Dunleith stands on the site originally occupied by “Routhland,” a house built by Job Routh and his wife during the late 18th century. Their daughter, Mary, a widow at only 15 years of age, took Charles Dahlgren as her second husband and inherited the house.

Tragic circumstances led to the naming of Dunleith. In 1855, lightning struck a chimney, and Routhland burned to the ground. Dahlgren built a new house in its place in 1856, but his young wife died just three years later. In order to settle the estate, Charles sold the house to Alfred Vidal Davis for $30,000, and Davis gave the house the Scottish name of Dunleith.

William F. Heins purchased the home in 1976 and operated a bed and breakfast here. In 1999, Mrs. Edward Worley and her son, Michael Worley, purchased the house and immediately began a large-scale restoration and renovation.

Dunleith is set upon 40 acres, which also includes a carriage house, dairy barn, poultry house and three-story brick dependency. The dependency features a 19th-century toilet and bathtub, which were considered to be rare amenities for the time.

Dunleith was built in Greek revival style, with 26 Tuscan columns surrounding the house. The brick and stucco columns support a double gallery with intricately designed wrought iron railings spanning the columns. Jeffersonian windows extend from the floor to the ceiling on the first floor, providing ventilation and easy access to the gallery from any room.

Enclosed within the 14 ½ inch thick walls is 9,500 square feet of floor space. The floors are made of heart pine, with cypress baseboards painted to look like oak. Italian marble mantle pieces adorn each fireplace, and elegantly designed ceiling medallions enhance the chandeliers hung throughout the house.

Points of interest:
• * The brick steps beside the house are original to Routhland, which burned to the ground in 1855.
• * On the grounds stands a magnolia tree that is over 250 years old.
• * The Gothic Carriage House that houses the Castle Restaurant dates to the late 18th century.
• * The dairy barn to the right of the Castle also dates back to the late 18th century.