Fernandina Beach Historic District
Encyclopedia
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 on July 20, 1973, encompassing 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.
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 (Fernandina Beach, Florida)
, and the Bailey House
. Residential architecture is most commonly frame vernacular style, often with Queen Anne influences. Robert Schulyer, 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.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
historic district
Historic district (United States)
In the United States, a historic district is a group of buildings, properties, or sites that have been designated by one of several entities on different levels as historically or architecturally significant. Buildings, structures, objects and sites within a historic district are normally divided...
located in Fernandina Beach
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Fernandina Beach is a city in Nassau County in the state of Florida in the United States of America and on Amelia Island. It is a part of Greater Jacksonville and is among Florida's northernmost cities. The area was first inhabited by the Timucuan Indian tribe...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
on Amelia Island. The Fernandina Beach Historic District was included on the National Register on July 20, 1973, encompassing 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.
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
Original Town of Fernandina Historic Site
The Original Town of Fernandina Historic Site, also known as “Old Town”, is a historic site in Fernandina Beach, Florida, which is 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...
, 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
Fairbanks House (Fernandina Beach, Florida)
The Fairbanks House is a historic site in Fernandina Beach, Florida. It is located at 227 South 7th Street. On June 4, 1973, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.-Gallery:...
, the Tabby House (Fernandina Beach, Florida)
Tabby House (Fernandina Beach, Florida)
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.-References:* at * at...
, and the Bailey House
Bailey House (Fernandina Beach, Florida)
The Bailey House is a historic site in Fernandina Beach, Florida. It is located at 28 South 7th Street. On June 4, 1973, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.-References:* at * at...
. Residential architecture is most commonly frame vernacular style, often with Queen Anne influences. Robert Schulyer, 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
James Knox Taylor
James Knox Taylor was Supervising Architect of the United States Department of the Treasury from 1897 to 1912. His name is listed ex officio as supervising architect of hundreds of federal buildings built throughout the United States during the period.-Early career:The son of H...
, 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
John Denham Palmer House
The John Denham Palmer House is a historic site 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.-References:...
, 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
Amelia Island Museum of History
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-Websites:*...
is directly adjacent to the District, and Fort Clinch
Fort Clinch
Fort Clinch is a 19th century brick fortress located on a peninsula near the northernmost point of Amelia Island, along the Amelia River. The fort lies to the northeast of Fernandina Beach at the entrance to the Cumberland Sound and lies within Fort Clinch State Park.-History:The site of Fort...
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
- Bailey HouseBailey House (Fernandina Beach, Florida)The Bailey House is a historic site in Fernandina Beach, Florida. It is located at 28 South 7th Street. On June 4, 1973, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.-References:* at * at...
- Fairbanks HouseFairbanks House (Fernandina Beach, Florida)The Fairbanks House is a historic site in Fernandina Beach, Florida. It is located at 227 South 7th Street. On June 4, 1973, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.-Gallery:...
- John Denham Palmer HouseJohn Denham Palmer HouseThe John Denham Palmer House is a historic site 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.-References:...
- Merrick-Simmons HouseMerrick-Simmons HouseThe Merrick-Simmons House is a historic site in Fernandina Beach, Florida. It is located at 102 South 10th Street. On January 13, 1983, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.-External links:...
- Tabby HouseTabby House (Fernandina Beach, Florida)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.-References:* at * at...
- Old TownOriginal Town of Fernandina Historic SiteThe Original Town of Fernandina Historic Site, also known as “Old Town”, is a historic site in Fernandina Beach, Florida, which is 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...