This unassuming home has a real surprise in store ...
This quintessential brick home with its two bedrooms and two baths is a dream home by all accounts. Plentiful windows beckon in the morning sunshine, and hopeful homeowners should have no problem seeing their future unfold inside these walls—that is, until they get to picture #30 of this Fayette, Missouri, home's photo gallery.
This eyebrow-raising real estate listing on Realtor.com has been making the rounds online—but for reasons that have had prospective homebuyers and concerned citizens scratching their heads.
Behind an unsuspecting metal door in what appears to be a kitchen area ...
lies a jail. Yep, it is exactly what it sounds like. At 2,500 square feet, the jail portion of the home is an impressive amount of space when added to the 2,457 square footage of the home itself. This expansive jail has left some curious homeowners gawking at how much bang you could be getting for your buck with the additional "storage space."
The jail even features a booking room and nine fully functioning jail cells, complete with terrifying-looking steel doors and metal bars.
The Home's History
A historic house in Missouri comes with a hidden door that leads to 9 functional jail cells on the lower level — look inside the unusual property, which was once a sheriff's residence https://t.co/pU6wMTPniq
— Business Insider (@businessinsider) August 21, 2020
The Howard County home has a rich history behind it. The home/jail combination was built in 1875, with 1894 being the year the jail saw its first prisoners. At the time, it was the home of the Howard County sheriff, but over time, elected sheriffs chose not to live in it (we don't blame them one bit). Today, the jail is one of many buildings in the town of Fayette, Missouri, that are part of the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2005, the home was sold at auction on eBay, where it was scooped up by the current owner who renovated it extensively. The makeover included crown top molding, top-of-the-line appliances, and modern fixtures that make the home an absolute beauty. When it comes to the jail portion of the house, however, everything is mostly the same as its original construction.
What Lies Ahead for This Home?
While some are understandably baffled by such an odd addition, others see the unique character of the home and the potential it can provide.
Some Twitter users have floated the idea of renovating this home into an Airbnb, while others have suggested turning it into a museum of sorts. Others have noted that the home offers the potential of being a great way to introduce your daughter's boyfriend to the family, or a great place to send children when Mommy and Daddy need a little break. (They said it, not us!)
If you're interested in purchasing, this home is listed for $315,800.
What do you think about this curious home with a character all its own? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!
**All images courtesy of realtor.com