960 Cumberland Road, Chattanooga, TN 37419 (MLS# 1203539)

A once in a lifetime opportunity to own a piece of history. From the timeless architecture to the unparalleled views, this home will not disappoint. A majestic castle prominently placed on six acres at the crown of Elder Mountain is held in high regard by locals who say the views of the valley, the Tennessee River Gorge and Chattanooga are without a doubt ''the best in town.'' Conveniently located less than 12 minutes from the downtown district of Chattanooga, the prestigious Elder Mountain gated community offers 24 hour attendant service. The home sits on the highest point of Elder Mountain with an elevation of 1860 feet. It can be seen from the city of Chattanooga appearing as an ancient rock castle set on the bluff of the high mountain. A truly exclusive feature is the completely re

Supplements: 60' stone observation tower which offers a wide panorama that encompasses views from four states - Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina. All of the building materials for the home were sourced from the mountain. Native rock and boulders form the face of the mountain wall. Timber from local White Oak forests was used for construction. The Elder Estate was strategically built to follow the natural ridge line of the mountain. Privacy is guaranteed by design. The 82 year old property has only three previous owners. In 1921 the Elders purchased thousands of acres of virgin forest atop Raccoon Mountain and legally renamed it ''Elder Mountain''. The Elder House, as it was formally known, was completed in 1923. After a residence of 37 years, the property was sold to the MacDonald family. Being in the construction business, the MacDonalds expanded the main house adding garages and another private residence. The Krishock family purchased the home in 2004 and conducted a ground-up restoration, bringing all rooms back to their original beauty. They allowed the grounds to return to their organic and natural state, preserving a bit of nature with natural boulders and rock gardens inviting an abundance of wildlife. The oldest documented gingko tree in the state of Tennessee serves as an amazing centerpiece for the landscape. The historic all-stone exterior is crowned with a Spanish Barrel tile roof. The home is surrounded with open air patios to provide optimum outdoor entertaining. There are multiple tiered outdoor seating areas to maximize the views from every angle. A flagstone path leads to the front door of this private retreat with old world charm. The home immediately gives you a gratifying welcome with exposed stone walls, arches, solid oak vaulted ceilings, slate floors, lovely stained glass windows, wrought iron chandeliers and hardware, and a wide gentle curved staircase. Call for a complete and extensive list of features and amenities. A home of this grandeur would be truly impossible to replicate today.