"If I were writing a book, there would be chapters on humpback whales, kayakers, jigging for cod, swimming in clean, warm freshwater ponds, northern lights, phosphorescence in the harbor and meteor showers. This is an exotic place," says the current owner of Pickersgill Premises—a collection of six historical buildings for sale on Burden's Point in the town of Salvage in Newfoundland, Canada.
"We sit on our front porch to watch the fishing boats return with their catch. It’s always important to see everyone return at the end of the day."
Indeed, we could very happy crafting a simpler life for ourselves in Salvage, which the current owners have been doing seasonally for the past four decades. Each summer, they come to a place that many find to be a respite from the intense heat of the city; here, it’s mild and sunny.
Consisting of two saltbox houses and four outbuildings overlooking the rest of Salvage, its harbor, and the rugged coastline that surrounds it, the Pickersgill Premises is an official Registered Property of Newfoundland and Labrador.
In the early 20th century Burden's Point was a vibrant community whose economy once relied on the salt cod fishery. When the bridge connecting the Point to the rest of Salvage was removed by spring Arctic ice in 1967, most of the residents moved their houses to the other side of the harbor. Today only this property remains on Burden's Point.
The buildings contain what the listing claims to be one the largest collections of vintage and antique furniture in Newfoundland. Although the owners restored the houses themselves, they bought only the occasional piece of furniture—indeed, when they bought it, one of the homes was filled to the brim with the possessions of the family who built in 1912 and lived there for several decades thereafter.
The home still displays their furnishings, tools, utensils, clothes and letters, among other things. "Looking through their possessions is like uncovering an archaeological dig," the owners note.
It would be tough to imagine a more appropriate way to furnish the homes, so we were more than pleased to discover that the contents (yes, everything!) are included in the asking price. The decision was sad for the owners, but they felt it made sense: "They belong more to the houses than to us."
The old outbuildings contain a vast assortment of old fishing, boat-building, and gardening tools.
Even the outhouse is idyllic.
Elsewhere in Salvage, you'll find hiking trails, freshwater ponds, and sandy beaches, and—as the owners remind us—"blueberries, blueberries, blueberries!"
Pinch us, please!
Asking Price: $350,000 (CAD)
For more information, visit the full listing on CIRCA Old Houses.
Elizabeth Finkelstein and her husband, Ethan Finkelstein, are the brains behind the popular Instagram and newsletter Cheap Old Houses. Together, they restore historic homes in HGTV’s series Who’s Afraid of a Cheap Old House? Elizabeth grew up in an 1850s home lovingly restored by her parents, so her love for crown molding and peeling wallpaper runs in her gene pool. She holds a master’s degree in historic preservation and has put in years of professional work restoring old houses. While not filming or nurturing the vast and wonderful @cheapoldhouses community, the couple spends time restoring their own cheap old farmhouse — a little slice of heaven they snagged for a cool $70,000.
