CLAY COUNTY HISTORICAL
AND RAILROAD MUSEUM

By  Mike Miller May 3, 2025

The Clay County Historical and Railroad Museum in Green Cove Springs, Florida, preserves the county’s past. Located in the 1890 Courthouse Annex, it showcases everyday life from the last century.

Exhibits include a country store, early kitchen, and a railroad collection. Volunteers run the museum, offering a glimpse into Clay County’s history and culture. 

Lil Red Caboose at Clay County Historical and Railroad Museum

Founded in 1966 by the Clay County Historical Society, the museum opened in 1975. It houses artifacts donated or purchased to educate the public.

The railroad collection, added in 1992, features a caboose, train station from Elkton, and items collected by Bud Hess.

Clay County, formed in 1858, relied on the St. Johns River for trade and transport. Green Cove Springs, the county seat since 1871, was a busy railroad hub.

The museum’s exhibits reflect rural life, agriculture, and the area’s role as a Jacksonville bedroom community. Artifacts like a printing press and vintage clothing show how residents lived and worked. 

The museum is at 915 Walnut Street, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043, in the Clay County Historical Triangle. This area includes the 1894 jail and 1890 courthouse.

It’s open Fridays from 11 am to 1 pm and Sundays from 2 pm to 5 pm, except holidays. Call (904) 284-9644 to schedule tours. Volunteers staff the museum, so confirm hours before visiting.

Admission is free, but donations support preservation. The site is near the St. Johns River, with parking available.

Combine your visit with the nearby Military Museum of North Florida for a full day of history. 

• The museum’s red caboose invites visitors to climb aboard.  

• Its train station, moved from Elkton, still has original signals and lanterns.  

• A doll room features antique toys, while the Slim Whitman Collection displays music memorabilia.  

• The bank vault, once part of the courthouse, now holds historical documents.  

• Green Cove Springs was once called White Sulfur Springs due to its mineral springs, attracting 19th-century health tourists.  

• The museum’s printing press still works, offering a hands-on look at old technology.  

• Annual events like the Celebrate Clay County History Festival in May bring the site to life with tours and activities. 

CLAY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY WEBSITE