Address: 8555 Hill Spring Drive, Lutherville

List price: $3,550,000

Year built: 1896

Real estate agent: Thomas Mooney, O’Conor, Mooney & Fitzgerald

Last sold price/date: $1,450,000/ Feb. 9, 1993

Property size: 8.08 acres

Unique features: There’s enough history in this home to fill several books in its rosewood-paneled library. Built in 1896, the four-story mansion boasts eight bedrooms, nine full baths and a history laced with names of VIPs who’ve crossed its threshold through the years.

An early owner was William Hurst, a well-heeled businessman, in whose dry-goods store the Great Baltimore Fire of 1904 began. Later, the Lutherville estate was sold to J. Fife Symington Jr., a Maryland Republican leader who hosted political gatherings at the elegant hilltop residence. Richard Nixon, Barry Goldwater and Spiro Agnew hobnobbed here. A 1962 fundraiser drew 1,500 Republicans and an elephant that was shipped in from New York. (The pachyderm proceeded to trample flower beds and destroy a favorite maple tree.)

Nowadays, the 8-acre landscape features manicured grounds, impressive vegetation, a circular driveway and an in-ground pool and spa beside a bluestone patio. The spacious interior (nearly 11,500 square feet) has eight fireplaces, French doors, a butler’s pantry and an expansive ballroom that would surely share its political secrets, if walls could talk. A porch and balcony add charm to the place.

Among the outbuildings are a two-bedroom guest house with office; a two-car garage; and a 7-stall barn which has, of all things, a basketball court on the second floor.

Have a news tip? Contact Mike Klingaman at jklingaman@baltsun.com and 410-332-6456.