Roof of unique W.Va. home requires mowing

[July 31, 2008]  WINFIELD, W.Va. (AP) -- The McHenrys are quite accustomed to strangers knocking on the door of their Putnam County home. Commuters, truck drivers, even delivery people will frequently show up on their doorstep and ask to sneak a peek inside.

The McHenrys' house between Fraziers Bottom and Winfield, is almost entirely underground.

They bought the house two years ago for $125,000. It is about 2,800 square feet, with three bedrooms and four bathrooms.

Sitting between the highway and a small, rushing creek, the house is built into a little knoll that rises up fewer than 20 feet.

The rest of the property is flat, making it the perfect place to play football, have picnics or, in the McHenrys' case, let dogs run loose.

When one walks onto the roof of the house, it's just like being on a grassy hilltop. There's little evidence a house is hidden underneath.

And, yes, they do have to mow the roof.

[Associated Press]

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