On the Market: A Rare and Historical Rhode Island Beach House 

Perched above the ocean in an iconic beach district, this antique dwelling is a front-row seat to surf and shorebirds.


Photo by Jim Trasko via Lila Delman

392 Cards Pond Road, South Kingstown, RI
Price: $1,750,000
Size: 2,876 square feet
Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 3.5

Towering above the sea, it’s hard to believe that this majestic beach house was once simply the garage for another Victorian dwelling—one of Rhode Island’s famous Browning cottages. The cottages, a collection of Queen Anne Victorian residences, once reigned over the shores of historic Browning’s Beach in Matunuck, Rhode Island. Dating back to 1900, this shingled home has lost several of its neighbors over the years, and was elevated on concrete pilings a decade ago to preserve the building and its unbeatable outlooks.

Walking up the steps to the mahogany wraparound deck and entering through the French doors, you’ll find yourself transported to the dog days of summer, twentieth century-style. From the spruce walls to the fir floors, listing agent Bob Bailey describes the interior as “virtually original with the exception of modern updates to the kitchen.”

It brims with summertime appeal, too, and boasts six acres of beachfront and tidal pond area—meaning, yes, you can enjoy your summer and social distance too. Plus, Bailey mentions, much of the surrounding land is protected as a nesting area for piping plovers, those adorable shorebirds. Flocking to the house during beach season was also a longtime tradition of the sellers, who have owned the outpost since the early 1950s—so as such, there’s no central heating system hooked up.

Walking through the rooms, though, it’s easy to imagine simply flinging open the balcony doors to welcome the heat of a summer day, flopping down on the cozy beds and window seats with a beach read, and gathering at the breakfast bar for a stack of fresh blueberry pancakes. In somewhat uncertain times, an antique home with a promise of summer is a rare treasure.

For information, contact Bob Bailey, Lila Delman Real Estate of Jamestown, liladelman.com.

Photo by Jim Trasko via Lila Delman

Photo by Jim Trasko via Lila Delman

Photo by Jim Trasko via Lila Delman

Photo by Jim Trasko via Lila Delman

Photo by Jim Trasko via Lila Delman

Photo by Jim Trasko via Lila Delman

Photo by Jim Trasko via Lila Delman

Photo by Jim Trasko via Lila Delman

Photo by Jim Trasko via Lila Delman

Photo by Jim Trasko via Lila Delman

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