About 389 Summerville Road
A letter from the sellers:
When we bought Lawson Farms in 2015, we knew we were becoming part of something special.
This historic Smiths Station home, once owned by local author Caroline Lawson Ivey (1912–1972), has a story as rich as its setting. Ivey, who wrote The Family in the Library, was a Lee County native educated at what is now Auburn University. She taught in local schools before turning to writing, and her quiet creativity still seems to linger within the walls. In recognition of her lifelong dedication to education and the arts, the Caroline Ivey Memorial Foundation was later established in her name to provide grants for aspiring middle and secondary teachers.
Originally built as a four-room dogtrot in the 1890s, the home has grown gracefully over time. In the 1950s, a grand Southern staircase and second floor were added, and in the 1970s, a downstairs bedroom with a private porch and morning room expanded the living space. Many original features remain intact, including the heart-pine floors and tall sash windows. A charming dumbwaiter in the library, once used to bring coal up from the basement to one of the home’s three fireplaces, and the hand-carved crown molding stand as reminders of the home’s enduring craftsmanship. Beneath what is now the enclosed porch lies the original well, connecting the home’s present comfort to its self-sustaining past.
The property also includes a collection of historic outbuildings that reflect its working farm heritage. Among them are a traditional smokehouse, a 2,000-square-foot milking barn, a control shed with full electrical connections, and a lambing shed, each contributing to the story of the land. A former farmworker’s cottage still stands on the property, full of character and potential for thoughtful restoration. Together, these structures offer a rare glimpse into the history of Alabama farm life and create a setting that beautifully balances history, authenticity, and opportunity.
Historic photographs of Lawson Farms and its surrounding acreage are preserved in Auburn University’s digital collections, a testament to the property’s lasting place in Lee County’s story. For us, Lawson Farms has been more than a house; it has been a home filled with warmth, history, and the quiet beauty of a life well lived.
Appraisal on file for $525,000 performed by Rick Norris June 2025. Instant equity!!
Would be perfect for a wedding venue or a bed & breakfast!!!!
