4157 Calico
Lenoir, NC
$1,250,000
Details & Amenities
Step back in time and experience the charm of this remarkable historic estate, originally built in 1856 and nestled on 37.44 picturesque acres. Rich in history and surrounded by natural beauty, this one-of-a-kind property offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of the past while enjoying the tranquility of country living. A portion of the land is fenced pasture, great for livestock, gardening, or simply enjoying the open space. The peaceful waters of Lower Creek flow along the back of the property, creating a serene backdrop for daily life. Wander through the property's impressive bamboo forest, explore the rock-enclosed herb gardens that once supplied a variety of culinary and medicinal herbs, and admire the stately boxwoods believed to date back to the 1880s. The grounds are complemented by an exceptional collection of historic outbuildings, including a smokehouse, well house, barn, tool house, chicken coop, and a long multi-bay shed, offering endless possibilities for farming, storage, workshops, or restoration projects. Steeped in character and heritage, this extraordinary property captures the essence of a bygone era while providing ample acreage, natural beauty, and space to create your own legacy. History: The John Eli Corpening House, completed in 1856, is one of the most architecturally significant antebellum residences in Caldwell County. Constructed of handmade brick and designed with restrained Greek Revival detailing, the dwelling reflected both the prosperity and social standing of its owner, John Eli Corpening. Historic architectural surveys have identified the house as one of only two double-pile brick residences erected in Caldwell County during the antebellum period, placing it among the county most substantial and historically important nineteenth-
century homes. (The other is Clover Hill located in Patterson). The John Eli Corpening House embodies the Greek Revival style that dominated American architecture during the decades before the Civil War. Its symmetrical brick façade, double-pile floor plan, dominated by a two-story classical portico supported by plain Tuscan-order columns reflected the influence of classical Greek architecture while adapting those ideals to the agricultural landscape of Caldwell County. The residence served as the center of the Corpening plantation, known locally as Calico, and remains an important example of the agricultural and architectural heritage of Caldwell County. The house is constructed with double-wythe walls. This construction method involves an exterior brick layer and an interior brick layer with space in between. Designed for structural support, fire resistance and moisture control. The
heating system which was specifically designed for the house which uses hot water to heat the
brick allowing it to maintain its warmth. The well executed interior is a classic Greek revival plan and features post and lintel mantels, molded door and window surrounds, wide baseboards and a closed stringer stair curvilinear bracket ornamenting the stringer board and plaster walls. The roof is slate and was recently installed and has copper flashing. Whether you're seeking a homestead, hobby farm, equestrian retreat, or a historic treasure to preserve, this rare offering is truly unlike anything else on the market.
Roof:
Slate
Parking:
Driveway, Gravel, No Garage, Private
Exterior:
Fence, Out Buildings, Storage, Gravel Driveway
Fireplace:
Wood Burning
Heat:
Baseboard, Hot Water, Oil
Air Condition:
None, Wall Window Units
Property Type:
Residential
Style:
Other, See Remarks
This property is a listing of Keller Williams High Country.
© 06/20/2026 Multiple Listing Service of the High Country Association of REALTORS®, Inc. All rights reserved.
© 06/20/2026 Multiple Listing Service of the High Country Association of REALTORS®, Inc. All rights reserved.