap-around windows that give the parlor abundant afternoon sunlight. I admired the mix of the curvaceous Victorian sofa with the leather armchairs-a perfect setting for drinks before dinner or a nightcap before bedtime!

The sunroom is currently furnished as a dining area but if it were my house, I would be tempted to use this space with its exterior walls infilled with windows as a conservatory and furnish it with my rattan furnishings and plants. Up-down shades would provide privacy when needed. The center parlor could then become the dining room since it is adjacent to the kitchen.

The kitchen is a high, airy space with tall windows overlooking the garden along the side of the house. The older cabinetry and the stainless steel appliances and work table give the kitchen its eclectic look. Leaving the stove between the windows would create both a larger island for relocating the sink and dishwasher and an efficient flow.

I loved the juxtaposition of the vintage Hoosier cabinet on the back wall and the later cabinetry and I hope the next owner would keep the Hoosier cabinet as part of any kitchen renovation they might undertake. The door in the side exterior wall’s door leads to a small screened porch for deliveries or for direct access from the side parking area for unloading groceries.

Off the center parlor is the sumptuous Primary Suite with windows on both front and rear walls and a fireplace. I loved the interior design with the dark walls and the signature bed with its curved headboard and footboard with finials. The Owners have christened this room the “Willow Manse” in homage to the house’s original name.

The Primary Bath’s long vanity with a center lavatory creates ample room for a couple’s toiletries. I admired how the deep mocha walls highlights the whiteness of the cabinetry and the tub/shower.

The bonus of the Primary Bedroom ensuite is this spacious terrace that is a delightful multi-purpose outdoor room with both sitting and dining areas. I could well imagine using this space all day for my morning coffee and watching the harbor activity coming alive, taking an afternoon nap or reading a book in the hammock and ending my day by enjoying the sun setting over the long vista to the harbor.

If I were lucky to be a guest, I would hope to be given this spacious main floor bedroom ensuite overlooking the lawn and harbor from the vista through the wide center picture window flanked by operable units.

The second floor contains four guest ensuites on all four corners of the house so each bedroom has windows on each exterior wall for daylight throughout the day. I admired this bedroom’s interior design, especially the elegant curvatures of both the Bergere chair like one of my own and the chest of drawers so a guest could feel at home and unpack for a long stay.

This bedroom ensuite is located at the rear corner of the house with the bed positioned to enjoy the views of the lawn and water.

Opposite the other rear corner bedroom ensuite is another spacious bedroom. I especially admired the bedframe with its convex and concave design. The charming settee reminded me of my great-grandmother’s settee that now graces my home.

When my friend operated a B&B on the property, she lived in this two bedroom, two bath guest house next to the large off-street parking area for guests. If the next owner uses the property as a private residence, this guest house is perfect for multi-generational holidays or other celebrations. Mom and Dad can stay in the Guest House and the children and grandchildren would have several bedroom ensuites to choose from!

The main floor of the story and a half guest house’s front door opens into an open plan living-dining-kitchen area. The stair leads to the second floor bedroom and bath. Wide pocket doors separate the main floor bedroom from the open plan area.

The living room area feels like a sunroom with both corner walls infilled with wide windows overlooking the water and landscape.

Across from the living room area is the kitchen with ample workspace and storage space.

The cozy dining area has daylight and views from the double unit window on one wall and the single unit window on the other wall. The round table and chairs and the corner cabinet with the Chippendale top stores china and serving pieces create a cozy corner for dining.

This historic gem with its distinctive mansard roof of the Second Empire architectural style has a unique status of being one of the sixty-four properties or districts in Talbot County that are listed in the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties maintained by the Maryland Historical Trust. Original features including flooring, transoms above the second floor doors, multiple fireplaces, walnut staircase, moldings and trim have been lovingly maintained.

The property spans the length of its block and includes a large off-street parking area. The building’s peaceful setting is located at the end of a short dead end street across from only two private residences. Its rear lawn gently slopes down to the shoreline of St. Michaels harbor with access to the Miles River and the Chesapeake Bay. Close by are the Maritime Museum, shops, restaurants, Muskrat Park, San Domingo Park and the Rails to Trails.

A variety of outdoor rooms from the welcoming front porch overlooking the gardens; the rear porch overlooking the expansive lawn leading to the water; and the large private deck for the primary suite offer tranquil views of the harbor and the picturesque streetscape of St. Michaels. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy the property as a private residence or as an Inn with a two bedroom, two bath guest house that has been the home of the Inn’s proprietors. Truly a one-of-a kind property!

For details about this property, contact Rob Lacaze, Senior Vice President/Realtor with TTR Sotheby’s International Realty at 410-745-2596 (o), 410-310-7835 (c), or rlacaze@ttrsir.com , “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Main House photography by Jumping Rocks Photography, www.jumpingrocks.com, 215- 985-3277

Guest House photography by Eve Fishell, Chesapeake Pro Photo LLC, 443-786-8025, www.chesapeakeprophoto.com, eve@chesprophoto.com.

For information about more of Talbot County’s rich treasure trove of historic Properties, visit https://datamaryland.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/a4d93683504e4c2598bfe3840ef8aeaf_0/about

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

I always enjoy returning to this charming street on San Domingo Creek very close to the shops, restaurants and attractions of St. Michaels. This property is unique in that it is one of the five properties in an HOA that offers its own amenities of a central community lot, a deep water dock with a slip for each property, a kayak rack, a small sandy beach for launching paddle boards or boats and an open air pavilion for members to enjoy with family and friends.

The house is hidden behind a quiet cul-d-sac and its circular drive provides ample space for guests’ cars. On the day of my visit, I admired the tall sycamores and several plants in the landscape were beginning to bloom. I also admired the pergola with its verdant cape draped over the two-car garage’s doors.

The garage is connected to the house by a gated breezeway to access the side door to the kitchen for direct unloading of groceries. From the garage, hardscape varied in size and material widens to meet the wrap-around porch. I admired the house’s textures of light caramel cedar shake siding and the low slope copper roof over the porch.

I postponed entering the house for the opportunity to explore the waterside rear yard. Towering deciduous trees offer shade and the seating group tempted me to linger. The one-level house stretches its length along the shoreline and this part of the elevation is infilled with windows of the waterside sunroom and dining area. The sunny deck off the sunroom has umbrellas for shade for one to enjoy the panoramic view of San Domingo Creek.

Next to the sunroom is the primary ensuite with its rear wall also infilled with sliding doors flanked by long windows. Steps lead down from the primary bedroom to its terrace with tall shrubbery for privacy from the other deck.

It was hard to resist not sitting on the sunroom deck to enjoy the tranquil view of San Domingo Creek. I could well imagine how it would be easy to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon stretching out to read a book on the chaise and later enjoying an al-fresco meal with family or friends.

As I walked along the riprapped shoreline, I was surprised to see that the distance from the house to the shoreline is uniquely less than most Talbot County waterfront properties. Since the house is nestled in a clearing surrounding by trees and shrubbery, it also enjoys privacy from the water.

I circled back to the wrap-around front porch and opened the door to a spacious foyer with two closets for coats and other storage. The warmth of the wood antiques and the colorful rug over beautiful wood flooring creates a gracious space for welcoming family and friends.

The house is zoned very well with a short hall at the end of the foyer leading to the guest bedrooms and baths and past the powder room at the end of the foyer is the hub of the house; the living room, sunroom-dining area and kitchen.

One-level houses have the advantage of opening up their ceilings to increase their spatial volume. These sloped ceilings and stained rafters give the living room great interior architectural character and the mix of upholstered and wood furnishings is quite appealing. This large room’s seating is anchored by another colorful rug and grouped around the focal point of the wood burning fireplace flanked by custom built-ins. The wide wall opening at the living room’s rear wall defines the boundary between the sitting area and the circulation path to the adjacent sunroom.

The length of the sunroom easily accommodates sitting and dining areas and the wide sliding doors create easy indoor-outdoor flow to the deck. I loved the antique bench with its patina of age that is now a perfect coffee table. With the TV tucked into the corner of the sitting area, one can enjoy both watching TV and the view of the water.

The dining area is surrounded by the wrap-around windows for panoramic views of the landscape and water. The area’s size easily accommodates seating for eight around the table.

The kitchen has a side exterior door to the breezeway and is also connected to both the dining area of the sunroom and the living room. The warm yellow walls, beautiful wood floors, the exquisite large oval rag rug, the repurposed piece that is a great island workspace and the sloped ceiling adds great character to the space.

The primary bedroom is accessed off a short hall from the sunroom. Its sloped ceiling with stained rafters, light blue walls and the sleigh bed with white bedding create a quiet haven for relaxation and restful sleep. The fireplace is a bonus on these cold winter nights we have endured lately!

The four-piece primary bath has a corner shower between separate lavatories with ample space for toiletries. Sliding doors lead to another outdoor room, the interior courtyard that is accessed also by one of the other three guest bedrooms. A walk-in closet completes the primary ensuite.

My compliments to the photographer for taking this shot when the sun maximized the shadows on all of the surfaces with their varied materials and texture-Brava! The square lattice is open to the landscape for cooling breezes to flow through this delightful and very private outdoor room. All this retreat needs is a fountain to provide soothing background sounds!

I always channel Goldilocks when I tour guest bedrooms and this one would be the one I would choose after testing the other choices if I were a lucky guest. The corner location with long windows for sunlight throughout the day and landscape views, earth tones of the interior design and the exquisite artisan rocker would make a guest’s stay quite enjoyable.

The largest of the guest bedrooms is an ensuite that could also be a primary bedroom when children were young. The bedroom also has sliding doors to the interior courtyard -perfect for guests with young children or pets. The third guest bedroom at the front of the house is perfectly sized for an office use as well with a window overlooking the courtyard for breaks from computer work.

I ended my tour of the property by walking the path to the community pier with a deepwater slip for each of the five homeowners in the HOA and the pavilion with long views of San Domingo Creek. How wonderful that this historic pavilion has been preserved for lucky residents of this HOA to enjoy!

The large open-air pavilion with wide column bays for maximum panoramic water views must be the scene of many family reunions and other celebrations. At sundown when the string of lights comes alive, this must be a magical place!

The pavilion for the former summer resort that was located here is all that is left of the “Oakwood Inn” property that was a popular retreat in the early 20th century for its scenic water views and outdoor activities of boating, skating, and swimming -how fortunate that the pavilion still delights its full time residents!

This charming one-level waterfront retreat is tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac along San Domingo Creek with close proximity to historic St. Michaels. The site also offers three unique bonuses. One is its distance from the house to the shoreline that is uniquely less than most Talbot County waterfront properties. Another is its being one of the five properties in an HOA that offers its own amenities of a central community lot, a deep water dock with a slip for each property, a kayak rack, a small sandy beach for launching paddle boards or boats and an open air pavilion for members to enjoy with family and friends. The third is although it is currently served by a septic system, approved public sewer service is coming soon that offers opportunities for expansion.

The interior architecture is enhanced by flooring of rich custom yellow pine, premium carpeting, and tile and sloped ceilings that increase the spatial volume.

The floor plan layout works very well with one waterside primary ensuite and three other bedrooms, including another ensuite, and a hall bath at the front of the house for privacy. The hub of the house is the interconnected living room with a wood burning fireplace, the waterside sunroom-dining area and the kitchen.

The range of outdoor rooms from the covered main entry porch, the enclosed courtyard surrounded by the bedrooms, the waterside decks off both the primary bedroom and the sunroom offer landscape and/or water views. Who could ask for anything more?

For more information about this property, contact Janet Larson at Benson & Mangold Real Estate, 410-822-6665 (o), 410-310-1797 (c), or jlarson@bensonandmangold.com. For more pictures and pricing, visit www.shoremove.com , www.bensonandmangold.com “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Photography by Janelle Stroop, 410-310-6838, janelle@thruthelensphotos.com

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings ever