Rileys’ home love story also a story of ‘when was it built?’
This is a home love story with a twist asking “how old it is?”
In May of 2016, empty nesters Brad and Marcy Riley found their “perfect home” off Concord Road in Farragut. It was the two-story “Thornton Farm House,” the oldest part of which, they said, is at least appro-aching 112 years old.
“The records only go back to 1905,” Brad said about documents possibly alluding to the age of this now roughly 3,400-square foot home they purchased and moved into last August.
“… You can tell when you walk around the outside of the house what the original part of the farmhouse sat on, which was these big, enormous foundation stones,” he added.
However, “When the actual home was built, we don’t have anything that says when,” Brad said about documenting the house’s age.
“… It was originally part of a 300-and-something acre dairy farm,” he added about the original property, part of which Brad said he “thinks” was sold to build the original Farragut School in 1904 near Concord Road.
One bedroom wall does feature a giant 1895 map of Knox County. “It shows William Doughtys’ name on this property, and we think he’s who built this house and owned it back then. And was the one who sold some of the property originally to Farragut High School,” Brad said.
Ironically, Brad said the couple wanted to “downsize” from their previous 4,300-square foot, three-level home in Fox Run.
“We wanted more property,” said Marcy, who grew up in Village Green and graduated from Farragut High School.
“While just searching the Internet we found this house for sale,” Brad, a native of the Tri-Cities area, said.
“It was exactly what we wanted,” Marcy said. “… We went from three-quarters of an acre to two-and-a-half.”
Even while pulling up the driveway to view the Thornton Farm House for first time, “I’m like, ‘gosh that looks beautiful,’” Marcy said.
“I was like, ‘wholly smoke,’” Brad, a private wealth management consultant, said.
“When we came in, it was like, ‘wow,’ Marcy said. “… Everything we had ever wanted on a wish list, this house had it and then some. And being in Farragut was huge.”
Looking to accommodate Brad’s love of woodworking while having a place to park his grandmother’s “1966 Chevrolet,” the home included “two out-buildings where I could accomplish both,” he said.
The couple said the house has required no remodeling, not even painting, to suit their needs.
“Every owner has done a great job of maintaining this house,” Brad said.
