Video Tour
Intrinsic Beauty
If you dream of a place with the intrinsic beauty of a historic house but with modern-day conveniences, this rare find offers both. Built in 1869 and known as the Schaeffer farmhouse, the home has been carefully stewarded through the years.
Charming by anyone's measure, the house has an ease and comfort that comes from years of life and love dwelling there.
Charming
Stunning View in all Four Seasons
Comfortable space throughout, featuring tall ceilings, beautiful wood floors, built-ins, and tons of natural light.
Gathering Kitchen with Center Island, Dining Room
Truly the heart of the home, guest come and go through the kitchen entrance. Ideal for entertaining or preparing a delicious family meal, this versatile space has been updated without losing the charm and character of the home.
Most likely the original parlor. this room has been used as a music room, living room, home office, TV room over the years. Lovely windows, gleaming wood floors, deep windowsills, and tall ceilings provide a comfortable setting regardless of the use.
You Decide
Primary Bedroom with adjacent Full Bath
One of the features is the closet space. The walk-in closet was added by the current owner. This room also provides walk up access to one of two attics, allowing for fantastic storage.
3 Additional Bedrooms
Additional Bathrooms
Situated on over 2 acres bordered by 10 acres of protected land with stream, the house is perfectly married to its surroundings. Enjoy the yard from one of the five porches. Sidewalks, mature shade trees, brick walkways, a paver patio with Colonial perennial walking garden, a firepit, half-court basketball with hoop, pavilion with four large picnic tables, a two-car detached garage, and an in-ground pool offer relaxation and recreation to all who visit. 2 Car side-entry garage plus paved parking and driveway allow for a crowd.
From the fireflies of July to the picnics for 100 this property is made for gatherings. Covered pavilion with concrete floor includes four large picnic tables ready for your next large party or family reunion. Privately tucked in the back corner, the pool is ideal for late night swims under the stars.
Unbelievable Summers
Utility Information
Seller’s Notes
Dr. Tammy L. Gore, Mayor
Things we think are great about our neighborhood:
Fleetwood is a small borough with nearly 4,100 residents, 1,400 homes and is approximately 1- mile square. There are 2 beautiful parks. The smaller of the two is the Locust Street Park, where there are 3 pickleball courts recently installed. The larger, Main Street Park, has a newly built band shell where there are “Sunday Night in the Park” concerts in the summer, the Fleetwood Carnival each July, Homecoming Bon Fire each fall, car shows, Hometown Holiday Tree Lighting, playground, basketball court, pavilions, fitness trail, and many more activities throughout the year.
Fleetwood has its own police department and maintains the oldest (since 1957) regionalized police relationship in the state with neighboring Richmond Township. Police coverage is 24/7/365. The Borough of Fleetwood is very safe and walkable any time of day. There is a walking trail at the Fleetwood Reservoir, Willow Street, for a more challenging walk. The beautiful historic farmhouse at 825 North Richmond Street has a tremendous history. The original builders of the home were owners in the Schaeffer, Merkel Wagon Works, which later became Fleetwood Auto Body and then, Fisher Auto Body before being relocated to Detroit. The Cadillac Fleetwood got its name since it was built here in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania.
Currently, this home is situated between Willow Creek Elementary School and the Fleetwood Area High and Middle Schools. A family with children can walk to school, K-12. This is so important as the children get involved in after-school activities. This home becomes the gathering place for the children and their friends after school and before school functions.
It is a perfect home for entertaining, with a pavilion that holds 4 large picnic tables, an 8-footdeep pool and nearly 2 ½ acres of land to spread out on. With 45 windows, many trees and 5 different porches there is always a nice breeze to enjoy in the summer. The property is surrounded by 10-acres of protected land so there is no worry of additional building. A branch of Willow Creek runs through this protected land that provides much interesting wildlife, including Red-Winged Blackbirds, Herons, Eagles, Hawks, Mallards, Geese, Turtles, Fox, the most amazing display of Lightning Bugs (Fireflies) in July, and much more.
Seller’s Notes Cont.
Improvements made during our ownership:
● Lee Peltier Construction renovated the two front attached bedrooms by installing drywall (2001)
● Lee Peltier Construction repaired upstairs porch (2003 & 2012)
● Fronheiser Pools installed pool and fence (2004) Replaced pool liner (2014). Pool house installed (2004) to protect filter equipment.
● Back Colonial Walking Garden designed by Rexine Krause, Countryside Nursery, and installed by Bob Gore, including brick walking path and patio (2004)
● David Brunner replaced outside stucco in the historically appropriate style for the age of the house (2004)
● AP Merkel sewer line repair from street (2008)
● Lee Peltier Construction renovated the guest room in front of the house. Installed drywall (2009)
● Front of house porch restored by Lee Peltier Construction (2010)
● Batdorf Masons laid a dry-stone wall (2010) separating the upper gardens from the rest of the yard and installed steps
● AP Merkel replaced boiler with a German high efficiency one, including 4 zones (2010)
● Bob Saupee installed gutter guards over 2nd floor porch to protect spouting from leaves (2012)
● Bachman Roofing—new roof on house and pavilion installed (2012) following Hurricane Sandy
● Lee Peltier Construction did master bedroom renovation, building walk-in closet, shoe closet and window seat (2013)
Our Neighbors:
We have fabulous neighbors here. Everyone takes great pride in their properties and home maintenance. We all look out for each other. Most of us have keys to each other’s homes in case of an emergency. We enjoy visiting with each other for games, a swim, picnic, or going out for dinner. It is a pleasure to have neighbors who we call “friends.” We find our Mennonite neighbors to be friendly, talented woodworkers, bakers and farmers, and of cultural interest. There is frequent traffic of horse and buggies, as well as bicycles with girls in long dresses and boys with suspenders and black hats going by the house each day.
School Information:
Fleetwood Area School District includes Maidencreek Township, Blandon, Richmond Township, Virginville, Fleetwood Borough. The Fleetwood Area Middle and High Schools are each one-block from our house and Willow Creek Elementary School is 2-blocks away; all very walkable.
Seller’s Notes Cont.
● Kitchen renovation including removing butcher block countertops and replacing with granite.
Butcher block was converted into kitchen island. Installed tile backsplash and white peasant farm
sink. Replaced dishwasher and refrigerator/freezer with stainless steel (2014)
● Antietem Pump—new pressure tank installed (2020)
● Jay’s Hardwood Floors refinished most floors in the house throughout the years
● Over the years, removed all Victorian floral wallpapers and painted all ceilings and walls.
● The only room not re-done is the master bath.
Special Features of our home:
● Brick exterior with stucco on back and upstairs porch
● 5 porches, including: an upstairs porch, front, side, back and garage.
● A full-size root cellar that remains 55-degrees year-round.
● 2 ½ car garage with upper storage
● Electrical outlets in garage, pavilion and pool area
● 8-foot-deep pool in lagoon shape
● Picnic pavilion that holds 4 large picnic tables and includes an ½ court basketball hoop and quoits pits
● Blueberry bushes, 2 apple trees and asparagus patch
● Colonial perennial walking garden off of back porch with patio area
● Build in fire pit with 3 cement-based benches off of patio area
● Many trees provide shade
● 45-windows in the house
● 2 attics and 2 staircases in house. One of the staircases goes 3-floors to the attic
● Full cement floor basement
● Radon system installed
● 2 window seats (master bedroom and living room)
● Deep windowsills
● Town water and sewer. A well services outside water spigots and pool area
Location:
Fleetwood is surrounded by mostly farmland. There is a great sense of being in the country, but close to so many destinations. It takes less than 2-hours to be in New York City, 1 ½-hours to Philadelphia, 10 minutes to Kutztown, ½-hour to Allentown, 20-minutes to West Reading. The Lehigh Valley International Airport is a 40-minute drive. King of Prussia Super Mall is under an hour. Everything one could need is a short drive away.
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Things to do in Berks County
Allentown and Auburn Railroad: Founded in 2014, the Allentown and Auburn Railroad prides itself in its unique collection of heritage railroad equipment. Boasting 4.5 miles of picturesque
track, the A&A Railroad offers family friendly scenic train rides through the Kutztown countryside.
Bear Creek Mountain Resort: Bear Creek is a year round resort located on over 330 wooded acres in the northern part of Pennsylvania’s Americana Region. The resort offers something for everyone from those looking to relax to those looking for adventure. Whether considering something for your family or a quiet couple’s getaway, the resort is well equipped for every type of guest.
Historic Crystal Cave: Come visit Pennsylvania’s most popular natural attraction. Discovered in 1871 by local farmers William Merkel and John Gehret, Crystal Cave was aptly named for its shining diamond-like calcium crystals that adorn the various formations within the cave. During the months of July – September, the cafe, ice cream parlor, and mini-golf course are also open for visitor’s enjoyment.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary: Watch migrating raptors soar at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, the world’s first refuge for birds of prey. Expanding scientific research and international conservation training, has transformed the Sanctuary into an eco-tourism destination where visitors can hike over 12 miles of trails, and reach heights that provide astounding views of the Berks countryside. Hawk Mountain guides and experts both hold workshops and can be found along the trails to teach about birds of prey, migration, and nature. Included with your trail fee, attend one or several of the informative workshops that Hawk Mountain has to offer.
Blue Marsh Lake Recreation Area: Blue Marsh Lake has become an outdoor recreation hotspot, offering 36 miles of trails with 1,147 acres of water for boating and fishing, and 5000 acres of land containing hiking trails, picnic areas, and a beach and boat launches. Part of the Greater Reading Trail System, the recreation area’s trails are great for biking, walking, hiking, and horseback riding.
The Reading Science Center: The Reading Science center is a first of its kind in Berks County, Pennsylvania. This hands on center is a nonprofit organization that provides inspiration and innovation to young and old minds alike. Their mission is to foster the love of science through exciting and experiential STEM education for the community, especially our youth!
The Reading Pagoda: The Reading Pagoda is a historic landmark and a symbol of the city of Reading. Built as a luxury hotel and resort in 1908, this 10 acre property has sweeping views of the valley and is now a preserved historic site for the public to explore.
The Kutztown Folk Fest: The Kutztown Folk Festival is the oldest continuously operated folklife festival in America. This nine-day event draws visitors from all over the world, entertaining families while providing valuable insight into the traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch and their fascinating way of life.