LiosDara Gardens offers a breathtaking outdoor setting. The “House” was built in 1960 just north of Bennetts Corner near the intersection of Edison Furlong Road and Pebble Hill Road about 2 miles (3.2 km) southeast of Doylestown. The current owners have been able to document the property’s deed history back to 1684 when it was part of a 5,500 acre track given to John Gray from William Penn; (refer
ence: in DB 10/338) on the 17th & 18th of June 1684. You can see this deed and many more during your visit. During this research they found a copy of a Manumission document of Cesar & Plymouth attached to a deed freeing them from slavery from one of the previous owners. The home was built in 1960 by then owners Charles & Callie Thatcher who had many family functions on the property as documented in the local papers. Callie also was featured in the local newspaper for her salt and pepper shaker collection and the cabinets where she displayed them are still present today. The Thatcher’s then sold the home to Patricia A. Vaugh in 1992 who made a few modifications including a master bedroom and bath. Patricia’s estate sold it to the current owners William and Michael in 2015. The property is now called LiosDara. What’s in a name? The current owners call the property LiosDara, after a sign that was on the lamppost that now hangs on the rear fence entrance. LiosDara is Gaelic/Irish and per the Dublin Library is translated into “House of the Oaks” or “Fort of the Oaks” depending on the dialect. Mrs. Vaughn was from Waterford Ireland and emigrated to the US in 1963. There is an street and area in Waterford called LiosDara and it is believed that is where the name may have come from. At the time of the purchase in March 2015, you could hardly get a car in the drive. The house had bushes and plants growing right up against it making it so you could not see in or out of the windows of the house. The side property and rear yard were overgrown with vines, wild bushes and fallen trees. In the first 6 days of ownership the current owners removed over nine dumpsters of yard waste so they could get a handle on the property. After replacing windows, updating the electrical, adding air-condition, remediating mold, water issues, gutting the kitchen, baths, and rebuilding the homes fireplace and much more they moved in in September of 2015. Since that time they have converted the once dirt floor basement cellar into a wine cellar / tasting room and the basement into an industrial acritical gathering space for family and friends. This space boast as a unique crate wall, 15 solid wood doors from the old Mouse Lodge in Doylestown at 127 E State Street and Accordion Aluminum. These rooms house may family artifacts including 2 wagon wheels from Bills Great Great Great Grandfathers wagon from the late 1700’s, Mike’s great grandparents kitchen cabinet made by his great grandfather and may other family pieces. Although the current owners had help in the physical creating the inside and outside spaces all the basic design concepts where their doing. In 2018 William and Michael’s dreams for the property came true when they added a 16x40 pool and Pool House on the rear parcel. The Pool House now offers a year-round retreat for the owners. The property itself is 1.25 acers with a variety of outside relaxation opportunities. Off the rear of the home you discover a flagstone patio with a gas fire pit, If you look across the yard you will see a mid-century BBQ / Fireplace that the owners had rebuilt and a fabulous checkerboard dining retreat space. The Mid-century barbeque fireplace is built of fieldstone. It is believed to be from the Hancock Iron Works of Pontiac Michigan and the plans originally sold for $19.95. If you follow the path back you will enter the pride and joy of the property the pool and pool house area. BTY, this rear section of property was purchased from a neighbor by Mrs. Vaughn for what is believed to be $1.00. Behind the pool house is a vegetable and cutting flower garden that leads to a 2 path options, 1) to “Pumpkin Hollow” and the Firepit area and 2) a path that passes by an overflow rain garden and yet another sitting area. This path leads to a gate that leads you around the front right of the property. The stone benches and supports in the front and in the rear yards where mined here in PA but were part of a mid 1800’s barn foundation in Randolph Ohio that was once owned by Michaels Grandparents. The Pumpkin Hollow sign was made by Bill’s great uncle for his mother’s property in NJ and the hummingbird sculptures are a reminder of Michael mother and the Flamingos are in honor of his sister who passed away March 6, 2021 of pancreatic cancer and love flamingos. William and Michael love sharing the property with family and friends (that are family) and other than in 2020 have hosted a garden party each year for them (about 50 people) each year in a different location of the property. William and Michael maintain the gardens and yard themselves with the exception of lawn fertilization. Ninety-five (95) percent of all leaves and yard waste is reused as mulch and / or firewood and remains on the property.
