Fernandina Beach Historic District

Last updated

Fernandina Beach Historic District
Fernandina Beach FL HD house03.jpg
USA Florida location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location Fernandina Beach, Florida
Coordinates 30°40′13″N81°27′42″W / 30.67028°N 81.46167°W / 30.67028; -81.46167
Area1,500 acres (610 ha)
Architectural style Victorian and Frame Vernacular (predominant styles) [1]
NRHP reference No. 73000593 [2]  (original)
87000195 [2]  (increase)
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJuly 20, 1973 [2]
Boundary increaseApril 20, 1987 [1] [2]

The Fernandina Beach Historic District is a U.S. historic district located in Fernandina Beach, Florida on Amelia Island. The Fernandina Beach Historic District was included on the National Register of Historic Places on July 20, 1973 and encompasses approximately 1,500 acres (610 ha), bounded by North 9th Street, Broome, Ash, South 5th Street, Date, and South 8th Street. On April 20, 1987, the National Register listing was expanded to include an additional 970 acres (3.9 km2), bounded by Sixth, Broome, North 3rd, & Escambia Streets; Seventh & Date Streets, and Ash. Approximately 300 buildings are included in this district.

Contents

David Levy Yulee, one of the first United States senators from Florida, established the first cross-state railroad running from Fernandina Beach to Cedar Key, which opened on March 1, 1861. When Yulee established the railroad, he platted "new" Fernandina, shifting the town of Fernandina to its present location. Prior to this, Fernandina was located further north in what is now known as Old Town, or the Original Town of Fernandina Historic Site, also on the National Register of Historic Places. The railroad development, in addition to the bustling maritime industry along the Amelia River waterfront, caused "new" Fernandina to boom. Buildings in the Fernandina Beach Historic District reflect this late 19th and early 20th century development.

Significant buildings within the Historic District include the Nassau County Courthouse, the Post Office, the Train Depot, Public School No. 1, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, the First Presbyterian Church, St. Michael's Catholic Church and Academy, the Waas House, the Fairbanks House, the Tabby House, and the Bailey House. Residential architecture is most commonly frame vernacular style, often with Queen Anne influences. Robert Schuyler, a well-known architect in northeast Florida, designed St. Peter's and Public School No. 1. The Post Office is credited to James Knox Taylor, Supervising Architect of the United States Department of Treasury from 1897 to 1912.

The City of Fernandina Beach recognized the importance of the Historic District in telling the story of Fernandina's heritage, and in 1975 passed a historic preservation ordinance protecting this district by establishing local boundaries. The ordinance also created design guidelines for rehabilitation and construction projects on the historic buildings, and in addition created the City's Historic District Council, who reviews the projects. In 1985 and again in 2007, the City had the Historic District professionally surveyed to inventory the historic buildings. The ordinance and City land development regulations have been updated periodically to reflect contemporary historic preservation practices and to include updated information based on the surveys. The John Denham Palmer House, Amelia Island Lighthouse, and Peck High School have also all been individually included in the local historic district boundaries.

The Historic District is home to shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts, and residences. The Amelia Island Museum of History is directly adjacent to the District, and Fort Clinch and the beach are within a short distance east. Each year in May, the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival takes place in the Historic District, attracting thousands of visitors.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nassau County, Florida</span> County in Florida, United States

Nassau County is the northeasternmost county of the U.S. state of Florida. According to the July 2022 United States Census analysis, the county's population was 97,899.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fernandina Beach, Florida</span> City in Florida, United States

Fernandina Beach is a city in northeastern Florida and the county seat of Nassau County, Florida, United States. It is the northernmost city on Florida's Atlantic coast, situated on Amelia Island, and is one of the principal municipalities comprising Greater Jacksonville. The area was first inhabited by the Timucuan Indian people. Known as the "Isle of 8 Flags", Amelia Island has had the flags of the following nations flown over it: France, Spain, Great Britain, Spain (again), the Republic of East Florida (1812), the Republic of the Floridas (1817), Mexico, the Confederate States of America, and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yulee, Florida</span> Census County Division in Florida, United States

Yulee is a Census County Division (CCD) located within Nassau County, Florida, in the United States. Positioned in northeastern Florida, Yulee lies directly south of the Florida-Georgia state line, marked by the St. Marys River. Furthermore, it is situated 24 miles north of downtown Jacksonville, Florida. As of the latest survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2021, the CCD's population is recorded at 36,742. Yulee is a constituent of the Jacksonville metropolitan area, which encompasses an estimated population of approximately 1.68 million individuals as of 2022. Presently, the Yulee Census County Division serves as a residential bedroom community for individuals commuting to Jacksonville, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, and various locations in Southeast Georgia. It is also actively engaged in efforts to broaden its tax base for economic diversification.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Levy Yulee</span> American senator

David Levy Yulee was an American politician and attorney who served as the senator from Florida immediately before the American Civil War. A secessionist and slaveowner, he also founded the Florida Railroad Company and served as president of several other rail companies, earning him the nickname of "Father of Florida Railroads."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amelia Island</span> Island in the U.S. state of Florida

Amelia Island is a part of the Sea Islands chain that stretches along the East Coast of the United States from South Carolina to Florida; it is the southernmost of the Sea Islands, and the northernmost of the barrier islands on Florida's Atlantic coast. Lying in Nassau County, Florida, it is 13 miles (21 km) long and approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) wide at its widest point. The communities of Fernandina Beach, Amelia City, and American Beach are located on the island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida Central and Peninsular Railroad</span> Historic railroad system

The Florida Central and Peninsular Railroad was the final name of a system of railroads throughout Florida, becoming part of the Seaboard Air Line Railway in 1900. The system, including some of the first railroads in Florida, stretched from Jacksonville west through Tallahassee and south to Tampa. Much of the FC&P network is still in service under the ownership of CSX Transportation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida State Road 200</span> State highway in Florida, United States

State Road 200 is a major diagonal road in central and northeast Florida. Its southern terminus is at US 41 in Hernando. Its eastern terminus is at SR A1A in Fernandina Beach, at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Fletcher Avenue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amelia Island Light</span> Lighthouse in Florida, United States

The Amelia Island Light is the oldest existing lighthouse in the state of Florida in the United States. It is located near the northern end of Amelia Island in the northeastern part of the state. Its light marks St. Marys Entrance, the inlet leading to St. Marys River, the Cumberland Sound and the harbor of Fernandina Beach, Florida along the Amelia River. The white light flashes every ten seconds which turns red from 344° to 360° when covering the shoal water in the vicinity of Nassau Sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fort Clinch State Park</span> State park in Florida, United States

The Fort Clinch State Park is a Florida State Park, located on a peninsula near the northernmost point of Amelia Island, along the Amelia River. Its 1,100 acres (4 km2) include the 19th-century Fort Clinch, sand dunes, plains, maritime hammock and estuarine tidal marsh. The park and fort lie to the northeast of Fernandina Beach at the entrance to the Cumberland Sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Denham Palmer House</span> Historic house in Florida, United States

The John Denham Palmer House is a historic house in Fernandina Beach, Florida. It is located at 1305 Atlantic Avenue. On July 3, 1986, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tabby House (Fernandina Beach, Florida)</span> Historic house in Florida, United States

The Tabby House is a historic site in Fernandina Beach, Florida. It is located at 27 South 7th Street. On June 4, 1973, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. R. S. Schuyler, credited as the architect, is also listed as the architect of the nearby Fairbanks House, also built in 1885.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Original Town of Fernandina Historic Site</span> United States historic place

The Original Town of Fernandina Historic Site, also known as "Old Town", is a historic site in Fernandina Beach, Florida, located on Amelia Island. It is roughly bounded by Towngate Street, Bosque Bello Cemetery, Nassau, Marine, and Ladies Streets. On January 29, 1990, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places as a historic site. Lying north of the Fernandina Beach Historic District, it is accessible from North 14th Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fairbanks House (Fernandina Beach, Florida)</span> Historic house in Florida, United States

The Fairbanks House is a historic site in Fernandina Beach, Florida. It was built in 1885 for George Rainsford Fairbanks. R. S. Schuyler was the building's architect. It is located at 227 South 7th Street. On June 4, 1973, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Built as a surprise for his wife, it was reported not to have gone over well and became known as "Fairbanks Folly".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merrick-Simmons House</span> Historic house in Florida, United States

The Merrick-Simmons House is a historic house located at 102 South 10th Street in Fernandina Beach, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yulee High School</span> Public high school in Yulee, Florida, United States

Yulee High School is a comprehensive four-year school located in Yulee, Florida. The original school closed in 1965 when Florida desegregated public schools. Following desegregation, students were allowed to choose between attending West Nassau or Fernandina Beach. The current institution opened in 2006, although Yulee had been the site of a high school earlier, from the 1930s to the 1960s. The initial graduating class of Yulee High School, in 2007, had a 71% graduation rate, 23% of whom graduated with honors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amelia Island Museum of History</span>

The Amelia Island Museum of History is located at 233 South Third Street, Fernandina Beach, Florida. It houses exhibits focusing on the history of Nassau County, Florida and is situated inside the old Nassau county jail. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 18, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nassau County Courthouse (Florida)</span> Building in Florida, United States

The Nassau County Courthouse, also known as the Old Nassau County Courthouse and the Historic Nassau County Courthouse, is a historic two-story red brick courthouse building located at 416 Centre Street in Fernandina Beach, Nassau County, Florida. Designed in the Classical Revival style, it was built in 1891 and features cast-iron Corinthian columns and a massive bell tower and steeple. Meneely and Co. of West Troy, New York, cast the bell for the tower, which was used as a fire alarm for many years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Rainsford Fairbanks</span> American lawyer

George Rainsford Fairbanks (1820–1906) was a lawyer, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Florida State Senator, president of Florida Fruit Growers Association and the Florida Fruit Exchange; editor of the Florida Mirror; the author of books on Florida history; and the founder and president of Florida Historical Society. He lived in Fernandina Beach. He is listed as a Great Floridian.

Robert Sands Schuyler, often written as R. S. Schuyler and occasionally as R. V. Schuyler, was a New York architect, designer, and religious leader who moved to Florida and joined political, religious, and civil organizations on Amelia Island. He served as Clerk of the City of Fernandina, chaired the Fernandina Library Association when it was established in 1891, and was a lay reader at the Santa Fe Lake, Florida, Episcopal congregation.

The Port of Fernandina is located on Florida's Atlantic coast. It is used for terminal service for pulp and paper as well as steel exports, machinery, auto parts, chemicals, beverages, chemicals, building materials and food products. Container lines from the port serve routes to Colombia, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Aruba, Curaçao and Bermuda.

References

  1. 1 2 "Nassau County listings". Florida's History Through Its Places. Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs. July 11, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "National Register of Historical Places - Florida (FL), Nassau County". National Register of Historic Places. July 11, 2010.