HGTV Names NK Home 'Best Nontraditional' Home

North Kingstown is home to some pretty cool houses, but one particular house on the market caught the eye of HGTV recently. The Poplar Point Lighthouse was crowned the "Best Nontraditional Home" in the 2012 Doory Awards - a competition on HGTV's FrontDoor.com.

Aimed at celebrating America's best homes for sale, lasted four weeks in April on the website and saw more than four million listings submitted. Poplar Point (listed by Judy Chace of Residential Properties) was one of 10 nominees chosen in the 'nontraditional' category where it earned top honors with 18,898 votes out of a 120,539. 

What makes Poplar Point so unique? Built in 1831, the former lighthouse used to protect Wickford Harbor until it was decommissioned in 1882. Adding to the home's cool factor, the octagonal tower is the oldest wooden lighthouse in the country. (The original buliding included a 40 feet by 20 feet stone dwelling, but a large addition was added on to the strucutre int eh early 1900s.

Set on 1.7 acres of waterfront property, the home measures 4,800 square feet. The current owners have done extensive renovations to the structure and the adjacent four-bedroom residence – which features a screened-in porch, a wood-paneled office and a breakfast room. Also on the property is an in-ground swimming pool (in case Narragansett Bay doesn't suit your fancy), an observation deck, waterfront terraces and a three-bedroom guesthouse. 

To learn more about the history of Poplar Point, check out The Lighthouses of Rhode Island by Jeremy D’Entremont.