Opulent Delaware County Mansion Asks $2.995 Million

"Resplendent with over-the-top ornament, this Delaware County mansion has been restored with an artist's eye for color and pattern and a respect for the grandly scaled original details. Constructed as the summer retreat for a wealthy industrialist and family in the early 20th century, it has a baronial presence meant to impress and is still situated on more than 38 acres of land with a vista over an ornamental lake."

"The estate on the market at 10566 County Highway 18 in South Kortright and now known as Belle Terre was constructed in 1912 as the family of James and Sara McLean. He made his millions in the mining business with the Phelps-Dodge Corporation. The more recent rescue and renovation of the house back into a single-family dwelling after decades of institutional use was the vision of artist and house collector Hunt Slonem."

"James McLean already had a family connection to South Kortright before building his new mansion. His family moved to the area when he was young, as early as age 12 by some accounts. His father, Edward, born in Scotland, and American-born mother, Margaret, were recorded in the 1860 census as farming in the area. Edward died in 1891 and soon after James began making changes to the property, known as Riverside."

Belle Terre in South Kortright was built in 1912 for James and Sara McLean. McLean earned his fortune with Phelps-Dodge and had family roots in the area dating to childhood; his parents farmed there in 1860. Between 1892 and 1899 the property was enlarged, an ornamental lake was created, and a coachman's cottage was added. The 1912 project replaced the earlier summer home with a brick house on a cement foundation, featuring spacious parlors and sun parlors and lawns around the lake. The baronial mansion sits on more than 38 acres and was restored from institutional use into a single-family home by artist Hunt Slonem, emphasizing color, pattern and grand details.

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