A Block Island landmark with historic charm, gardens, long water views

This landmark Block Island house was built in 1889 by Amazon Littefield, a menhaden fisherman who, on his travels around New England, came to admire a particular kind of Queen Anne architecture and insisted on having such a house on Block Island. The house is on the desirable Corn Neck section of the island, with much conserved land, hiking trails and quiet beaches all an easy walk away. The house is surrounded by stone walls and beautiful perennial gardens, with lots of lovely summer lounging available on a stone terrace and covered, wrap-around front porch. There's lots in bloom all summer all around the property. There are long water views toward Block Island Sound and a frequent southwest breeze. The comfortable sitting rooms and large dining room are furnished with many family hand-me-downs and old common treasures, but bathrooms and kitchens have modern convenience with a Bosch dishwasher, Subzero refrigerator and freezer drawers in the paneled pantry. There are rain showers in the tiled and paneled baths and an outdoor shower. There is a full laundry and second fridge in the basement. There are few other houses on the island that capture the spirit of old Block Island summers so well.