The Dudley Mansion, one of the most well-known and historic mansions of the South, is for sale for $1.249 million. This legendary North Carolina home is known for its lavish parties, thrown by the original Joneses themselves, millionaire rice broker and railroad investor, Pembroke Jones and his wife Sarah.
The three-story estate with five bedrooms, three full bathrooms, three half bathrooms and nine fireplaces, also features expansive porches, a media room, library, dual staircases, a state-of-the-art kitchen and high-end appliances. The basement features two separate living spaces complete with kitchens and bathrooms and totals an additional 3,700 square feet.
Built in 1825, the estate is located in the heart of Downtown Wilmington’s historic district on an acre of gardens with views of the Cape Fear River. The Joneses purchased the home in the 1880s, hosting such distinguished guests as Daniel Webster, and Presidents Woodrow Wilson and William H. Taft. During World War II, the mansion housed a restaurant for a brief period before it was used as the headquarters for The Elks Club until 1969.