An Ortega house that once was home to Henry and Margaret Blount, the namesake for Blount Island, is on the market.
The Blounts constructed the four-bedroom, four-bathroom brick house at 4804 Arapahoe Ave. in 1928.
They had four daughters, and the home was passed down through generations until the most recent owner died. There were no immediate family members to take over the property.
The asking price is $595,000. Realtor Sandy Miller with Engel & Völkers Jacksonville Beach said there was a bidding war for the property, but it is in the early contingency stage with a couple who grew up in the neighborhood.
The 3,186-square-foot house has hardwood floors throughout, granite counters, decorative cabinets, a two-car garage and mature oaks on the property.
It has an entry hall, great room and dining room space.
The seller will consider offers from the buyer for the vacant quarter-acre lot behind the house.
Margaret Blount was the daughter of John N.C. Stockton, the president of the Ortega Company, which developed the Ortega neighborhood.
He offered his daughter and Henry Blount their choice of one empty lot along Florida 211, now known as Ortega Boulevard and St. Johns Avenue. on the St. Johns River, or two empty lots on Arapahoe Avenue. They built the house on one lot, and left the other, which can be sold with the house, empty.
Henry Blount served in the Florida Legislature in the 1940s. He eventually became the attorney for Jacksonville and Duval County.
Blount Island formerly was known as Goat Island. It was renamed Blount Island to pay tribute to Blount’s service to Duval County.
