Auction | 8.3 Acres | Log Cabin with Colonial Roots

Along Laurel Ridge Road, on the quiet back side of South Mountain, sits Woods End, a log home with more than a century and a half of stories in its walls. County records date the home to circa 1850, and local historical research traces the land to a 1755 warrant filed by Swiss immigrant
Abraham Hassler, whose sons served in the Lancaster County militia during the Revolutionary War. In 1926 Reading's Joseph Hendel added the half-timbered (fachwerk) second story as a summer retreat, and from 1965 the Jefferis family knew it simply as "Woods End." A detailed history is available with the listing.

Inside, the character is intact: hand-hewn beams, wide plank floors, plastered log walls, board doors on strap hinges, and a wood-burning fireplace with a new Blaze King insert in the living room. The main floor has a center hall, living room and a kitchen with a peaked ceiling and a door to the side porch. Upstairs are two bedrooms and a full bath with shower and terracotta tile floor.

What a historic house usually needs, this one already has. Since 2023 the owners have installed a new septic system, full indoor plumbing with bath and laundry, 200-amp electric service, ductless mini-split heat and air, a new roof with copper flashing and cedar dormer shingles, new Pella double-pane windows, a relined chimney, attic insulation, a basement sump pump and lead-paint remediation, roughly $119,000 in documented improvements.

The 8.3 acres are about one acre cleared and seven wooded, with a creek, springhouse, fenced pasture and animal enclosure, fruit trees, an enclosed shed and a storage shed. The setting is private and quiet, about 15 minutes to Ephrata and Sinking Spring, in the Cocalico School District. A rare chance to own a piece of Lancaster County history, ready to live in today.

Pre-Auction offers will be considered. Open House is Saturday, November 21 at 12 PM - 2 PM. Auction date is Saturday, December 19 at 11 AM. The auction will be simulcast, allowing for in-person and online bidding.

Inside, the character is intact: hand-hewn beams, wide plank floors, plastered log walls, board doors on strap hinges, and a wood-burning fireplace with a new Blaze King insert in the living room. The main floor has a center hall, living room and a kitchen with a peaked ceiling and a door to the side porch. Upstairs are two bedrooms and a full bath with shower and terracotta tile floor.

What a historic house usually needs, this one already has. Since 2023 the owners have installed a new septic system, full indoor plumbing with bath and laundry, 200-amp electric service, ductless mini-split heat and air, a new roof with copper flashing and cedar dormer shingles, new Pella double-pane windows, a relined chimney, attic insulation, a basement sump pump and lead-paint remediation, roughly $119,000 in documented improvements.

The 8.3 acres are about one acre cleared and seven wooded, with a creek, springhouse, fenced pasture and animal enclosure, fruit trees, an enclosed shed and a storage shed. The setting is private and quiet, about 15 minutes to Ephrata and Sinking Spring, in the Cocalico School District. A rare chance to own a piece of Lancaster County history, ready to live in today.

Pre-Auction offers will be considered. Open House is Saturday, November 21 at 12 PM - 2 PM. Auction date is Saturday, December 19 at 11 AM. The auction will be simulcast, allowing for in-person and online bidding.

By registering as a buyer and/or bidder on the property, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.

The live real estate auction will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2026 at 11am. On location bidding is available at the time of the auction. Online bidding is available starting on Monday, November 9 through the live auction happening at 11am on Saturday, December 19. The auctioneer will stream live from https://auction.hkkeller.com/auctions/184/simulcast to sell the property.

This property is being offered free and clear of any liens and encumbrances with no warranties or guarantees in “As-Is” condition with all faults and defects. The sale is not subject to any contingency, including mortgage or inspection contingencies. Purchaser understands that any and all required or needed repairs, inspections, surveys, or permits are strictly and solely Purchaser’s expense and obligation.

There is a 10% buyer's premium paid by the buyer on the winning bid. The winning bid plus the 10% buyer's premium will comprise the total purchase price.

The real estate transfer taxes will be calculated on the total purchase price. The buyer pays all transfer taxes.

The property taxes are estimated to be $7,134 for the current tax year.

Any personal property remaining on the property at settlement transfers with the real property.

The property is being offered with a reserve and will be sold subject to seller’s confirmation.

The winning bidder will pay a $20,000 down payment and sign the Purchase Agreement and Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement at the conclusion of the auction.

Balance due at settlement. Settle on or before Tuesday, February 2, 2027.

If the purchaser fails to comply with the terms and conditions of this auction or the purchase agreement, the seller may retain the deposit as liquidated damages, and may proceed to make a resale of the property, either at public or private sale.

The seller and/or H.K. Keller has the right to reject any bids.

Only the registered bidder, POA or contracted agent may bid using the registered account, unless arrangements with H.K. Keller have been made.

If you are an online bidder and your bid wins the property, we will give you call regarding collecting the down payment as well as email a Purchase Agreement and Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement to sign electronically or to print, sign, scan and return via email. These documents should be completed and returned within two hours.

Online bidders will have 24 hours from the conclusion of the auction to pay the down payment via wire transfer or cashier’s check unless prior arrangements have been made with the H.K. Keller.

The signed Bidder Registration Form must be submitted to H.K. Keller by 5am on Auction Day, Saturday, December 19, for a brokerage representation to be acknowledged. All bidders whether in person or online must complete the form. Please email the completed form to [email protected].

Technical Issues: Neither the company providing the software nor the auction company shall be held responsible for a missed bid or the failure of the software to function properly for any reason. In the unfortunate event of a DDOS attack or server attack/shut down, the auction company reserves the right, but is not required, to extend bidding time. To minimize the chance of being affected by internet or software issues, please use the “Max Bid” feature. Please contact Mike Keller at 717-725-2487 if you need assistance with the online bidding platform or need to bid over the phone.