A homeowner restoring their 1875 house has uncovered pieces of history hidden behind drywall, delighting the r/centuryhomes community with each reveal. After completing work in four rooms—with four more, several closets, and a hallway still to go—they’ve confirmed what was long suspected: the home began as a classic two-room dog-trot layout, a 19th-century Southern design with a central breezeway. Their latest find—a partially intact exterior wall now enclosed inside an addition—offers a rare window into how the home evolved over 150 years.

Clues in the Walls and Wallpaper

In a recently renovated room, the removal of drywall exposed what was once an exterior wall, now sandwiched between later additions. This discovery confirmed the home’s original dog-trot design—a practical layout that many families expanded over time. On the wall clung a delicate piece of vintage wallpaper, its faded pattern still visible after more than a century.

Stained Glass That Stuns

But it wasn’t just walls and wallpaper that stole the show. A commenter wrote, “I audibly gasped at the stained glass. Good lord! What an absolute stunner.” The homeowner replied, “We have four of those doors and a couple of matching gable windows. Love them!” The vibrant stained glass and intricate woodwork—likely added during early renovations—have become standout features of the home. As for the wallpaper, the homeowner shared plans to frame pieces of every pattern uncovered so far. “We have enough that I don’t think we’ll need any other wall art!” they said.

A Renovation with Heart and History

With every room they open up, the homeowner pieces together a fuller picture of their house’s evolution—from a modest dog-trot structure to its current, expanded form. The stained glass, original woodwork, and wallpaper fragments reflect the creativity and craftsmanship of past generations. The renovation journey—still unfolding—has turned into a quest for preservation, one that resonates with fans of historic homes.

Honoring 150 Years of Home

This 1875 dog-trot home continues to inspire the r/centuryhomes community, proving that historic charm often hides in plain sight. With every layer peeled back, the homeowner discovers another piece of the past—and preserves it for the future.

From stained glass doors to forgotten wallpaper patterns, these elements now find new life as framed art and restored features, ensuring that the home’s 150-year story will be cherished for generations to come.