Atop Gause's Hill, Founder’s Manor sits surrounded by undeveloped land and boasts a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and Jink's Creek. Unwind in this unique setting with access to Isles Beach Club, enjoy outdoor entertaining on the sizable patio or grassy areas perfect for hosting celebrations. With 5 bedrooms offering ocean views, two kitchens, a sun porch and an exclusive basement.
Founder's Manor is the home of Ocean Isle Beach founder, Odell Williamson and his wife Virginia. The home sits atop a 4-lot tract known as Gause's Hill. It is surrounded by undeveloped land and offers a panoramic, unobstructed view of both the Atlantic Ocean and Jink's Creek. Founder’s Manor is centrally located and is less than 1/4 mile (2-4 minute walk) from many of the island’s most popular destinations. Some of these include: the Ocean Isle Beach Town Park, The Museum of Coastal Carolina, The Ocean Isle Beach Pier, River Country Mini Golf, Sunset Slush, Ocean Isle Beach Creamery, Jink’s Creek Waterfront Grille, Pelican’s Perch, the Islander Inn and the Ocean Isle Inn. Additionally, the Ocean Isle Beach Chapel is across the street for those who are interested in a destination wedding or attending a local church service while visiting. The split level home has 4 floors offering: 5 bedrooms, 3 and ½ baths, two kitchens, a formal dining room, a formal living room, a den/reading room, a sun porch, and the Island’s only basement. All bedrooms have a view of the ocean or Jink's Creek. There is a sizable concrete patio space for outdoor entertaining as well as large grassy areas suitable for an ocean or sound view tent should you wish to host a celebration (permit required depending on tent size). Rentals will also include access to the exclusive Isles Beach Club for the duration of your stay. Whether you are a family traveling from out of town, a bridal party looking for a beautiful setting for your celebration, or an individual looking for a local getaway, Founder’s Manor offers a unique, picturesque location that is truly one of a kind.
Property amenities
Beach
Beach nearby
Pool/Spa
Communal pool
Hot tub
Internet
Available in the house: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Parking on site
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee grinder
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Ice maker
Lobster/crab pot
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Spices
Stovetop
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
5 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
3.5 bathrooms
Bathtub or shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Living room
Separate dining area
Entertainment
Books
Games
Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
Stereo
Video games
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Welcoming dogs only
2 pets total
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoking not allowed
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
Near a health/beauty spa
Near the bay
Near the marina
Near the sea
Things to do
Basketball nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
Swimming nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Winery tours nearby
Safety features
No carbon monoxide detector or gas appliances (host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Check-out instructions
The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds, gather used towels, and store extra beds
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights, lock the doors, and return the keys
Please put clean dishes away.
Please leave stripped sheets by bed and comforters/shams on top of bed.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Rules
Events for more than 20 guests require prior authorization from the owner, payment of the site fee and a signed event contract.
Noise ordinance: Town fines for noise disturbances between10p.m. to 7:30 a.m. are from $100- $1,000 for1st offense. 2nd offense is $200-$1,200.
Pets
Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total pets
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Town tent permit required if larger than 20 x 20
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 99
Note from host: Town tent permit required if larger than 20 x 20
Host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
About the neighborhood
Located in Ocean Isle Beach, this vacation home is near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Ocean Isle Beach and Holden Beach. Traveling with kids? Consider Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium. With kayaking, motor boating, and surfing/body boarding nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water. Visit our Ocean Isle Beach travel guide
Brick Landing Plantation Golf Course and Restaurant
9 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does 4000 sq. ft. Historic Hilltop Home/Panoramic Ocean & Sound View/Event Friendly have a pool?
Yes, this property has a pool.
Is 4000 sq. ft. Historic Hilltop Home/Panoramic Ocean & Sound View/Event Friendly pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).
How much is parking?
Onsite parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at 4000 sq. ft. Historic Hilltop Home/Panoramic Ocean & Sound View/Event Friendly?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at 4000 sq. ft. Historic Hilltop Home/Panoramic Ocean & Sound View/Event Friendly?
Check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Where is 4000 sq. ft. Historic Hilltop Home/Panoramic Ocean & Sound View/Event Friendly located?
This family-friendly Ocean Isle Beach vacation home is located by the sea, within a 10-minute walk of Ocean Isle Beach and Museum of Coastal Carolina. Ingram Planetarium and Rees Jones Golf Course are also within 6 mi (10 km).
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All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
From the day I booked Founders Manor many months back, Host Marnie and I have been in contact with each other. She graciously let me in the house when there were no renters, so that my family could see the layout and assign bedrooms ahead of time for our thanksgiving vacation. FM is not your typical “beach house”, but a wonderful home at the beach, which just makes it better!
Our stay was absolutely fantastic. The house is huge and located close to restaurants, activities and most importantly the beach. Marnie was great. She and her husband were responsive, friendly and very helpful. I would definitely recommend staying here. Especially if you have a large group.
This is an amazing house and property. It’s clean and well-stocked. Marnie is so kind and responsive. I would highly recommend this house to anyone looking for a special vacation in Ocean Isle.
Great house in an ideal location. Perfect for the dogs who loved having a yard to play in. Short walk to the beach and to the local town center. The house had everything we needed and was very comfortable to stay in. We also appreciated the welcome baskets with snacks and other useful items. Marnie made sure we had everything we needed and was very friendly. Would definitely come back again.
We just returned from our trip to Founder’s Manor and we had the best time! The house was beautiful and the location was perfect. Having access to the Isles Beach Club was such a nice bonus and the staff there was amazing! Marnie was a wonderful host! We will definitely be back!
The property is very retro and cool! Great views of the ocean and the inter coastal waterway. Kitchen and all of the home was as clean. Plenty of room for a big group.
The Manor House of Ocean Isle Beach checked all of our boxes for my son's wedding rehearsal dinner and out of town guest stay. A lovely private home with ocean and waterway views that was beautifully furnished and wee equipped. The ample parking with central location is hard to find on the island. I loved the mid century vibes and house history. Perfect place to get together with all of your extended family or special occaision
We were very pleased with our decision to stay at Founders Manor. The house is dated but it keeps with its history and nostalgia. There were a few very minor hiccups but Marnie, the property owner, was there in a flash to handle it. If you are a big TV watcher when you go to bed, beware there isnt a TV in every bedroom or the main living area. There is a big one in the basement which is a great area for kids to hang out. The pups loved the huge yard and the side patio area was ideal to watch the waves. We will definitely rent from Marnie again if we are ever in the area.
The house was beautiful and has a lot of history and neat things in it. Lots of space inside and out. Fully stocked with everything you can think of. Only a short walk to the beach and shops, restaurants, ice cream , the pier, the town park and other attractions. The host Marnie is super nice and very welcoming.
Charming, Historical Home that is second to none!!!
Our annual trip to Ocean Isle Beach this year led us to be the very first guests to stay at Historical Founders Manor, home to Odell Williamson, founder of Ocean Isle Beach. It wasn't your typical "beach house" but it offered a charm that was unmatched. Waking up to the ocean view and watching the sunset all from the comfort of the home was amazing!!! Everything is in walking distance or a short bike ride. We've grown to love Ocean Isle beach and to be able to stay in the home of the founder was truly special. You can see and feel the history and southern charm in this home. We will definitely look forward to staying here again!!!
We attended a wedding on Ocean Isle and stayed 4 days at this property. Family included - 8 adults and an 18 mo old.
Property was superb in every way - location (church was across the street) and close to ocean and town, very clean, property was exactly as described, owner was a pleasure to deal with and communication via text was immediate. An added benefit - a family pass to the Ocean Isle Beach Club - 1 1/4 mile away. Club was on the ocean with pool and offered food & drinks.
Would definitely recommend for a family or group of 6-12 guests. Plenty of space and 2 kitchens.
Our family traveled from several states to share a long weekend at this beautiful home. The views are spectacular, and the layout is perfect for making the best memories! Spacious enough to accommodate a large group, this home boasted a fully stocked kitchen, and areas both inside and out to seat the entire family for meals. The home has a prime location, in walking distance to many of the island's activities, and enough outside space to feel like you have privacy. Our family loved that the main family spaces did not have televisions, which encouraged family bonding time! Thank you to the amazing host for great communication and for sharing a part of OIB history. We will be back!
It’s always a pleasure to stay at Founder’s Manor. Marnie is great letting us know anything we needed to know to make our stay incredible. We love it there and look forward to many stays going forward!
We had a wonderful time. The house was lovely and within walking distance to shops and family friendly actives. Plenty of room to have your own space but still be together. We enjoyed the view of the ocean which was just across the street. Our hosts were amazing and very attentive to anything we needed and any concerns we had. Thank you for sharing your lovely home.
We couldn’t be happier with our stay in this house. The home and property were clean and the location can’t be beat! The views could not be beat and the proximity to the ocean was fantastic! It was the perfect house to use as our son got married at the Ocean Isle Chapel. There was tons of space that allowed people to spread out. Marnie, the owner, couldn’t have been more fantastic and we appreciated her recommendations!
We absolutely loved our stay at Founder's Manor. Marnie was very responsive and helpful throughout the week. The house was phenomenal and large enough for our family. The kitchen was well equipped with everything we needed. The outside areas were fantastic, and we had ample room to park our cars and the golf carts we rented. We also enjoyed how close we were to everything and that we could walk to restaurants, the pier, the beach, etc. It was a perfect week, and I would strongly recommend Founder's Manor as a wonderful home in OIB!
Our family really enjoyed our visit to Ocean Isle Beach! It was fun staying in a house with so much history. The house was in a great location, within walking distance to the beach, ice cream shops and a playground for the kids. We loved that our extended family of 12 could all eat our meals together around the large dining table, and could gather for games and conversation in the large living room. The outdoor space was lovely as well! If I could make one improvement, it would be to make the downstairs bath more private since the shower door opens directly into the bedroom. Overall, this was a great gathering space for our family!
I absolutely love Marnie & this house! Me & my husband had our wedding here & the entire bridal party was able to stay here for the weekend, along with having our ceremony and reception here too. Marnie was a phenomenal host throughout the entire process. The house is absolutely stunning and in pristine condition!
Founder’s Manor is a beautiful property that is perfect for a short weekend getaway or week long stay at the beautiful, family friendly Ocean Isle Beach. The home is unique and perfect for a family vacation. Not even the cloudy weather and rain showers from Hurricane Erin could put a damper on our weekend trip. The entire family LOVED the house with all its unique character and charm, plenty of space for everyone (our group of 12), lots of room to cook, plenty of sleeping space, and plenty of areas to escape and have your own me time. The outdoor space is beautiful with plenty of seating. It was nice to be able to sit outside and just relax all while taking in the views that the property has to offer. The beautiful landscaping, lush green grass, ocean and creek views that surround the property were all breathtaking. I literally have nothing negative to say about the home and could continue to write about all the things that we enjoyed about the home. I selfishly wish that this home and property could be just my little secret but everyone should get the opportunity to experience the magic of Founder’s Manor at least once. Marine Williamson was extremely kind, caring and absolutely the best to work with. Communication with Marine was a breeze.
Our family had the pleasure of staying one week at Founder's Manor. We have been visiting OIB off and on since 2007, and this house has always intrigued us. The inside was exactly like the photos shown, and the furnishings are authentic and beautiful. We had more than enough room for our family. The beds and pillows are extremely comfortable. Having two full kitchens in the house was an added bonus. The most amazing part for us was the amount of privacy you have with such an enormous lot. Although not technically oceanfront, you have unobstructed views of the ocean, and also Jink's Creek. It was so nice not having loud neighbors right on top of you. So much of OIB has been developed in the last few years so we enjoyed this extra space. Marnie is extremely easy to communicate with and offered additional information about the Tuesday market and Friday night concert without us even asking. One of our favorite parts was attending church on Sunday just after Tropical Storm Chantal had passed by. This was our first visit to the chapel built in honor of Mrs. Williamson and that made it even more special. We would definitely stay here again. Thank you for sharing your piece of family and history with our family.