389 Summerville Road, Smiths Station, AL 36877

$499,999

A letter from the sellers: When we bought Lawson Farms in 2015, we knew we were becoming part of something special. This historic Smiths Station home, once owned by local author Caroline Lawson Ivey (1912–1972), has a story as rich as its setting. Ivey, who wrote The Family… Read More in the Library, was a Lee County native educated at what is now Auburn University. She taught in local schools before turning to writing, and her quiet creativity still seems to linger within the walls. In recognition of her lifelong dedication to education and the arts, the Caroline Ivey Memorial Foundation was later established in her name to provide grants for aspiring middle and secondary teachers. Originally built as a four-room dogtrot in the 1890s, the home has grown gracefully over time. In the 1950s, a grand Southern staircase and second floor were added, and in the 1970s, a downstairs bedroom with a private porch and morning room expanded the living space. Many original features remain intact, including the heart-pine floors and tall sash windows. A charming dumbwaiter in the library, once used to bring coal up from the basement to one of the home’s three fireplaces, and the hand-carved crown molding stand as reminders of the home’s enduring craftsmanship. Beneath what is now the enclosed porch lies the original well, connecting the home’s present comfort to its self-sustaining past. The property also includes a collection of historic outbuildings that reflect its working farm heritage. Among them are a traditional smokehouse, a 2,000-square-foot milking barn, a control shed with full electrical connections, and a lambing shed, each contributing to the story of the land. A former farmworker’s cottage still stands on the property, full of character and potential for thoughtful restoration. Together, these structures offer a rare glimpse into the history of Alabama farm life and create a setting that beautifully balances history, authenticity, and opportunity. Historic photographs of Lawson Farms and its surrounding acreage are preserved in Auburn University’s digital collections, a testament to the property’s lasting place in Lee County’s story. For us, Lawson Farms has been more than a house; it has been a home filled with warmth, history, and the quiet beauty of a life well lived. Appraisal on file for $525,000 performed by Rick Norris June 2025. Instant equity!! Would be perfect for a wedding venue or a bed & breakfast!!!! Read Less

Courtesy of Alison Cox, Keller Williams Realty River C 334-298-3900

Listing Snapshot

Days Online

Last Updated

Dec 31, 2025

Property Type

Single Family Residence

Beds

Full Baths

Partial Baths

Square Ft.

5,223

Lot Size

3.79 Acres

Year Built

1898

MLS Number

E102433

Additional Details

Property Access

Road frontage type: CountyRoad, None, Asphalt

Appliances & Equipment

Dishwasher, ElectricCooktop, ElectricOven, Microwave, Refrigerator, Other equipment: None

Basement

CrawlSpace, WalkOutAccess

Building

Built in 1898, Architectural style: Farmhouse, Total building area : 5223, Construction materials: Brick, WoodSiding, Other structures: Barns, Workshop, 2, NoCommonWalls

Community

Features: None

Cooling

CentralAir

Exterior Features

Courtyard, PrivateYard, RainGutters

Fence

WroughtIron

Fireplaces

3 total fireplaces, Decorative

Floors

Hardwood, Tile

Garage

2 carport spaces

Water Features

None

Heating

Central

Interior Features

Bookcases, CrownMolding, CathedralCeilings, EntranceFoyer

Laundry

LaundryTub, Sink, UpperLevel

Lot

3.79 acres, Features: BackYard, IrregularLot, Landscaped, Level, Wooded

Energy Saving

None

Parking

Attached, Covered, Carport, Driveway, ParkingPad, 2 covered spaces

Pets Policy

None

Pool

None

Property

Patio and porch features: Covered, FrontPorch, Patio, SidePorch, View: TreesWoods

Roof

Composition

Security Features

None

Sewer

SepticTank

Spa

None

Taxes

Annual amount: $2,607, Year: 2024

Utilities

None, CableAvailable, ElectricityAvailable, PhoneAvailable, WaterAvailable

Windows

WoodFrames

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