A window into what life was like in the late-19th and early-20th centuries in Richmond County will go on the auction block Monday at noon.

The Grant House, as it is known today, stands on what used to be known as the Cole-Grant Farm beside West Rockingham Elementary School on Highway 74 Business.

It was built in 1870, according to an architectural survey commissioned by the Richmond County Historical Society. It was bought by Mark Cole, who left it to his daughter, Carrye, who married a Grant.

The main house on the farm is a two-story, hip-roofed dwelling with a two-tier porch across the east front, a single-story porch on the south and a kitchen wing. A double row of domestic and farm outbuildings extends to the west of the house.

The buildings include a cotton house, barns, a wagon shed and two tenant houses.

In the early-20th Century, there was also a cotton gin and a corn mill on the property, and a winery in the cellar, according to the historical survey.

Historical Society member Betty McBride explained some of these features were typical of many farms in the county during that time period, but this one was very industrious.

“It was very self-sufficient, but, with the cotton gin and the corn mill, they weren’t only providing for themselves but the needs of others as well,” she said.

The Richmond County School District purchased the property from the Grant estate three years ago because the land extends behind West Rockingham, School Board Vice Chairman Tom McInnis explained.

However, the house and the three acres it sits on, were declared surplus property last year. The house sides on the side of the school. Property behind the school will be retained.

McInnis’s auction firm, Iron Horse Auctions, volunteered to auction the property and will not receive any payment for its work.

“This is a pretty historical property, and a pretty old house,” McInnis said. “Some buyer with some vision and some insight could spend a reasonable amount of money on this property and have a showplace.”

McBride agreed the history of the property provides an extra facet for any potential new owner.

“Any buyer of this house would be buying a piece of Richmond County history,” she said.

The Richmond County Board of Education voted unanimously to designate the property as surplus at its February meeting on the recommendation of Board Attorney George Crump.

Crump pointed out the potential liability of the school system for several different reasons in making his recommendation.

Despite being vacant for some time, utilities are still hooked up to the home, and the schools have kept it in a state of good repair.

Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.