Fontinalis- Historic stone farm house (ca. 1700’s) on famous trout stream.

The stone farmhouse called Fontinalis (meaning of the spring) was built in the flourishing mill village of Springfield in the late 1700s. The source of power for the mills was and remains the 5th largest spring in Pennsylvania, Big Spring. The spring and stream are visible from the house and a short walk down the hill places you at the meandering flow that runs through a beautiful valley of farms and woodlands. Big Spring Run is known as one of the crown jewels of the Cumberland valley limestone trout streams. which includes the Yellow Breeches, Letort, Falling Spring and Green Spring, all notable fisheries and part of the history of North American fly fishing. This is paradise for fly fishermen and If you enjoy wildlife, Big Spring Run is home to deer and turkeys and is a favorite spot for birders.
Fontinalis is located in Newville. It’s placed about 11 miles in each direction from neighboring Shippensburg and Carlisle.

The farm house is also known locally as " the spite house" as it was built by a Scottish immigrant named Davidson to prevent the construction of a road through Springfield village that would have made Springfield the County seat. His efforts appear to have succeeded since Carlisle is now the seat of Cumberland county.

Our home has been restored with attention to detail and features the original hardware on doors, chair rail molding, wide plank floors, deep window sills, colonial colors and fireplaces. Light fixtures and antique furnishings, including pieces from the 1700s , complete the colonial ambience. The home can sleep 7 with three queen beds and a single bed in four bed rooms located on the second floor. One bathroom with shower and tub is located on the second floor and a powder room is located downstairs. The kitchen is well appointed with a work island, updated appliances, cooking utensils, and coffee/ espresso makers. The dinning room off the kitchen is great for gatherings as is the living room area. . The thick stone walls help keep the house warm and the radiant base board heat runs throughout the house. On warmest days the second floor air conditioning makes sleeping very comfortable and helps to cool the downstairs.

There is an outdoor seating area and dinning space that is surrounded by a lush garden. An outdoor grill and fire pit area are available for outdoor entertaining. The kitchen garden off the paved area is full of herbs and mints to make any beverage or meal full of flavor.
The summer kitchen building located near the back entrance is occasionally used to create hearth meals for large gatherings. Also located in the corner of the kitchen is the perfect storage hanging space for fisherman to store waders, cleats and other fishing gear.

Fontinalis is located in a community with rural character with several homes nearby that were part of the historic mill village. The sound of clopping horses from our Amish neighbors is regularly heard and enhances the early American feel of our home.

We are a few miles from the Appalachian trail, in fact the mid point of the trail is located near Boiling Springs only 10 miles away. Mountain lakes for swimming, canoeing and fishing are close by and a hiking/biking trail developed from an old railroad track is nearby. Lancaster, the heart of Amish country, and Hershey Park (amusement rides) are an hour or so away. Day trips to Baltimore , Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. are practical from our home. Gettysburg is a 45 minute drive through beautiful Appalachian orchard country and other famous civil war and revolutionary war battle fields are in day trip range. We are located mid way between Dickinson College and Shippensburg University placing College town amenities within 10 minutes drive. Foodies will enjoy a variety of restaurants, a beer trail, ice cream trail and the Carlisle farmers market on Wednesdays with fresh produce , cheese, local meats and fresh Amish baked goods.