Jacksonville residents Todd and Beth Zitzner are no strangers to the housing construction industry, having developed and built the Brookview townhome development near the Bigham Knoll campus.

Recently, the couple turned their attention and talent to acquiring and restoring the historic Owen Keegan House at 455 Hueners Lane. Because the property is located within a few blocks of the Zitzner’s home, they, like other neighbors, watched as the home fell into disrepair and eventually became a bank-owned property. Over the course of several years, the property condition deteriorated further, drawing the ire of the Planning Department and the city’s Historic Architectural Control Commission. Luckily, in October 2017, the Zitzner’s purchased the property and began the 8-month restoration project. Todd, the owner of Z-Development, used his skills to entirely renovate the home with new electrical, plumbing, HVAC, interior/exterior finishes, modern-day appliances, amenities and more. Todd was joined in the effort by his cousins, Jim and Celeste Hammell and Todd’s amazing construction crew. Utilizing repurposed wood and other Keegan House remnants, the house creatively blends old and new. Beth, a real estate agent with the Windermere Van Vleet Jacksonville office is handling the marketing and sales-end of the project and has the home listed on the market for $650,000. The home sits on a .4 acre lot with room for additional out-buildings, including a pre-approved garage/barn/studio.

The Keegan House has an interesting history. According to research compiled by Historic Jacksonville, Inc. president Carolyn Kingsnorth in 2016…

The Owen Keegan house located at 455 Heuners Lane in Jacksonville was actually built around 1865 for Thomas Devens—a substantial dwelling for someone listed in the 1860 census as a “common laborer.” Subsequent owners used it for speculative purposes until it was acquired in 1874 by another “laborer,” Thomas Bence, who retained ownership until 1893. Keegan acquired the property that same year and resided there until his death in 1912. In the late 1800s, Keegan served as Jackson County Jailor for over 20 years. In 1906 he was the courthouse janitor, and in 1910 he served as Jackson County Bailiff. In recent years the house has not been maintained and is currently owned by a bank. The City of Jacksonville and a local neighborhood group are trying to prevent the property from becoming a victim of “demolition by neglect.”

With the home now fully-restored to its original glory, the Jacksonville community is grateful that the Zitzner’s used their passion and resources to save the Keegan House from actual demolition. As noted by Jacksonville City Planner Ian Foster, “the HARC and the Planning staff appreciate the extensive efforts the Zitzners undertook to save the Historic Keegan House. The house was in serious jeopardy of condemnation due to years of deterioration. We are thankful that the Keegan House will remain as a valuable contribution to Jacksonville’s Landmark District.”

If you’re interested in owning a piece of Jacksonville history, give Beth Zitzner a call at 541-944-6861.