At the Crossroads of History & Charm: Step Inside One of Bluemont’s Most Iconic Cottages
- Chloē Powell, REALTOR®

- Oct 6
- 4 min read
On a quiet stretch of Railroad Street in Bluemont, Virginia, where time seems to slow, and the mountains cradle a village rich in charm, sits a cottage that tells a story few homes can.
Welcome to 18344 Railroad Street, a radiant jewel box tucked into the heart of one of Loudoun County’s most beloved historic towns. From its roots as a 1900s railway cottage to its rebirth as a custom-crafted sanctuary, this home is the rare blend of past and present: a place where you don’t just live — you belong to a legacy.

A Town Steeped in Legacy, A Home Built at Its Heart
Bluemont, formerly known as Snickersville, was once a bustling 19th-century trade town set along the Snickers Gap Turnpike, a key route connecting the fertile Shenandoah Valley to the Tidewater ports. Established in 1824 and once home to blacksmiths, wheelwrights, physicians, and farmers, the village served as a hub for commerce, social life, and, during the Civil War, a strategic military pass.
But in 1900, the railroad changed everything.
To promote the area as a summer resort destination for Washingtonians seeking cooler mountain air, the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad extended service to the village and encouraged residents to rename it Bluemont - a more “euphonious” name for what they now envisioned as Virginia’s mountain escape.
18344 Railroad Street was part of that turn-of-the-century rebirth - and today, it's documented as #42 in the National Register–listed Bluemont Historic District. As one of the rare remaining examples of early 20th-century vernacular architecture in the town, it offers not just a home, but a heritage.

From Foundation to Finish: A Refined Restoration
Originally constructed circa 1900 and reimagined down to the studs in 2015, this bespoke cottage was carefully updated to blend its historic soul with modern sophistication. Every architectural choice honors the past while elevating the everyday.
1,328 thoughtfully designed sq ft
Soaring ceilings + hand-laid pine floors
Showstopping tower staircase anchoring the home
Updated plumbing, electrical + energy-efficient systems
✦ On the Main Level:
An open-concept living space glows with natural light, anchored by a gourmet kitchen featuring granite countertops, soft-close drawers, stainless steel appliances, cabinets with pull out drawers, and a custom breakfast nook with built-in bench + storage, butcher block counters, and a beverage fridge.
A charming powder room with radiant heated flooring and a smart AI all-in-one washer/dryer unit round out the main level — offering both luxury and practicality.
✦ Upstairs, Elevated Living Continues:
The primary suite stuns with 12-foot ceilings, acoustic sound board accent wall, custom built-ins, and a spa-inspired ensuite shower with filtration system, frameless glass, and radiant heated flooring. A whimsical ladder leads to a finished loft, perfect for a reading nook, cozy movie den, or additional sleeping space.
Down the hall, you'll find a serene guest bedroom, a versatile bonus room ideal for an office, nursery, or studio, and a fully renovated second bath — all finished with thoughtful detail.
Your Own Private Retreat, Outside and In
Step outside to a fenced .29-acre retreat with curated landscaping and outdoor living made for both serenity and celebration:
Patio & Trex composite deck
Custom garden shed
New exterior lighting & mailbox
2022 patio addition + lattice deck trim
The home also comes with architectural plans for a potential addition on the left side of the yard, including:
A 60% completed custom design-build rendering
Two alternative 30% concepts
A detached garage floor plan, available to buyers upon request
A Home That Works for You: Rare Rural Commercial Zoning
What makes this property truly one-of-a-kind is its Rural Commercial zoning — a rare and coveted designation in the area. Whether you dream of launching a boutique studio, running a destination Airbnb, or simply having space to bring your creative or professional pursuits to life, 18344 Railroad Street gives you the freedom to do it all.
A Snapshot of Thoughtful Improvements
This home has seen over a decade of smart upgrades — blending efficiency, design, and functionality. Highlights include:
2025
Guest bathroom renovation
Minisplit serviced
Exterior power washing
Architectural renderings + 2 additional design concepts for addition
2024
Kitchen upgrades: fridge, faucet (filtration), microwave
Breakfast nook cabinetry, beverage fridge, butcher block counter
All-in-one AI washer/dryer
Chandelier
HVAC service + keyless entry
Loft finished in primary suite
Office/nursery custom shelving
Primary bath upgrades (showerhead filtration)
New sump pump, mailbox, exterior lighting
2023
New dishwasher
New back door with pet access
Detached garage/apt floor plan purchased
2022
Flagstone patio
New water heater
Trex deck repairs + lattice trim
2015
Full studs-out remodel — only the floor plan and foundation remain unchanged. All systems, surfaces, and finishes are modernized.
Systems & Essentials
HVAC + AC unit: < 5 years old
Tankless water heater + water purification w/ UV
Whole house filtration & softener
Electrical + Plumbing (2015)
Windows + roof (2015)
Internet: AllPoints Broadband (Starlink available)
Water/Sewer: Private well + 2BR septic
Electric: Dominion Energy
Propane: Valley Energy (leased)
Schools
Elementary: Round Hill
Middle: Harmony
High School: Woodgrove
Why Bluemont?
Bluemont is more than a backdrop — it’s a lifestyle. A town of just 175 residents, it offers a unique mix of preserved history, mountain beauty, and small-town soul. From the nearby Bluemont General Store to Dirt Farm Brewing, Great Country Farms, and Bluemont Vineyard, this is a place where community thrives, and weekends feel like a getaway.
And 18344 Railroad Street? It’s your invitation to be part of it.
Here, History Isn’t Just Preserved — It’s Lived.
If you’re seeking a home that offers architectural soul, modern comfort, and zoning flexibility — all within one of Loudoun’s most storied villages — this is the one to watch.
Welcome to 18344 Railroad Street. Your next chapter starts here.
Contact the listing agent Chloe Powell for more information:
Chloë Powell
Hunt Country Sotheby’s International Realty
571-379-0199





































































































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