The Queen Anne House That Stole Our Hearts But Didn’t Become Our Home

Before Dan and I ever packed a single box for Georgia, we spent months turning over the idea of buying an old house somewhere else in the South. We wanted character, history, and a project we could grow into together.

In one of the old-house groups I mentioned in my last post, a listing suddenly floated across my screen that made both of us stop what we were doing. 

It was the Dr. William Long House, a Queen Anne-style Victorian in Graham, North Carolina, built with all the charm that only the 1800s could offer.

Even through the screen, it felt like the kind of home that whispered stories. I remember calling out, “Dan, you need to see this,” and within seconds he was beside me saying exactly what I was thinking: This one feels special.

A House Wrapped in History

The Dr. William Long House sits on 200 Albright Avenue, right on a quiet corner shaded by huge, mature trees. 

Built in the late 1800s and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it carries details that simply don’t exist in modern construction anymore. 

The wraparound porch curves gently around the exterior like a warm embrace, and from the drone photos we could see how the deep red roof peeked between tree canopies like a secret waiting to be told.

Inside, the house stretches out to almost 3,000 square feet, with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two front living areas that could easily become offices, studios, or playrooms depending on the season of life. 

The original shiplap walls, mantels, and fireplaces remain intact, giving each room a sense of quiet authenticity. Even empty, the place didn’t feel lifeless. It felt paused, as if waiting for the right hands to bring it forward.

Walking through the photos, then the videos, then a virtual tour provided by the agent, I felt like I already knew the house. Even the worn parts made it charming. 

The floors were scratched in a way that told the truth about more than a century of footsteps. The staircase carried the perfect amount of scuff that made you imagine children racing down on Christmas morning.

In every corner, the house held a little surprise. Glass-front cabinets that once displayed fine china. 

A bright dining room with a mantle begging for holiday garlands. Ceilings tall enough to remind you that people once built with air and patience rather than square footage and efficiency.

And of course, the location was wonderful too, within minutes of Historic Downtown Graham, local cafés, the old Graham Cinema, and only a short hop to I-40. It checked almost every box.

The House That Made Us Fall Even More in Love

The Porch: Where the House Truly Spoke to Us

The wraparound porch was the very first feature that made us lean in a little closer. Something about it felt calm and familiar, almost as if we had sat there before. 

The original posts were still carved with the delicate patterns that Victorian builders loved with simple curves, little flourishes, and the kind of workmanship you can’t buy in a store today.

The floorboards told their age quietly. Some planks had softened over decades of rainy mornings and long summers. 

Also, the beadboard ceiling, painted white, glowed gently in the natural light. Even the old wooden bench carried a story in its worn seat.

The First Living Room: Warm Wood and a Fireplace Full of Stories

One of the first rooms we clicked into showed a space wrapped in glowing wooden walls with a bright white mantle standing proudly at the center. Even through photographs you could sense the warmth. 

The fireplace didn’t feel decorative; it felt lived-in, the kind of mantel that once displayed family photos, holiday candles, maybe even a long row of Christmas stockings.

The ceiling, also wood, was one of my favorite features. It made the room feel grounded, almost cabin-like, yet still refined. 

The floors carried the marks of time in the most beautiful way, softening the edges of the room rather than distracting from them.

The Second Living Space: Airy, Bright, and Full of Potential

Another room, painted entirely in white shiplap, felt lighter and more open, almost like a summer room. The built-in cabinet with its glass doors immediately caught my eye. 

I imagined stacking old dishes inside, maybe even displaying the kind of mismatched china I’ve collected over the years. 

The extra mantle in this room reminded me that homes built in the 1800s understood comfort differently. Fireplaces weren’t just aesthetic, they were lifelines in cold months.

The Hallway and Staircase: A Moment That Stopped Us Both

Then came the hallway and staircase, probably the image that made my heart tighten the most. The long hallway, painted white, held a row of vintage portraits that must have belonged to previous generations.

The staircase itself told another story: the worn blue paint on each step, the sculpted white balusters, the mix of original wood and painted trim. 

Nothing was perfect and that was the beauty. You could practically hear footsteps that lived there long before us.

Why We Didn’t Buy It (Even Though We Loved It)

I always want to be honest with you, especially for those dreaming of buying or restoring an old home someday. Loving a house and buying a house are two very different things, and this one taught us that clearly.

After weeks of research, long conversations, and one nearly sleepless night, we decided not to move forward. Here are the real reasons:

1. The price was out of reach.

The listing hovered around one million dollars, which isn’t shocking for a historic property of this scale, but it was too large of an investment for us considering the projects still required. 

We wanted a restoration, not a financial burden that would keep us from actually enjoying the home.

2. The restoration costs would stack quickly.

Old homes are beautiful, but they aren’t shy about what they need. Electrical, plumbing, foundation questions, porch repair, paint, landscaping, and the unknown issues that always come with a house of this age we had to be realistic. 

Loving history is important but staying financially grounded is more important.

3. The distance didn’t fit our lives.

From Georgia, the drive to Graham, NC is long enough that we couldn’t realistically manage the renovation while balancing work and daily life. 

We wanted a home we could be present for, not one that required managing contractors from hours away.

4. Investment wasn’t our true motivation.

For a moment we considered purchasing it partly as an investment property, but both Dan and I knew in our hearts that wasn’t why we were drawn to this house. 

We didn’t want to turn a piece of history into a transaction. If we bought something like this, it needed to be because we were ready to live in it fully.

What This House Taught Us

Even though we didn’t buy it, the Dr. William Long House became an important chapter in our journey toward finding our current home in Georgia. 

It taught us to really look beyond beauty and emotion when considering an older property. It also proved something I now tell anyone dreaming of an old house:

Loving historic charm is only one part of the equation. Practicality keeps you afloat.

So here is my advice after going through this process:

• Know your financial boundaries before falling in love. Old houses will always surprise you, and surprises are expensive.
• Be realistic about distance. Restoration requires presence. If you can’t be there regularly, your stress will double.
• Picture your daily life inside the home, not just the photos. Emotion gets you through the door. Lifestyle keeps you in it.
• Listen to your instincts. We knew we adored the house, but something quieter told us it wasn’t ours.

If any of you are in the process of searching for an old home, or dreaming of one someday, feel free to ask me anything. 

I’m still learning, but I’m always happy to share the lessons, the surprises, and the beautiful realities that come with chasing a little piece of history.