Have you ever pictured yourself living in a beautiful, time-honored house or one of Century Homes? Looking up its mysterious past, wondering about people who lived there, imagining scenarios that took place right there in the living room? If the answer is yes, there’s a perfect place on the internet that might let you vicariously live out your fantasies of owning a property shrouded in secrets.
Enter the subreddit called ‘Century Homes,’ where history fans who value buildings that have reached or exceeded 100 years of age have a place to showcase these wonders. “We enjoy sharing stories and seeking advice to help us be great stewards of our historic homes,” the moderators write in the description.
From breathtaking architecture to pleasantly surprising interior details, members of this online community invite us to admire the facades and take a walk inside their dwellings. We at A&D have collected some of the most stunning and captivating pictures to appreciate, so continue scrolling and upvote your favorite ones!
Psst! If you’re interested in even more buildings that have withstood the test of time, check out our earlier post on the most interesting historical places spotted worldwide. (H/T)
01. Undoing Years Of Paint
02. My Homage To The Wallpapers We’ve Removed
03. We Moved Into Our New Home This Week. Built In 1878
Estimates on square footage vary between 7 and 10k. My family and my sister’s family bought it together so all three generations could be under one roof.
The Century Homes online community has been around for quite some time. Created in 2011, this wholesome and helpful corner of Reddit has already amassed over 114K members at the time of writing.
The page has found the secret to success on the platform because it has become the perfect place for history and architecture lovers to ask for advice, share their insights, and have meaningful discussions about their passion — century-old homes. Many of the posts there provide clever and handy renovation tips accompanied by stunning pictures of Victorian houses and intriguing objects left by the previous owners. It’s hardly surprising that the subreddit grows once you look at these images.
04. We Bought Our First Home, Built Around 1920, And Have Been Slowly Doing Some Work. But I Definitely Would Never Change Our Original Entryway Tile
05. I Was Sorting Through Some Old Brick That Was Left Over From Our 1890s Townhouse And Came Across This
06. San Francisco Victorian Home
Buying a historic home can be a thrilling experience, and the moderators of the subreddit are open to hearing stories and tips from the owners who want to embrace the character of their beautifully crafted dwelling. While they ask to keep the posts related to century homes, they also understand that many systems found in buildings over 100 years old may also be found in newer homes. “For instance, if you have Hydronic Heat in your 50-year-old house — it is ok to post a question here,” they wrote.
Another rule on the subreddit asks users to refrain from sharing excessive sales or self-promotion posts. However, you’re welcome to mention your blog/vlog as you work through renovations on your historical residence, “but MODs have the right to ask you to limit posts or have a cooldown time between posts.”
Moreover, the subreddit has some great resources for those in the market who have just purchased or are already living in a historic home. From contacts for replacement windows to contractors specializing in century homes, be sure to check out their page if you need guidance.
07. Just Closed On This 1920 Craftsman (?). In Great Shape. Just Needs Some Paint And Floor Refinishing Before Moving In
08. Spotted This Door Hardware On An 1880 Home For Sale In Ontario, Canada
09. 1896 Queen Anne. My Dream House We Bought In 2016!
While not everyone has the means to become a steward of a century-old home, that shouldn’t stop you from sharing your love for historic architecture with this online community. Maybe you stumbled upon a charming building while house hunting. Perhaps you know a gorgeous time-honored structure right there in your area. The moderators and the members of this online community enjoy admiring old homes from every corner of the world, so everyone is welcome to share their findings with the group.
10. We Found Some Cat Paw Prints In The Original Concrete In Our 116-Year-Old Home
11. This Is Our House In Regional Victoria (Australia). We Are Slowly Restoring It To Its Former Glory
12. Moved In 2 Months Ago. Decorated The Reception Hall In Our 1908 Home
For those exploring the possibility of buying a house, nothing is more enticing than owning a piece of history. After all, time-honored buildings can provide a tangible link with the past. And as you’re scrolling through this list, you’ll notice just how mesmerizing they look both outside and inside. You’ll also probably realize how important it is to make them functional for future generations and save them before the bulldozer comes knocking.
13. Then And Now Of Our New (To Us) Home. Built In The 1870s, Scotland
14. I Saw This Sign In An Old House Today And Figured You Folks May Get A Kick Out Of It
15. 1925 Eastern Shore Farmhouse: Finally Tore Up Last Owner’s Kitchen Tile, And Look What We Found
We restored original wood floors throughout the house prior ten years back, but this floor (and its condition) was a very welcome surprise.
If you wish to pursue living in one of these beauties, it might be daunting to know that restoring your little slice of history is far from a small undertaking. Dealing with old structures and building materials requires extra care and knowledge because old houses can sometimes be full of surprises. However, when a renovation is done right, all worries quickly fade when you’re left with a dreamy home.
16. Our 1885 Door That Needed Desperate Love. The Finished Result Blows Us Away!
17. Woodwork And Lighting In Our 1896 Tudor-Ish
18. Pink Grey Victorian House
Scott Sidler, the owner of a historical restoration company and founder of The Craftsman Blog, suggested taking the “house sandwich” approach to remodeling. “Start with the roof and make sure it’s not leaking, and after that, focus on the foundation to make sure it’s solid,” Sidler told Apartment Therapy.
“It may be out of level, but as long as it isn’t continuing to settle, you’re good. Then focus on everything in between.” That involves taking care of siding, windows, doors, and the interior. “After the house’s envelope is in good shape, then you can move to the inside and take your time with remodels since you’ve got a protective shell,” Sidler added.
19. Before And After. Why Would Anyone Paint These!?
20. One Of The Most Gosh Dang Beautiful Homes In The Area
21. My 1450s House
Moreover, purchasing and living in an old house is a commitment. “If you’re going to buy a historic house because you love the old wavy glass windows and the spirit of the floors, you must understand that you’re not going to be able to have some of the creature comforts that come with 21st century living,” interior designer and architect Steven Gambrel told Curbed.
“I would do anything on earth to maintain that wavy glass in the windows, even if it means having a drafty room,” Gambrel said. “I would just put on another sweater. But, if you’re not that person, that’s not the right house for you.”
22. Closing In A Month! 1932 Tudor, First Time Home Owners. Lots Of Work To Be Done, But We’re So Excited!
23. The Staircase In My Parents’ 1890 Queen Anne Victorian Home (Illinois)
24. 1500’s Fireplace Surround In My 1640’s Cottage
25. Our House Was Built In 1844 And Is On Our County’s Underground Railroad Map. The Original Owners Were Abolitionists And Held Regular Meetings Here. The Tale From The Historical Society Is That This Capped Off Tunnel In The Basement Was For Escape. It Currently Goes Back 10-12 Feet
The original owners were abolitionists and held regular meetings here. The tale from the historical society is that this capped-off tunnel in the basement was for escape. It currently goes back 10-12 feet.
26. Mexia, TX
27. This Beautiful Home Was Restored In Brush Park, Detroit MI
28. Found A Suitcase In A Wall; This Is The Contents
29. We Bought A Ridiculous And Amazing House From 1891
30. If You Want To Move To Southern Illinois For Only $235,000, This 1899 Beauty Could Be Yours!
31. The View Straight Through
32. Stripped The Paint From The Hardware On My First Of Four Doors. I Believe They’re Original To Our 1912 House
33. Our New-To-Us 1912 Foursquare Has Hundreds Of Old Books In The Attic
34. The C1600s House We Moved Into Has An Old Fashioned Bread Oven Built Into Fire Place (Kent, UK)
35. Spadina House – Witch’s House In Beverly Hills
36. Plate Warmer Radiator In Our 1888 Home
37. Recently Moved In This 1917 Craftsman. Our Dream Home
38. Gable Front And Wing Folk House, New Jersey. The House Was Built In 1853, Shortly After The Completion Of The Jersey Central Railroad. We Are So Fortunate To Call It Home!
39. Our Gate Lodge – 1790, Scotland
40. When You Pull Up Nasty Carpet And Find The Original 1941 Hardwood
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