HISTORIC SPRINGFIELD HISTORIC SPRINGFIELD HISTORIC SPRINGFIELD

Historic Springfield Opens Its Doors & Porch Swings To All Of Jacksonville

Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council (SPAR) welcomes visitors from around the region to the 44th Historic Springfield Tour of Homes & Gardens. Take a stroll down historic streets, where you can enjoy the architecture and spirit of Jacksonville’s original “front porch” neighborhood.

The Springfield Historic District is home to unique historic houses, some dating back to the 1890s, as well as scenic parks, a bustling Main Street, and proximity to Downtown amenities. All of these features bring people to visit, but the sense of community is why many return. In Springfield, residents know their neighbors; not just those on their block, but all around the neighborhood. Front porches, gardens, and cafés serve as gathering places, and frequent social happenings include First Friday parties, Music on Main live concerts, community improvement projects, family programming, and Jacksonville’s favorite annual music festival, PorchFest. A playground for the wealthy and famous at the turn of the 20th century, the neighborhood is now a popular choice for those seeking an eclectic, diverse, social place to live.

SPAR Council is proud to continue the long-standing tradition of presenting the Historic Springfield Tour of

Homes & Gardens to the city of Jacksonville. This is especially true in 2023 as we continue our partnership with the presenting sponsor of this signature event: The Akers Group, with Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty. SPAR is excited to show visitors the diversity and personality of Historic Springfield and invites all of Jacksonville to experience what makes our neighborhood a fantastic place to live and play.

During SPAR’s Tour of Homes & Gardens on May 13 and 14, you’ll have six properties to tour with access to interior spaces decorated in a mix of modern and vintage styling, as well as beautiful backyard gardens and pools. Visitors will check in at SPAR’s headquarters at 1321 North Main Street to begin the tour. For an extended tour of the neighborhood, the guided bicycle ride hosted by local history expert Leigh Burdett features all stops on the tour, along with other notable places and people in Springfield’s history.

Distinguished 5+ Acre Riverfront Estate

As you approach via the quarter-mile drive, you start to gain sight of this stately custom-built mansion on the St. Johns River, like none other, located on 5.81 acres on Mandarin Road. Built in 1988 by Collier Classic Homes, this neoclassical estate, with elegant columns architecturally inspired by the historic Orton Plantation of North Carolina, o ers luxury finishes both inside and out. Located at one of the widest points on the river, this 3 bedroom, 3 full / 2 half bath home is 4,827 sq ft with 159 ft of water frontage, o ering exquisite and expansive views of the St. Johns River. The rear elevation was designed identically to the front, each with 400 sq ft of covered porches, so the observer floating by with Mint Julep in hand will enjoy the same breathtaking view as one approaching from the front. Marble floors and Schonbek crystal chandeliers are just a sampling of the distinguished finishes o ered in this fine home.