Restoring History: How We Brought an 1890 Victorian Back to Life in Green Cove Springs, FL

When we first stepped inside the 1890 Victorian in Green Cove Springs, Florida, we thought we’d stumbled upon a fixer-upper dream—outdated, yes, but with great bones (or so we thought). But what started as a passion project turned into a full-blown structural overhaul that tested our patience, our bank account, and our resolve. And yet... the final product is something we are so proud of.

Built in 1890 by JL Wilcox, a local saloon owner, this home had never left his family—passed down for generations until we bought it from his grandson. We were drawn to the rich history, the romantic charm of the Victorian architecture, and the chance to preserve something truly special in our little town. For Daniel, restoring old homes is something he loves doing. For me, it was deeply personal—my grandmother owned a Victorian when I was a child, and this house felt like a love letter to that memory.

Circa 1890

We purchased the home in November 2022, thinking we’d freshen it up cosmetically. But the moment we started peeling back drywall and uncovering what lay beneath, it was clear this house needed far more than a facelift. The entire structure had to be rebuilt—piece by painstaking piece.

Some of the Structural Damage

We spent the next two and a half years doing almost all of the work ourselves, commuting from our home 20 minutes away. The restoration quickly became a labor of love (and sometimes frustration). Every inch of this home tells a story. We carefully restored the original heart pine floors, Daniel sourced matching wood from door jambs and salvage yards to patch damaged areas.

We salvaged original lighting fixtures and turned once-deteriorating chimneys into stunning focal points in the primary bedroom and kitchen. The bathrooms and kitchen were fully modernized, but designed with period-appropriate touches—because we wanted this home to feel as authentic as possible while still functioning for today’s lifestyle.

Kitchen

One of the most meaningful transformations was the porch. Daniel poured his heart into making it look like a classic tongue-and-groove porch. It’s a detail only a true restoration geek would notice, and it’s one of his proudest moments.

There were many points when we nearly gave up. The project took more than double what we expected—double the time, double the money, and triple the emotional energy. But somehow, we made it to the end. When we walked through the finished home for the first time, it wasn’t just relief we felt—it was pride. Pride in the work, pride in the history we preserved, and pride in the love we poured into every corner.

Today, this home is on the market. (see the listing here) We’re hoping it finds an owner who appreciates not just the beauty of the house, but the story behind it. Someone who feels joy when they walk through the door and sees a piece of Green Cove Springs history brought back to life.

Primary Bedroom

Green Cove Springs may be a small town, but it’s full of charm—riverfront parks, walkable streets, a rich historic district, and so much potential. We believe this house is a crown jewel in that story, and we’re honored to have been part of its revival.

To anyone dreaming of restoring an old home: know that it will take more money, more time, and more effort than you think. It’s not like renovating a newer build. But it is absolutely worth it—for the history, for the legacy, and for the satisfaction of saying, “We saved this."