Almost 3 acre, Florida 1890's homestead, located across the street from Osceola National Forest and Watertown Lake but less than 5 miles from historical downtown Lake City. This is a 2 story, 3 bedroom 2 bath lumber mill home that is frozen in time. The area was the home of The East Coast Lumber Company, Red Pep Bottling Company, and the estates of the John Paul lumber tycoon family. This house was originally the winter home of the grandparents of The East Coast Lumber Company proprietor, then housed the mill timekeeper and his family, in later years, a well known family of brick masons occupied the home. Many features of their ownership exist on the property today. The home has been carefully preserved with original heart pine beadboard walls, heart pine floors, working and keyed rim locks throughout, wall oil lanterns with cast iron sconces, large central brick gas fireplace, butler's pantry with swinging door and under the stairs canning cabinet, original french dining room doors, picture molding throughout, sleeping porch in the rear, large attic spaces with easily accessible doors, all original heart pine double hung windows, Jack and Jill bathroom downstairs with shower. Upstairs is the large master suite with 2 closets, large bathroom including claw foot tub with Kingston brass fixtures and many unique features. The home has lots of nooks and crannies. There are tons of updates as well: 7 head professionally installed mini split system, milled and kiln dried pine flooring in the kitchen, butler's pantry, and master suite, black stainless Samsung appliances including double oven, kitchen has custom made solid red oak bottom cabinets and solid red oak open shelving, porcelain coated cast iron sink, new 225 amp electrical service, new plumbing and hot water heater, septic system and drain field, new city water service but the original well is still active with a working pitcher pump, all natural gas service lines are new and an extra tap is added for a future tankless water heater, alarm system that is transferable, the original brick piers were left intact for esthetics but block piers were added around and under the home in the 3' high crawl space. The land has an established garden (ready to eat), greenhouse, rain water collection barrels, chicken coops, compost area, many fruit trees including pear, apple, fig, plum and citrus . There are thorned and thornless blackberries bushes. Ornamentals include many perennial pollinators, heirloom camellias, Mexican hydrangeas, heirloom hydrangeas, small rose garden, tea olive, giant crinum lilies and azalea. The property has a pole barn and a new shed that matches the home. The rear of the homesite is completely fenced. There are wild turkey, deer, rabbits, foxes, raccoons, and opossums if you are a wildlife observer, bird watcher, or hunter. If you enjoy history, you will not be disappointed at the amount of discoveries to be made on the property and surrounding area. In the wooded area there is an olympic sized pool which at one time was indoors. It would make a great catfish pond or could be brought back to its original glory. This homestead is very unique in its construction, preservation, and historical value. Call today to schedule your tour!
"Based on information submitted to Northeast Florida Association of REALTORS as of May 30, 2026 11:46 AM EDT . All data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. IDX information is provided exclusively for consumers’ personal, noncommercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing."