'Best of both worlds': 1850 home for sale in Lake City has plenty of 21st century updates

A stately home for sale in Lake City has mid-19th century charm and 21st century finishes and amenities.

The two-story brick home for sale at 10004 West Lake Road, near Lake Erie Community Park, was built in 1850. Jeff and Janice Meeder have owned the home for 35 years and lived in it for 33 years. It took two years of spare-time work to knock down interior walls to enlarge living spaces and to add bathrooms and walk-in closets where none existed, among other projects.

And the Meeders have continued to update the home, which is for sale for $439,900.

New windows, French doors and twin skylights in a secondary bedroom upstairs let in natural light. The remodeled, eat-in kitchen has cherry cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Bathrooms feature modern granite, tile and a jacuzzi tub. And there are shelving systems in bedroom and hallway closets.

There's also a ground-floor laundry with a chute from the second floor, plus a multi-room basement with LED lighting and plenty of storage space.

The three-acre property includes perennial gardens and a three-bay garage with a workshop and second-floor storage.

19th century character remains

Little is known of the home's history, and some of its original features were lost through the years.

A back staircase between the kitchen and a maid's room was removed before the Meeders bought the house. Also gone is a dumb waiter between the pantry and basement.

But the house still has original brick and stone walls in the basement and a front porch extending the length of the house. The porch is accented by decorative concrete pillars and bordered by low, decorative concrete walls.

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A fireplace with an iron swing arm for a cooking pot was uncovered in the kitchen. Also in the kitchen are wooden wainscoting and trim obtained from a church/schoolhouse also built in 1850.

A modern craftsman created plaster ceiling medallions reminiscent of centuries past in living areas of the home.

"The house is the best of both worlds," said listing agent Jenn Hills, of Coldwell Banker Select, Realtors.

The details

The 3,536-square foot home has four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

There's a formal dining room and a living room open to a parlor, or second living space. A small room off the parlor used as a toy room by the Meeders alternately could be used as an office or library.

The home has hot water heat, gas, public water and a septic tank for sewage.

Annual school and municipal taxes total about $5,000, according to Realtor.com .

Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@timesnews.com .

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: 'Best of both worlds': 1850 home for sale in Lake City has plenty of 21st century updates