A Presidential Home

Just over 13 miles and less than 30 minutes south of Charlottesville is the town of Keene, located at the intersection of Scottsville Road, Esmont Road, and Plank Road, all of which connect to US Route 20 which leads to Charlottesville, Interstate 64, and US Route 250. Charlottesville is home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, and several of the area’s largest employers. Interstate 64 connects to Richmond via the east and Staunton via the west. US 250 leads to Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge via the west and Richmond via the east.

Keene is renowned as the location of the “original Camp David” presidential retreat. The cottage, known as Pine Knot, served as the country retreat of Theodore Roosevelt and his wife Edith Roosevelt during Theodore’s presidency. During a retreat in 1905 President Roosevelt, an avid outdoorsman, made the last known sighting of a passenger pigeon in the wild. Pine Knot was kept and maintained by Edith Roosevelt until her death in 1941 and is preserved as a tourist attraction. It is one of four sites in Keene on the National Register of Historic Places.

Country Feel, Modern Flavor

Homes for sale in Keene boast a country flavor with contemporary style. The houses are manageably sized but feature multiple bedrooms and are perfect for small families or newly married couples. The lots adjoining the houses feature spacious, farm-like acreage with plenty of room for planting a garden, letting pets run free, or setting up an outdoor recreation area. Despite its proximity to Charlottesville and several major highways, homes for sale in Keene are all reasonably priced and easily maintained.

Run, Hike, Row

Keene is a magnet for the robust central Virginia running community as it is home to the “Keene Loop”, a seven-mile loop of gravel road situated at Christ Church on Glendower Street, one of Keene’s historical sites. Situated at the halfway point between Charlottesville and Scottsville, the Keene Loop draws runners of all skill and experience levels thanks to its soft surface, lack of traffic, and scenic views.

Keene residents eager for a good hike have two natural preserves, Hardware River State Wildlife Area and Totier Creek Reservoir Park, less than 10 minutes away. Both parks are adjacent to the James River as well as several smaller bodies of water. For those who’d rather relax and float down the river, Route 20 South leads to Scottsville and the James River. Residents of central Virginia spend the warm-weather months casually floating down the James with the help of James River Rafting which provides parking, shuttling, and equipment rentals.