The Historic House
The heart of Soledad Gardens is the main house at 901 Old Valley Road—a National Register-listed gem blending colonial vernacular with 19th- and 20th-century elegance. Built in phases (c. 1750/1761) as the Jacobs Homestead, it evolved into the Hewson Cox House (1852) and Kates Mansion.
Colonial Origins
Intact 18th-century stone residence showcasing early Chester County masonry.
Cox Era Additions
Picturesque villa influenced by Andrew Jackson Downing, reflecting mid-19th-century tastes.
Kates Innovations
Library wing (Haddon Hall-inspired), wrap-around pergola, gravity-fed hot water system from cisterns.
Restoration by Hollenshead
Salvaged from abandonment (1998), addressing mold, asbestos, lead paint, and structural decay. Now a vibrant space with unique garden views from every window.