Home Buying

Landscape architect transforms property that was pit stop for wayward animals

South Dartmouth poundkeepers home comes with two bedrooms, one bath, and stunning grounds.

The home sits on one meticulously landscaped acre. Taylor Cadwell/Cadwell Imagery

July 29, 2024 | 6:10 PM

While the Colonial iteration of the town pound may be long gone, the “Pound Keeper’s Cottage” at 1150 Russells Mills Road is still playing an important role — as a beautiful South Dartmouth landmark.

Now the charming 1,146-square-foot home is on the market for $925,000.

Built in 1775, the two-bed, one-bath home is tucked in the rural village of Russells Mills in South Dartmouth and originally served as the home for the town’s official keeper of wayward animals. On the market for the second time since 1958, the home has been meticulously rehabilitated by its owner, a landscape architect and historian, who has adorned the 1-acre property with lush gardens and landscaping.

“They have done this really amazing job in creating these beautiful, sort of majestic gardens and retreat,” said Mathew J. Arruda of Compass, who has the listing. “I always tell people it’s this special, charming jewel of a property. It’s really something out of a fairy tale.”

Located right off the street behind a row of hedges, the bright front door welcomes guests to the gray-shingled home. Step inside the front door, and a period staircase greets you.

Continue inside, and you’ll find the 169-square-foot dining room on one side, complete with historic features like wide-plank painted floorboards and horsehair plaster walls. Adjacent to the dining room is the 166-square-foot living room, filled with windows that look out on the beautiful natural setting.

Continue farther into the home to the kitchen, with combines stainless steel features with historic notes. Beyond the L-shaped counter, which could feature bar seating, you’ll find the hookup for the washer and dryer, which are included in the sale. A tabletop above them makes great use of the space.

The 37-square-foot walk-in pantry features a small window.

“It’s an interesting, kind of delicate restoration without a full-blown gut job and total modern kitchen,” Arruda said.

A door leads to the back patio, ideal for summer barbecues or enjoying your morning coffee. Off the deck, continue into the lush gardens, which feature various stone walkways and dream-like paths. We bet the animals enjoy the beautiful landscape, too.

Back in the house, the first floor is also home to the bathroom, which features a full bathtub and elegant white tiling, as well as a single window.

Head upstairs, where you’ll find two comfortable bedrooms. On the left is the smaller bedroom, which measures 163 square feet. To the right is the 171-square-foot primary bedroom, which features a walk-in closet. It also connects to an adjacent space that functions as a home office and measures 205 square feet.

The pea gravel driveway is surrounded by hedges and provides enough parking for three cars. The home has a new roof with wooden gutters and copper drainpipes and an updated heating/AC system. There is also a Roth stainless steel oil tank.

The town holding pen for wayward animals still stands.

“It’s a really interesting home. … This isn’t for everybody,” Arruda said. “For some folks it may not be the most practical type of type of property, but for those that love both detailed, artistic gardens and historic homes, this is a really special timepiece.”

See more photos of the home below: