Historic $6.5 Million Waterfront Estate in Nahant Overlooks Iconic Egg Rock—Where Sea Serpents Are Said To Have Roamed for Years

An "extraordinary" 135-year-old Massachusetts estate that is perched on a bluff overlooking the ocean has hit the market in the idyllic town of Nahant for $6.5 million.

The imposing eight-bedroom property was conceived by renowned builder Joseph T. Wilson, who was responsible for constructing "many of the North Shore's grandest homes" during the late 1800s, when America's wealthiest and most prominent members of society would flock to their grand summer cottages to escape the city heat.

This particular estate was completed in 1890 and has since had just a handful of owners, who have carefully maintained its most historic details—while also adding modern updates that bring a level of new-world luxury to the impressive abode.

While the property boasts its own rich history, it comes complete with an incredible heritage that extends beyond the boundaries of its 1.2-acre parcel.

The dwelling overlooks the iconic Egg Rock, also known as Elephant Rock, a 3-acre island that was once the home of a historic lighthouse until it was destroyed in the 1920s.

However, the mystery surrounding Egg Rock has endured.

Throughout the 1800s, keen-eyed observers regularly reported sightings of sea serpents in the waters surrounding Egg Rock. According to New England Lighthouses, these sightings "were common for centuries" and were reported as recently as 1875.

While sea serpent sightings may be a thing of the past, the iconic island is still the source of many natural wonders, having been turned into a bird sanctuary when the state took over Egg Rock in 1927.

Egg Rock, which resembles a whale rising out of the ocean, has also been memorialized in literature, having served as the inspiration for Sylvia Plath's poem, "Suicide Off Egg Rock," and also featured in her storied book, "The Bell Jar."

As for the mansion itself, the property features plenty of beauty of its own, starting in the grand entryway that leads into several sizable living rooms.

Enormous floor-to-ceiling windows flood these spaces with natural light and provide jaw-dropping views of the water, as well as Egg Rock.

Perhaps the grandest of these rooms is the soaring great room that occupies two stories and opens up to the oceanfront terrace and grounds.

In total, the dwelling boasts 23 rooms spread across three magnificent stories, including a bright and airy kitchen, an elegant sunroom, and a screened-in porch that can be used year-round.

Throughout the dwelling, immaculately maintained original design details can be found, including "plaster ceilings with ornate medallions, tall Palladian windows, and elaborate woodwork," according to the listing.

"The grandeur of the original mansion remains intact, its spectacular architecture and rich period detail preserved while incorporating 21st century updates to create a luxurious seaside compound," the description adds. "This residence is built to a standard of craftsmanship and scale rarely found today."

At the very edge of the backyard, stone steps lead down to the aptly named Stony Beach—and the property is also just a few minutes' drive from the popular Short Beach, which is renowned for its soft sand.

The dwelling is also ideally located just 20 minutes from Logan Airport and downtown Boston.

Its builder and original resident was a storied member of local society, building homes for many of its most well-to-do summer visitors, including manufacturing magnate Henry Clay Frick.

According to Salem State University, Wilson's influence extended beyond that of the elite's chosen homebuilder, with the college noting that he held "more public office positions than seemed humanly possible."

"He was the chairman of the school board for 20 years, a trustee of the public library for 25 years, and a well respected judge," a biography posted on the college website notes. "He was a member of the boards of selectmen, assessors, and health for 30 years and chaired those boards for 29 of those years."

As rumor had it, Wilson ran for public office on more than 100 occasions—and reports suggest that he was never defeated in any election he took part in.