Abandoned Historic Beach Cottage Tour Before Demolition. So sad!

[@Ryshka]

Hi Brittany, my name is Natalie and I am the great great granddaughter of Happy Lewis. My grandmother’s father is who built the house. He grew up in the very small town of Proctorville, North Carolina. He was a tabacco farmer and didn’t have much money. Happy built the cottage for his family to enjoy and for all future generations. Unfortunately, that never happened for my family once I came along because of greed, so we never developed any fond memories of the place. Thank you to everyone leaving such nice comments, and to those who shared their memories of this house. It warms my heart to see even the smallest of recollections from complete strangers on the internet that they have memories of this house. Thank you for immortalizing this memory.

[@PrettyHandyGirl]

Ryshka, thanks for telling me a little more about the man behind the name Happy.

[@katerichards9103]

What an unfortunate post. No, Happy Lewis was not a tobacco farmer. His wife inherited farms and had tenants lease them. I know the history, Natalie and find your reference to greed very hurtful and disturbing coming from a young lady who did not know the details first hand.

[@lesleywatkins1172]

What a real shame. It could be a fantastic home!

[@katies8367]

My best friend sent me this video. We stayed here with my family in 1999 when we were in high school. I'd always hoped I'd be able to rent that house myself and look for it on rental sites. 😥♥️♥️♥️ that view is forever burned into my memory.

[@Sallie424]

It’s a shame to need to say goodbye. I hope parts are saved before it is demolished

[@ellenbeatty1031]

I love the random sink in the first bedroom.

[@tamlalaland3777]

I love the basic older beach homes...sorry it has to be demolished.

[@PrettyHandyGirl]

I'm with you, they definitely are built to last.

[@darcymalarchik7711]

I’m so happy you documented this house! Great video.

[@PrettyHandyGirl]

Thanks Darcy.

[@creatingincolors333]

What a treasure. Sooooo sad.

[@HappyHands.]

I remember driving by this house on every Topsail visit. The blocks are probably full of mold though.

[@PrettyHandyGirl]

Not too bad inside because there's no drywall in the house. All the newer houses that used drywall definitely have mold.

[@helenhart4778]

it will be a shame to destroy the history of this property.

[@ernestmarcucella6918]

The house is a really good. It will be ashame if someone can't buy it.

[@katerichards9103]

We had the cottage analyzed by several experts. The mold made it inhabitable. Please do not assume that every aspect wasn't considered.

[@PrettyHandyGirl]

@@katerichards9103 I’m an expert at rehabilitating old houses that have extensive water and mold damage. I’m so sorry some one told you it wasn’t reparable.

[@katerichards9103]

I am the grand daughter of the late Happy Lewis and the co-owner. Who gave you permission to enter the cottage and use it to promote your business? I spent my youth there and it was heartbreaking to lose it. Who gave you permission to do this video?

[@PrettyHandyGirl]

As I told the other co-owner, I entered the property with my realtor after getting permission from the listing agent. As a general contractor and real estate investor, my goal was to see if the house could be saved and rehabbed. The house was definitely able to be fixed, but the location of the septic tank on the other side of the subdivided lot meant I would have had to purchase both sides of the lot. This was not a financially sound decision. I’m surprised by the tone of your comment (and the vitriol the other co-owner sent me). I’m surprised you aren’t glad to have a video and pictures for posterity. I know other family members have thanked me.