Welcome to Adorable Living Spaces. Today we are featuring a truly unusual recreational property at 5 Ford Hill Rd in Coudersport, Pennsylvania, where a former 1889 schoolhouse has been transformed into a well-maintained country camp.
Listed for $175,000, the property offers approximately 600 square feet of living space with 1 bedroom and 1 full bathroom. A loft has also been arranged to provide additional sleeping space for hunters, anglers, campers, and other outdoor visitors.
The setting is a major part of the appeal. The 1.15-acre property includes a spring-fed pond, stream, landscaped grounds, country views, a covered outdoor area, and 2 outbuildings for equipment and recreational gear.
Inside, a fireplace, wood stove, and natural gas heating provide several options for staying comfortable during colder weather. For someone searching for a small Pennsylvania hunting camp, fishing retreat, weekend getaway, or historic property with character, this former schoolhouse offers something distinctly different.
| Property Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Price | $175,000 |
| Address | 5 Ford Hill Rd, Coudersport, PA 16915 |
| Bedrooms | 1 |
| Bathrooms | 1 full |
| Living area | 600 sqft |
| Lot size | 1.15 acres |
| Year built | 1889 |
| Property type | Residential / Former Schoolhouse Camp |
| Heating | Fireplace(s), Natural Gas, Wood, Wood Stove |
| Cooling | None |
| Water | Artesian Well |
| Sewer | Private Sewer, In-Ground Leach/Drain Field |
| Roof | Metal, Shingle |
| Foundation | Stone |
| Views | Rural Views, Pond and Stream |
1889 Former Schoolhouse With Historic Character
Built in 1889, this property has a history that immediately distinguishes it from a conventional Pennsylvania cabin or recreational camp.
The building originally served as a schoolhouse and has since been adapted for recreational use while retaining the simple character associated with an older rural structure.
With approximately 600 square feet of living space, the building is relatively compact, which could make it easier to maintain as a seasonal getaway than a much larger country residence.
Its age is also an important consideration, however, and buyers should approach the property as a 19th-century structure that may have very different construction methods and maintenance requirements from a modern cabin.
1 Bedroom Plus Loft Sleeping Space
The official layout includes 1 bedroom and 1 full bathroom, making the property suitable for a couple, individual owner, or small group.
Additional sleeping capacity is provided by the loft area, which has been set up to accommodate multiple hunters, anglers, campers, and other outdoor adventurers.
That flexibility could make the property particularly useful during hunting season, fishing trips, or weekends when family members and friends visit.
Because the loft is being used for sleeping, buyers should verify its access, ceiling height, ventilation, structural condition, emergency egress, and whether it is legally recognized as habitable sleeping space.
Fireplace, Wood Stove and Natural Gas Heat
The camp provides multiple heating options, an important feature for a property located in northern Pennsylvania.
Heating includes a fireplace, wood stove, wood heat, and natural gas, giving owners several ways to warm the relatively compact 600-square-foot interior.
The fireplace and wood stove also contribute to the traditional camp atmosphere and could be particularly enjoyable during fall hunting trips and cold winter weekends.
There is no cooling system listed, and buyers should have the fireplace, chimney, wood stove, natural gas equipment, ventilation, and carbon-monoxide protection inspected before relying on them for regular use.
Spring-Fed Pond, Stream and Artesian Well
Water is a particularly notable part of this property, beginning with the spring-fed pond highlighted in the listing description.
Zillow’s property information also identifies both pond and stream waterfront features, adding more natural character to the relatively compact 1.15-acre tract.
The listing description states that an artesian well serves as the property’s water source, providing an established private water supply rather than relying on municipal service.
Buyers should independently test the well water and investigate the condition, flow, drainage, and maintenance requirements of the pond and stream, particularly if they intend to make changes near the water.
1.15 Acres, Covered Outdoor Space and 2 Outbuildings
The former schoolhouse sits on approximately 1.15 acres, providing enough outdoor space for a private recreational setting without requiring the maintenance of a large farm or hunting tract.
The property is described as well maintained and landscaped, with views that become especially attractive as the surrounding countryside changes during fall.
A covered outdoor area provides a protected place to sit outside and enjoy the property during different weather conditions.
There are also 2 outbuildings for storing lawn equipment, tools, fishing gear, hunting supplies, outdoor furniture, and other recreational equipment that might otherwise occupy valuable interior space.
Hunting, Fishing and Four-Season Recreation
The property is clearly designed around outdoor recreation, with the loft specifically arranged for hunters, anglers, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts.
While 1.15 acres is not enough to assume this is a substantial private hunting tract, the cabin could serve as a comfortable base for exploring recreational opportunities throughout the surrounding Coudersport region.
The spring-fed pond and stream also add to the outdoor setting and may be especially appealing to buyers who simply want a quiet place to relax near water.
Anyone purchasing primarily for hunting or fishing should independently research nearby public lands, waterways, access rules, licenses, seasons, and regulations rather than assuming those activities are available directly on or from the property.
Stone Foundation, Private Sewer and Rural Systems
The former schoolhouse sits on a stone foundation with crawl-space construction, reflecting the building’s considerable age.
Exterior materials include metal siding, while roofing is identified as a combination of metal and shingle materials.
Wastewater is handled through a private sewer system with an in-ground leach/drain field, another important component that should be understood before purchasing.
The property also includes a gas water heater. Buyers should verify the condition and capacity of the private sewer, water-heating equipment, plumbing, electrical service, water supply, and other utility systems to determine whether they are appropriate for the intended level of occupancy.
Due Diligence Before Buying
Because the building dates to 1889, buyers should arrange a comprehensive inspection of the stone foundation, crawl space, structural framing, roof, metal siding, windows, doors, floors, walls, loft, fireplace, chimney, wood stove, natural gas equipment, plumbing, and electrical system.
A property of this age can potentially contain lead-based paint, asbestos-containing materials, outdated wiring, older plumbing, insufficient insulation, wood deterioration, moisture intrusion, or modifications completed before modern building codes. These possibilities should be investigated rather than assumed.
The artesian well and private sewer system also deserve professional evaluation. Water quality and supply should be tested, while the leach/drain field and other wastewater components should be located, inspected, and reviewed for maintenance history and capacity.
Buyers should additionally confirm the 1.15-acre boundaries, survey information, legal access, easements, permits, insurance requirements, property taxes, and the legal status of the former schoolhouse conversion and sleeping loft. The pond, stream, 2 outbuildings, and any personal property expected to remain should also be clearly documented before closing.
Final Thoughts
At $175,000, 5 Ford Hill Rd offers something considerably more distinctive than an ordinary small cabin in Pennsylvania.
The 1889 former schoolhouse provides approximately 600 square feet with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, loft sleeping space, fireplace, wood stove, natural gas heat, and an artesian well, combining historic character with practical recreational features.
Outside, the 1.15-acre property includes a spring-fed pond, stream, landscaped grounds, covered outdoor space, 2 outbuildings, and attractive country views, creating a setting built around spending time outdoors.
For someone searching for a Pennsylvania hunting camp, fishing getaway, historic schoolhouse property, small country cabin, or four-season recreational retreat near Coudersport, this unusual property offers a combination of history, water features, utilities, and rural character that is difficult to replicate.
If you need more info, contact the listing agent from the Zillow link below the photos.
Listed on Zillow