Stone House

Welcome to our home! For the first time, this National Registry of Historic Places property is being opened for public use. From a pre-Revolutionary War fort, to the current modern renovations, to the blue prints of what is sure to become an oasis for getaways and events; this is not your typical weekend retreat on the river! This is an opportunity to support a historic treasure…while having a great time in a beautiful place! The Heiston-Strickler House, also referred to as “The Old Stone House”, began its’ life as an underground, stone fort with tunnel access to the Shenandoah River sometime in the early to mid-1700’s. In 1790, a two-story, stone structure was completed overtop the fort. Over the centuries, the property has had many facelifts. Wooden additions and out-buildings have been built, torn down and rebuilt. The tunnel has been flooded out and caved in. Thousands of acres of the original farmland have been divided off, sold, and rumor has it…some has been gambled away! All the while, the stone house itself has remained in the family of the original founder, Colonel Daniel Strickler. Paintings in the living room depict the house in varying stages over the last 200 years! In 2006, the current owners began one of the most thorough renovations the house has ever had! The interior was completely gutted to bare walls and dirt floor! The collapsing fort cellar was dug out, rebuilt, and reinforced with steel and concrete. The beautiful chestnut beams were exposed, repaired, and refinished. And of course, amenities had to be added! Central heating and air conditioning was made possible through bulkheads and creative use of interior walls. Solid knotty alder doors were placed throughout the home including a wonderful hidden door at the entry to the fort cellar. The downstairs was designed to include: a modern kitchen with electric range, microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator; a living area with a large stone fireplace; a laundry room equipped with high-efficiency washer/dryer; and a convenient half-bath. The second story has been transformed into two huge bedrooms and a massive full bathroom with a steam shower unit and a separate toilet room. Each bedroom has a queen size bed with luxury bedding, satellite television and a beautiful stone fireplace (Fireplaces' are decorative and nonoperational). At this time, the fort cellar and attic are not finished. We appreciate your understanding and compliance with avoiding use of these spaces. We will keep you posted when these spaces will be available for your enjoyment. The exterior of the house and the 5-acre property are in the infancy stage of renovation. The small front porch has undergone some repair due to weather and bug damage and now boasts a knotty alder door with a speakeasy, two large stagecoach lights, A wood addition was recently taken down due to its’ irreparable state (you can still see the outline of where it was on the east wall). There is a free-standing stone fireplace that was once part of an old summer kitchen which burned down long ago. Future plans for the exterior include landscaping, a sun room addition, in-law’s quarters, a detached garage and stone walkways. The Shenandoah River runs along the property approximately 100 yards from the house. Immediately behind the property there is a steep bank which does not allow much river access. If you follow the property line west you will enter onto approximately ¾ mile of riverfront which is manicured for use. The owners and operators of the surrounding 100-acre beef and poultry farm reside south of the Stone House. They too are descendants and family of Colonel Strickler and are as warm and welcoming as any country-folk you could ever meet! Don’t be surprised if someone stops down and invites you to a barbeque on the river or offers to tell you stories about the property. Next to the Snyder home is a small family cemetery which is as old as the stone house itself! Generations of loved ones including Colonel Daniel Strickler are buried there and are still being laid to rest there today. You are welcome to explore the area but please remain respectful of the residents and mindful that it is a working farm. The living room and bedrooms all have televisions with satellite access. There is wireless internet and telephone service throughout the house. A PlayStation and DVD player can be found in the living room. Feel free to bring some games and movies. Board games are in the trunk. See if you can find the hidden Fort Cellar door, but please do not enter! Although structurally secure the space is unfinished and you may come face to face with a lot of unwelcome eight-legged family members! Likewise, the attic door should remain locked. The space is utilized for HVAC access and storage by owners only until the next phase of upgrades! Shower is not as intimidating as it looks!! An operating booklet is in the bathroom. You must turn the computer on to operate the steam unit, jets, fan, or radio. The steam unit is set at a maximum temperature of 104 degrees; you will not want any hotter than that! It takes some time to get going so turn it on a few minutes prior to use and make sure the cabin doors are closed. The radio has to be tuned manually. Sorry there are no pre-sets. The shower heads can be utilized without the computer. There is a knob below the computer you can adjust to dictate the head you wish to use (handheld, rain shower, jets). The temperature knob is extremely sensitive!!! Do not crank up or you will scold yourself. Please start out with the current setting and make very slight adjustments as necessary. Kitchen is stocked with dishes, utensils, glassware, pots/pans, coffee pot, toaster oven and all typical appliances. Gas grill available.   Thank You for visiting and Enjoy your stay!!

28 miles to Massanutten Resort, 4 miles to Luray Caverns, 12 miles to the Thornton Gap entrance to the Shenandoah National Park, and the George Washington National Forest Storybook Trail is 12 miles away.
  ***Pricing is based on 2 Guests; each additional Guest is $25/night per guest
Children under 2 no charge***