New London, CT House: Buy it for $1 or $170,000

Want to buy a 140-year-old, 5,000 sq ft home in New London, CT for $1? That’s the deal, according to Hartford, CT television station WFSB.  A church that owns the home is willing to sell it for $1, but you have to move it to a different location. If you don’t want to do that, the asking price is $170,000. Located at 121 Hempstead St, New London, CT,  the home belongs to the Shiloh Baptist Church, which bought it (as a gift, most likely) for $1 back in January, according to records. For architect and history buffs, it’s quite a desirable piece of architecture, with huge windows and a winding staircase. It was even featured in a print edition of This Old House last year. Obviously, it’s in deep need of repair and restoration, but the local preservation society would be tickled if someone saved it.

Another factoid worth sharing: According to WFSB, this home “… sits just a few doors away from another famous landmark: the Suzette Kelo House that was moved from Ft. Trumbull last year.” Remember Kelo v. City of New London, CT? It was an eminent domain thriller that went all the way to the Supreme Court.