About thirty miles north of Jacksonville, close to the Georgia-Florida border, is the 13 mile Amelia Island.  We have stayed in the historic district several times.  This short travelogue will focus on our journeys to this charming community.

Amelia Island is the southernmost part of the Sea Islands chain that stretches above Charleston, SC.  Fernandina Beach is the main community and is part of Nassau County, one of 67 counties in Florida.

The name “Amelia” comes from the daughter of King George II.  The island was originally settled by the Timucua Indians about 1000AD. The French were initially the early European visitors. Then the Spanish.  This small island would fly eight different flags in its history.

On the northern end of the island is a Civil War citadel called Fort Clinch. Today it is a State Park, one of 175 State Parks in Florida.  It will cost you $6 dollars to enter—well worth the price.

  Another $2 to view the fort.

General Robert E. Lee once visited here at the end of 1861. You may be lucky enough to spot a nuclear sub traveling through the inlet coming or going from St. Mary’s in Georgia.   Seeing one is a sight you will never forget.

Along the shores you may even find shark teeth.

Not far from Fort Clinch is Florida’s oldest lighthouse dating back to 1839. It does look higher than its official 64 feet.  This lighthouse is the official emblem of Amelia Island.

 

If you are so inclined, there is a river boat daily that takes people out to see the Intracoastal and river marshes.  We have not done this activity.

If you go by the harbor and look north and south, you will see the 2 pulp mills still in operation.

Historically, the railroad played a major part in the area.

The old fashion train station still exists.

The island has grown to become a resort destination with a number of exclusive golf courses (5).  We like to meander along the historic Centre Street going into various shops and seeing the old buildings.

On Saturdays, there is an extensive “Green Market,” well worth going.

We do have several favorite restaurants. In our last visit, we uncovered Café Karibo.

 

They have the very best “Shrimp & Grits.” We loved the “demi-glazed” gravy that smothered the shrimp and grits.

 

 The owner of Karibo specializes in making her own desserts. The chocolate cake is to die for.

One of my favorite restaurants to dine at is having tapas at “Espana.”

Since our initial visit in 2007, Espana has become popular. Reservations are highly recommended.  We did enjoy their “Garlic Shrimp” dish.

The escargot smothered in tomato sauce is one of my favorites too.

If you just want to have a good American lunch, you can’t do better than visiting The Salty Pelican Bar.

It is usually crowded.  We have found they have the best Cuban Sandwich.

On the second floor of Pelican is a good vista of the Intracoastal and marsh areas.

There are quite a few sleeping options.  We are Hilton Honor Members and have always laid our heads at the Hampton Inn in the historic section. They have a good breakfast.  An inviting pool is close by on the second floor.

From our personal experiences, the historic downtown Hampton is well operated.  The style is different from many other Hamptons.

A word of caution: this Hampton is on a one-way street.  On an early Sunday morning, I attempted to go against the sign as there was a large garbage truck in the middle of the street (who picks up garbage on a Sunday?).  Sure enough, I was flagged over by Fernandina’s Finest. It would be my first traffic ticket.  The officer explained it would be a $197 ticket.  I told him, “I was absolutely wrong, and he was right.”  The officer let me off with a “strong warning” very strong. I am forever grateful to this police officer and his department.

 If the beach is your thing, there is even a Hampton south close to the Atlantic Ocean.  Book early as there are times like the Shrimp Festival where choices are few.

About eight miles south along the coast is “American Beach.”  Originally in the 1930’s, this area is where Black Americans were allowed to swim.

Some of the old buildings can still be seen.

There is a movement to restore the old night club—known as Evans Rendezvous.  Ray Charles once played here.  Hank Aaron and Joe Lewis visited the establishment.

The community gives plenty of credit to a man named “Abraham Lincoln Lewis.” He saw the need for Black Americans to have a beach too, usually only reserved for “whites.”  He would become Florida’s first Afro-American to become a millionaire operating an insurance company.

We saw cars riding on the beach just like in Daytona.  It probably has the same “coquina” rocks layer to stabilize the sand.

Unfortunately, only the locals are allowed to drive on the beach.  We did come across a friendly guard at the gate to make sure.

Across the road are the largest dune in Florida–nearly 60 feet high of white sand. The area is known as “NaNa.”

Historic Amelia reminds us of the charm visiting other Florida cities like Micanopy near Gainesville; Mt. Dora north of Orlando; Cedar Key; Apalachicola and historic St. Augustine. There is always something to see and explore in all they areas, particularly Amelia Island. Thank you for joining us in our travel sojourns.

This story is dedicated to Rich Emonds who inspired me to write about Amelia Island.