Carroll County • Galax, Virginia
Auction
Cliffside Mansion & Cottages
216± Acre Country Estate Offered in 17 Tracts
Sold
506 Cliffview Road, Galax, Virginia 24333
Guaranteed to Sell Over $699,000
This historic farm was built by Thomas L. Felts of the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency. He built his “Cliffside” residence in Galax, Virginia in 1902. Much of the original estate is just like it was over 100 years ago. This Victorian Manor house offers 6 bedrooms and 4 ½ baths, expansive porches and is complemented by several one and two bedroom cottages nearby. The home has been maintained in excellent condition and offers endless uses and potential. The New River Trail State Park has over 57 miles of recreational trails stretching from Galax to Pulaski. The Cliffside property offers long frontage on the New River Trail State Park as well as Chestnut Creek, which is a tributary to the New River and is stocked with trout. There are multiple “original” barns and out buildings throughout the property. A covered picnic shelter and three cottages are only a few steps away from the Chestnut Creek and the New River Trail. The possibilities are limitless with the multitude of uses this property offers. This property will be offered in 17 tracts. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to purchase part or all of this beautiful estate and all of the history that goes with it.
History of Thomas L. Felts
Original Residence of Cliffside Estates
The Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency
The Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency was founded by William G. Baldwin in the early 1890’s. The agency was originally founded in Charleston, WV and moved his business to Roanoke, Virginia to oversee all of Norfolk Western railroad security. William hired Thomas L. Felts as a partner with is agency. Thomas was a lawyer and a native of Galax, Virginia. William hired Felts to provide legal advice for the firm and by 1910 they formed the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency.
The company primarily started off providing railways with security and armed guards. They provided investigative and security services against train robberies, train accidents and other crimes. This eventually led the company to providing detective work at the state and federal levels.
The Baldwin-Felts were best known for the crime stopping heroism against the infamous Allen Family of Carroll County. Members of the Allen Family were wanted for a courthouse shootout in 1912 in Hillsville, Virginia that left a Judge, Sheriff, Prosecutor & juror member dead. The Baldwin-Felts agency intervened (Led by Thomas Felt) and the agency was able to locate and arrest all of the fugitives.
The Baldwin-Felts Agency was also involved in the famous Matewan Massacre in West Virginia where seven Baldwin-Felts Agents were killed including two of Thomas Felts own brothers. The shootings were led by Matewan’s Chief of Police Sid Hatfield.
Mourning the loss of his men and two brothers, Thomas Felts and his desire for vengeance brought sweet revenge just one year later. As Sid Hatfield approached the top of the courthouse steps for his hearing, Baldwin-Felts agents opened fired and killed Sid Hatfield. All agents claimed self defense and no charges were filed. Thomas Felts had gotten his revenge.
As railroad crimes decreased in the early 1900’s, the Baldwin-Felts Agency started to do work in the mining industry. The Mining Companies would hire the agency to maintain law & order for mining management disputes, provide intelligence from the unions and suppress strikes. The Baldwin-Felts agents became the “muscle” for the mining companies for many years.
William G. Baldwin went on to work in the Financial Industry. He served as bank president, as well as, board member for several different banks. Thomas L. Felts was also involved in banking and served as the president of First National Bank of Galax. He was later elected as a Virginia State Senator. William G. Baldwin dies at the age of 75 in 1936. Thomas L. Felts died a year later at the age of 69. He owned several farms during his life and was known as a very “public-spirited” man who was very caring for his community.
Thomas L. Felts built his “Cliffside” residence in Galax, Virginia in 1902 and the Victorian mansion & cottages including the incredible 216± acre farm that surrounds it is being offered at public auction on Friday November 9, 2012. This historic Victorian manor house offers 6 bedrooms and 4 ½ baths, expansive porches and is complemented by several one and two bedroom cottages nearby. The home has been maintained in excellent condition and offers endless uses and potential. The New River Trail State Park has over 57 miles of recreational trails stretching from Galax to Pulaski. The Cliffside property offers long frontage on the New River Trail State Park as well as Chestnut Creek, which is a tributary to the New River and is stocked with trout. There are multiple “original” barns and out buildings throughout the property. A covered picnic shelter and three cottages are only a few steps away from the Chestnut Creek and the New River Trail.
The possibilities are limitless with the multitude of uses this property offers. This property will be offered in 17 tracts. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to purchase part or all of this beautiful estate and all of the history that goes with it.
Cliffside Eligible Tax Credit Information
This property is potentially eligible for the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places and may qualify for state and federal rehabilitation tax credits. For more information regarding these programs, contact Julie Langan at Julie.langan@dhr.virginia.gov or (804) 482-6087. Information regarding registration and tax credits can be found at www.dhr.virginia.gov.
Photos
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Aerial Photography
Boundaries are Approximate
| Tract | Acreage (±) | Description |
| 1 | 1.374 | 2 cottages walking distance to trail |
| 2 | 1.387 | Cottage (old scale house), fronts trail |
| 3 | 7.774 | Open land, white pines, great bldg. sites, fronts trail |
| 4 | 6.681 | 3- barns, open land, white pines, fronts trail, barns easily converted to horse barns with trail access |
| 5 | 5.590 | Open land, white pines, trail frontage, great bldg. sites |
| 6 | 3.432 | Great bldg. sites, trail frontage |
| 7 | 8.169 | T.L. Felts 1902 Victorian Manson, 2- cottages, 3- barns. Trail frontage. This is a once in your lifetime property, great B&B potential, recreational potential on the trail, weddings or functions. |
| 8 | 9.594 | High knoll with big expansive views, open land, white pines and trail frontage |
| 9 | 23.679 | Combination of open and wooded land, long range views, great bldg. sites, farm land or recreational land, fronts trail |
| 10 | 24.751 | Open and wooded land, great views and old pond site, joins trail |
| 11 | 29/495 | Open land and white pine plantation, great bldg. sites, views! |
| 12 | 28.584 | Open land and white pines, nice large tract that fronts the trail |
| SPECIAL! Here you have it, trail access to you private Chestnut Creek frontage Check these out! Buy them separate or group them with whatever you like. | ||
| 13 | 6.182 | |
| 14 | 3.165 | |
| 15 | 2.811 | |
| 16 | 4.538 | |
| 17 | 39.209 | This beautiful property is located in the City of Galax. It joins Chestnut Creek and offers fantastic elevated building sites. |
Personal Property
AUCTION Sale Changes
Thursday NOV 8, 10am All Personal Property will be sold- EXCEPT-Items in all cottages and manor house will be sold FRIDAY NOV 9 AFTER the real estate sells. Real Estate will begin at 12pm Friday Nov 9. The brochure says sale starts at 10am Friday and it will not start till 12pm Noon. After real estate has been sold, we will sell the remaining items in manor house and cottages. All personal property items sold Friday have to be removed by no later than 7pm.
Sale Held On-Site (Tract 7)
Personal Property Auction on Thursday, November 8 will include:
Contents of the barns: All of the large barns are full of personal property including; dressers, coffee tables, end tables, china cabinets, decorative pieces, wooden chairs, baskets, boxes, lumber, wire. Any remaining gardening and farming tools, gas and charcoal outdoor pig/chicken cooker grill on trailer. These barns have an assortment of old and new items, but believe me, there is something for everyone and it will be sold. This is a large estate/farm. So you know the barns are full. Come and see the treasures inside.
Collector automobile: 1955 Mercedes 190 sedan (this car has been barn kept and under cover, ready to restore!)
Weight Room: Weight machines, tread mills, free weights, dumbbells, punching bag, basketball items and sports equipment.
Halloween Decorations: Assortment of Stuffed Halloween Figurines (These have been graciously donated to the City of Galax for Halloween decorations for years and now is your chance to own one or all) If you are from Galax, you know that Becky always decorates for the holidays and most of her prized decorations for all seasons will be in this sale. Don’t miss your chance!
Friday, November 9
Auction:
12:00 Noon – Real Estate Auction.
Following the Real Estate, all of the remaining personal property in the house and cottages will be sold. If you buy one of these properties, you will have the chance to purchase the larger furniture items such as beds, chairs, couches, coffee tables and end tables, etc. This way you can keep what you want intact.
YouTube
Directions
Directions: From I-77 at exit 14, take Hwy 58 west for 9 miles and turn right on Country Club Lane. Go 3/10th of a mile and turn left on Glendale Road. Go 8/10th of a mile and turn right on Cliffview Road. Proceed ½ a mile to property on the right, just past the New River Trail. Property address is: 506 Cliffview Rd, Galax, VA 24333.
Documents
Survey Tracts 1-16
Survey Tract 17
Sales Map
Personal Property List (Updated 10/23/2012)
Aerial
Sales Map Over Topo
Sales Map Over Aerial
Title Commitment
Tax Cards
Land Use Guidelines
Covenants & Restrictions
Preliminary Bidder Packet
Auction Real Estate Sales Agreement
For Financing Needs - Please Contact
Farm Credit & Country Mortgages
Joey Cornwell
Rocky Mount 540-483-4572 x 5912
Roanoke 540-977-5707 x 5912
ocornwell@agfirst.com
Broker Participation for Real Estate
Any broker actively licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia whose agent properly registers the successful high bidder will be paid a two percent (2%) commission at settlement by the Seller. Registration must be on a Woltz & Associates, Inc. Broker Participation Application form and contain the name, address and signature of agent and prospect as well as Broker’s license number and Federal Tax ID number. The form must be received in the office of Woltz & Associates, Inc. by 12:00 noon on November 7, 2012. If prospect attends preview, agent must attend with prospect. Additionally, agent must attend sale and co-register with prospect on auction day. Only the first broker to register the high bidder will be paid a commission. Agents acting as principals, on behalf of licensed real estate agents, family members, entities in which they hold an ownership interest or who represent prospects who have had prior contact with seller or auction company are not eligible. Only one registered bidder per agent. Broker Participation Form
Basic Terms & Conditions
REGISTRATION: Bids will be accepted only from registered bidders. Registration begins at 9:00 AM both days. Please bring a driver’s license for identification.
AUCTION SALE: All personal property will be sold absolute to the high bidder. All bidders are responsible for determining the age, description and condition of all items purchased and should inspect before bidding. All property is sold “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Potential bidders should perform such independent inspection, investigation, inquiries and due diligence with respect to the property as they deem necessary or appropriate. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. Real Estate Sale will be sold subject to seller confirmation and once the combined total passes $699,000, the property will be sold to the highest bidder.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Announcements day of sale take precedence over all prior communications, verbal and written, concerning this sale.
BIDDING: The auctioneer will determine all bid increments. All decisions by the auctioneer regarding bid acceptance are final.
FINANCING: Your bidding and purchase of the property is not conditional upon financing. Be sure you have arranged financing, if needed, and are capable of paying cash at closing.
BUYER’S PREMIUM: A Buyer’s Premium will be charged. The Buyer’s Premium on real estate is five percent (5%) of the high bid amount. The Buyer’s Premium on personal property is ten percent (10%) of the high bid amount. The Buyer’s Premium is added to the high bid amount to determine the contract sale price.
DEPOSIT ON REAL ESTATE: A deposit in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the contract sale price (high bid plus Buyer’s Premium) will be required on day of sale. The deposit is payable by cashier’s check or pre-approved personal check made payable to Woltz & Associates, Inc. Escrow Account. Personal checks will be approved if the Buyer presents, at time of registration, a letter from its bank stating that the Buyer is a customer of the bank and that the account on which the check is drawn is in good standing.
CLOSING DATE FOR REAL ESTATE: The balance of the purchase price is due at settlement on or before Thursday, December 27, 2012.
TRANSFER OF TITLE: The real estate will be conveyed by general warranty deed free and clear of liens subject, however, to any applicable recorded easements, conditions and restrictions.
PAYMENT FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY: All personal property must be paid for in full on the day of the auction by cash, pre-approved personal check or business check made payable to Woltz & Associates, Inc. NOTE: If you buy both real estate and personal property and pay by check, two checks will be required: one for the real estate deposit and one for payment of the personal property.
REMOVAL OF PERSONAL PROPERTY: Personal property becomes the responsibility of the high bidder at the time of the sale. The Auction Company does not provide equipment or labor for removal of items purchased. No items may be removed from the premises until payment in full is received. Personal property may be removed until 7:00 PM on both sale days. Buyers are responsible for removing all equipment and personal property in a professional and workman-like manner without causing any damage to the real estate or any other personal property.
AGENCY: THE AUCTION COMPANY AND ITS REPRESENTATIVES REPRESENT THE SELLER.
BIDDER PACKETS: Bidder Packets and inventory lists will be available at the previews and online.
WEB SITE: Go to www.woltz.com for additional photographs and other information about the property.
GENERAL: The information contained in this brochure is subject to verification by all parties relying on it. No liability for its accuracy, error, or omission is assumed by the Seller or the Auction Company.
Contact
For more information, please contact Russell Seneff (VA# 1185), David Boush (VA# 3941) or Jim Woltz (VA# 825).
Phone Number: (540) 342-3560 or 800-551-3588
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