The Land

We shopped deliberately in the early 80’s to find this unique property with sheltered waterfront, old growth woods, interesting topography, southern exposure, fresh water springs, and enough land for mini-farm use. We were not the first to appreciate this place as there are Native American, Colonial, and Victorian artifacts in abundance. The year-round springs and waterfront must have been a major attraction through the centuries. Judging from the oyster middens and arrowheads, the early inhabitants lived well here.

The topography is perfect with half the property high, level, and usable and the other half wooded and sloping to the water. Walking trails throughout the wooded areas go around the pond and alongside a marshy cove down to the pier. The woods change dramatically through the seasons from lush and almost jungle-like in the spring and summer to open and airy in the fall and winter. Native plants include Dogwood, Sassafras, Persimmon, Tulip Poplar, Black Walnut, Hackberry, Dogwood, Holly, Hickory, Maple, Oak, Ash, Honey Locust, Sycamore, Wild Cherry, Mulberry, Pine, Cedar, Black Berries, Wine Berries, Raspberry, Viburnum, Spice Bush, Ferns, Vinca Minor and Major, Ivy, Sweet Bay or Swamp Magnolia, Upland Magnolia, Bayberry, Marsh Mallow, Cattail, and Arrowhead. There are several distinct ecosystems including field, moist fertile hillside, marshy cove, and dry slope. Plantings include Apple, Pear, Peach, Plum, Cherry, Apricot, Japanese Persimmon, Hazelnut, Japanese Heartnut, Pecan, Grape, Fig, Blueberry, Lilac, Strawberry Bush, Rose, Mock Orange, Hibiscus, Camellia, Dawn Redwood, Bald Cypress, Raisin Tree, Japanese Maple, Timber Bamboo, Hardy Citrus, Azalea, Roses, and Rhododendron.

The pond was originally a low area kept soggy by numerous springs. With planning assistance from the extension office the bog was dug out to form a nice year-round freshwater pond. In the past it has had large Koi and largemouth bass. The dam serves as a walking trail between the pond and creek.From the middle of the dam you can see out over the marshy cove to Lodge Creek. A Bald Cypress planted in the cove about 20 years ago is thriving. It already has cones and knees and the fall foliage is a beautiful bronze color. This long-lived tree will eventually dominate the cove with its height and spread. Two of the larger springs have been developed, one with an old brick pool, and both have 2’ waterfalls.

There is plenty of wildlife. Lots of squirrels due to the hickory and black walnut trees and hungry songbirds at the feeders all winter. Expect to regularly see bald eagles, osprey, kingfishers, ducks of all kinds, great blue and little green herons, foxes, raccoons, owls, and deer.

If you like gardening and enjoy seafood you can be nearly self-sufficient here. Fish from the dock, grow oysters in floats, and catch crabs by net or pots. We have continuously grown Shitake mushrooms on oak logs stacked in the woods. We also find wild mushrooms like Chicken-of-the-Woods, Oyster, Beefsteak, and Boletes.

The house is shielded from the low summer sun by tall trees to the east and west, yet there are no large trees close enough to the house to be a threat during a windstorm. The house and the pier have southern exposure and are protected from northerly winds. The shoreline is totally protected and the point of land extending into Lodge Creek on the west side is continually growing and adding to the property while other less protected properties on the creek are requiring rip-rap to prevent shoreline loss. Sea-level rise or storm tides are not a problem because the house and all buildings are 25’ above sea level, yet the slope is gentle for easy access to the pier. We have left a wooded border all along the water, but sight lines for better water views could be easily opened up if desired. Behind the house is a level lawn over the septic tank and drainfield. There is a heavy-duty badminton/volleyball net there for summer fun. Between the house and garage is a parking area large enough for several cars. Behind the garage is the raised-bed garden. The well is located at the end of the raised-bed garden. The driveway goes out between the garden and the woods overlooking the pond. The driveway is bluestone gravel and is level and in good condition. The west side of the lot has a long row of cedars for privacy and a windbreak. The first 377’ of Gillions Lane after turning off Melrose Road is on the property and continues on to provide deeded access to two other lots with houses. The neighbors are great. No other lots using the driveway are possible. The physical address of the property is 73 Gillions Lane, but since the property also fronts Melrose Road, we still use the original 693 Melrose Road mailing address.