Stonewall Stopped Here

The five-bedroom house is being sold "as is," and a walk-through reveals peeling paint, plaster and a circa-1960s kitchen badly in need of updating. But the 6,000-square-foot house also boasts soaring ceilings, six-over-six sash windows, seven fireplaces (including one in the vintage kitchen), original mantels and floors, numerous porches, and a grand sycamore allée along the drive.

"I'm selling something that's different, and if you are in that market, this is an opportunity," Gravett said.

Until four years ago, Holly Knoll was owned by Mildred Hand, who moved into it in 1953. According to Hand's son Shaner, the stately, three-story house was a joy in which to live: Shaner's mother and her husband, Frank Hand, threw lavish parties and always had company. Shaner kept a horse, worked at the dairy farm behind the property and attended Herndon High School.

"We hosted a graduation party for my high school class, and you know, I've attended reunions, and people often tell me they don't remember a whole lot from back then, but they remember the party at Holly Knoll," Shaner said.

When Mildred Hand died in 2004, Shaner and his brother, Darby Hand, debated what to do with the property. Shaner, a lawyer in the real estate title business, considered developing the property. But after exploring their options, the brothers decided to sell, Shaner said.

"If I had my druthers, I'd just love to see a family in here," Shaner said.

A scan of Holly Knoll's real estate property assessments is a mini-lesson in the now-vanished boom market. In 2000, the home and its acreage were assessed at $853,340; by 2008, the county had assessed the property at $4.3 million. Taxes are $37,996 -- a little steep for the average shopper.

"Yes, we might have buyers come to us and start saying they don't like this or they don't like that. Well, then, they may not be the right buyer. Someone needs to get on the property and decide 'Hey, this is for me,' and I'm pretty sure that buyer is out there," Gravett said.

Because Holly Knoll is a large historic property at Fairfax County's western edge, future owners might be able to apply for a conservation easement and receive state tax credits, Gravett said. Both he and Shaner say the property is the "gateway to Fairfax County," and, when paired with Dranesville Tavern across the road, should be preserved.

"I love this house. I love this property. I'm sure someone out there will love it, too," Shaner said.

House Gossip is an occasional look at interesting places owned by interesting people. To let us know about houses worth covering, e-mail us atrealestate@washpost.com.