Fernandina Beach is the only incorporated municipality on Amelia Island which is located northeast of Jacksonville right on the Georgia border. With a population of about 12,000 year-round residents, swelling to double or triple that amount during tourist season, the city is the economic hub of activity on the north end of the Island. At the south end, several resorts entertain guests year-round, including Amelia Island Plantation (http://www.aipfl.com/), Summer Beach Resort, (http://www.summerbeach.com/), and a Ritz-Carlton Resort (http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/AmeliaIsland/Default.htm).
The Island has a rich and diverse heritage. Native American bands associated with the Timucuan mound-building culture settled on the island, which they called Napoyca, circa 1000. They would remain on Napoyca until the early 18th century.
Over the years, the island frequently changed possession and has been under eight (8) different flags - the only United States location to have done so–including the French, Spanish, English, Patriot, Scottish Green Cross, Mexican Rebel, Confederate, and United States flags.
Unique to city governments around the country, the city runs a Marina which sees boats, yachts, and sailing vessels hail from around the world. The picture below shows some of the boats that make their home in the Marina.
Fernandina Beach is also the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry and shrimp boats ply the waters offshore at night. During the day, as shown below, several can be seen docked at the port.
Downtown Fernandina Beach is a national historic district, with many old buildings dating to the 19th century, including the Palace Saloon seen in the background of the picture below.
While we’re here, our apartment accomodations afford us a view of the ocean. The guys live at Ocean Park (seen first below) and the girls live at Coral Sands (shown second) which is actually right on the beach.
A view of the beach from the girls’ apartment.