The Beautiful Houses of Skaneateles

Skaneateles has under ground railroad history.

This house once hid slaves. The house had a "blind cellar", inaccessible unless you knew the secrets, which fooled the authorities. Later this house became a meeting place for people like Charles Sumner and Cassius Clay. The front door is a fine example of a Salem doorway.

This lake house is an entertaining room for....

...this gorgeous house.
This was a rundown farm house a while back.

Now it is a spectacular B&B which my kids and their friends will be staying in when we visit for Dicken's Christmas. No pet's allowed so we will stay in our usual place.

This is the scene across from the B&B. They've planted their own vineyard.

Some of these houses have their own family cemeteries.

This house is presently on the market for $449,000.00 It sits high on a hill and has a fabulous view of the lake.

This one is just across the street from the lake and is listed at $1.2 million.

A lot of these homes have Italianate architecture.

This home sits right at the edge of the lake.

This stately home, of Victorian Cottage architecture, was built in 1883. It was designed by the famous architect Stanford White. The foundation is four feet thick. It has 13 working fireplaces.

Even the more modest houses are well kept and charming.

A perfect rocking chair porch.

Click to enlarge to see the incredible details in the woodworking on this house.

Splendid!

If you look closely you can see that these people lined the top of their front door with pumpkins. Coupled with the mums in the urns it makes for an elegant, simple fall look.

This house is on the market for $499,000.00. The walls are stone and it is trimmed in classic Gothic style.

It sits on 14 beautiful acres.

I love this front door...

..and the columns on the front porch.

****The winner for the Hurd Orchards giveaway is Tori! Thank you all for entering! I will do another giveaway before Thanksgiving!