For buyers who love historic architecture and aren’t afraid of a renovation project, this Decatur, Illinois, property offers an unusual amount of space and character.
Located at 300 W Prairie Ave, the approximately 139-year-old home is listed at around $68,000 and offers roughly 3,500 square feet, four bedrooms, and three bathrooms.
But the numbers tell only part of the story.
Inside are oversized doors, traditional rooms, pocket doors, a finished attic, and an extraordinary seven fireplaces—features that would be difficult and expensive to reproduce in a modern home.
Nearly 3,500 Square Feet of Space
The two-story layout follows a more traditional floor plan.
A front foyer leads into several generously sized rooms, including a living room, front room, large great room, formal dining room, kitchen with pantry, and an office.
That gives a future owner considerable flexibility.
One room could become a library or music room, while another could serve as a dedicated home office. The formal dining room and great room provide additional space for gatherings and everyday living.
Upstairs are four spacious bedrooms and a full bathroom.
Details That Reveal the Home’s Age
The architecture is where the property becomes particularly interesting.
Some interior doors reportedly stand more than eight feet tall, while traditional pocket doors allow rooms to be separated without sacrificing floor space.
These aren’t merely decorative details.
When preserved and restored carefully, original woodwork, doors, fireplaces, and similar features can maintain the character that attracts people to historic homes in the first place.
Modernizing everything doesn’t necessarily mean removing everything old.
Seven Fireplaces Under One Roof
Perhaps the most remarkable feature is the presence of seven fireplaces.
They could become striking focal points throughout the house, especially if original mantels and surrounding details remain intact.
However, their appearance shouldn’t be confused with confirmed functionality.
Before attempting to use an old fireplace, buyers would need professional inspections of the fireplaces and chimneys. Historic systems can require substantial restoration before they’re safe to operate.
There’s Even More Space Upstairs
The home also includes a finished attic.
With an appropriate heat source and any required upgrades or approvals, the space could potentially serve as an office, studio, recreation room, storage area, or another flexible space.
Its actual permitted use would need to be confirmed before treating it as additional living space.
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