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All About Amelia Visitor& Newcomers GuideTMAMELIA ISLAND During the 1800s, Amelia Island was one of Florida%u2019s original tourist destinations. Still today, Amelia Island receives accolades as one of the %u201cTop 10%u201d Islands to visit in the United States. With its unique charm and beauty, Amelia Island is a little over 13 %u00bd miles long, 18 square miles in size, the northernmost port of call along the Intracoastal Waterway in Florida, and the southernmost island in the barrier chain. Experience Southern hospitality at its best. Amelia Island offers almost 13 miles of uninterrupted magnificent pristine beaches along the Atlantic Ocean%u2019s eastern seaboard, boasting world-class resorts, golf courses, spas, and restaurants. Today, Fernandina Beach is also renowned as one of the few remaining %u201cHistoric Victorian Seaside Communities.%u201d Come find out what Amelia Island is %u201cAll About.%u201d OUR HISTORY Tracing back to as early as 1100 AD, northeast Florida was first inhabited by the Native American Timucuan Indians. By the 19th century, the Timucua became extinct as they fell victim to infectious diseases imported by Ponce de Leon and other Europeans. 1562. Jean Ribauld landed on Amelia Island, claimed it for France, and raised the French flag. 1565. Just after establishing St. Augustine (the oldest town in the United States), Spanish forces led by Pedro Menedez defeated the French, founded the %u201cSanta Maria Mission,%u201d raised the Spanish flag, and claimed the Island for Spain. 1736. Before the English took possession, Georgia Governor James Ogelthorpe led an expedition onto the Island, naming it %u201cAmelia Island%u201d in honor of England%u2019s King George 2nd%u2019s daughter Amelia. 1742. Georgia GovernorOgelthorpe abandoned the island. 1761. The Spanish ally with the French in the French-Indian War/The seven-year war between Great Britain and France, as well as their respective allies. 1763. Great Britain was victorious over the French, and as a result, the %u201cTreaty of Paris%u201d awarded Florida to England. The English took possession of Amelia Island and raised their flag. 1811. After the American Revolution, the second %u201cTreaty of Paris%u201d returned Florida to Spain in reward for supporting the Americans. The Spanish post was named Fernandina in honor of King Ferdinand 7th of Spain. The Spanish flag was raised once again. 1812. March. American %u201cPatriots%u201d from St. Mary%u2019s, Georgia, took a run at the Spanish, raising their flag without shedding a drop of blood, only to be driven out once again by the Spanish, who once again raised the Spanish flag.1817, Gregor MacGregor drove out the Spanish to raise his own Family flag. MacGregor, on hearing that the Spanish were preparing a counterattack, decided to vacate the Island. Luis Aury, a Frenchman who had supported MacGregor, was busy plundering Spanish ships, by the kind permission of the Mexican revolutionaries. On hearing of MacGregor%u2019s plight, Aury sailed into Fernandina to support him, only to find that MacGregor had already left. Aury hoisted the Mexican Revolutionary flag, declaring himself ruler of the Island. In December of that same year, American ships sailed into Fernandina to reclaim the Island %u201cIn trust for Spain%u201d and raised the American flag once again. 1821. July 10th. Spain ceded Florida to the United States. 1861. January 8th. Two days before Florida seceded from the Union, the %u201cConfederate Florida Volunteers%u201d took possession of Fort Clinch, raising the Confederate flag. 1862. Early. The Confederate forces abandoned their position on hearing that Union gunboats were bearing down on them. Finally, Union forces replaced the Confederate flag with the %u201cStars and Stripes.%u201d As a result, Amelia Island has the distinction of being the only place in America to have been under the dominion of eight different flags. OUR NATURAL TREASURE This is a nature lover%u2019s paradise, where exotic and endangered species seek refuge, which includes Sea turtles, gopher tortoises, manatees, otters, deer, raccoons, bobcats, and a wide variety of birds and reptiles, including the American alligator. The main prize for all avid bird watchers is to catch a glimpse of the %u201cPainted Bunting%u201d in their natural habitat. Ninety percent of all sea turtles nesting in the U.S. nest in Florida. Help protect our dunes. They are environmentally sensitive, so please do not walk on them or pick any of the sea-oats. Horses and vehicles are prohibited. Driving onto the beach is permissible at Amelia Island State Park, Burney Beach, Peters Point, and Seaside Park. If you are from outside of Nassau County, you will need a permit to drive onto the beach. Handicap access is provided at Burney Beach, Main Beach, North Beach, Peters Point, and Seaside Park. Alcohol is prohibited on both County and City beaches, and all dogs are required to be on leashes. Here are some of the more popular beaches:American Beach.(County) islisted on the National Register of Historic Places, and recognized as one of the few places AfricanAmericans were allowed to go to the beach in the South during the Jim Crow era. The 60-foot high, 8 %u00bd acre NaNa dune system is part of the Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve and comes under the protection of the National Park Service. Burney Beach/ Burney Beach Park. 1556 Gregg St. Lifeguard protected seven days a week. 9 am - 5 pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day, and weekends during May. Beach access, fishing, Handicap access, Indoor & outdoor showers, pavilion, picnic tables, restrooms, Large paved parking lot. Main Beach (City of Fernandina). Lifeguard protected seven days a week. 9 am - 5 pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day, and weekends during May. Gazebos, Handicap access, Outdoor Showers, Picnic Tables, Playground, Restrooms, Volleyball Court. North Beach Park. 1230 N. Fletcher Ave. Lifeguard protected seven days a week. 9 am - 5 pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day, and weekends during May. Boardwalk to the beach/Pavilions/Picnic tables. Peters Point.(County). Lifeguard protected seven days a week. 9 am - 5 pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day, and weekends during May. Covered picnic tables, handicapped access, a large paved parking lot, restrooms, showers, and wooden walkways to the beach. The Scott Road Beach access is just south of Peters Point. Paved parking lot. Seaside Park. 2002 S. Fletcher. Lifeguard protected seven days a week. 9am - 5pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day, and weekends during May. Boardwalk to the beach/Outdoor Showers/Pavilions/Picnic tables/Restrooms. Amelia Island State Park. Located on the southern tip of the Island. A $2 entrance fee is required per person. OUR PARKSFor a community the size of Amelia Island, and Fernandina Beach, there is an amazing system of parks and recreational activities. The following are some of Amelia Island%u2019s major parks. For a complete list of facilities, go tonassaucountyfl.comAmelia Island State Park/George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park.$2 entry fee per person. Biking/running/walking. Beaches/canoeing/equestrian trail/fishing/horseback riding/kayaking/South end of Island.A1A North. PH. 904-251-2320 Burney Beach Park. (Listed under beaches) Central Park. 1200 Atlantic Ave. Baseball/gazebo/Petanque courts/pickle ball/playground/picnic tables/restrooms/tennis/Veterans Memorial. Egan%u2019s Creek Greenway. Biking/Walking/Leashed pets/Wildlife viewing. Egan%u2019s Creek Park. 2201 Atlantic Ave. kayak launch & restrooms/outdoor fitness equipment/Paved fitness trail. A saltwater estuary teaming with marine life. Fernandina Beach Skate Park. 25 Tarpon St.Amelia Island is one of the fortunate places where the Green, Leatherback, and Loggerhead Sea Turtles emerge from the ocean during the summer months to lay their eggs in the sands of the Amelia Island beaches. Cordoned-off areas marked with orange construction tape have been placed there by volunteers to help protect the nests and to help monitor the hatchlings. Our rare maritime forest ecosystem is the main attraction. Large live oaks draped with Spanish moss are prevalent in Amelia Island State Park, Egan%u2019s Creek Greenway, and Fort Clinch State Park. Not only do these trees provide a refuge to a wide variety of wildlife, but their root system provides a valuable anchor for the Island itself. The mild climate and the natural flora and fauna lend themselves to an amazing choice of options for outdoor activities. Beach-combing the magnificent beaches, boating, cycling, fishing/sportfishing, golf, hiking, kayaking, sailing, sightseeing, swimming, tennis & pickleball, walking, or simply soaking up the sun. OUR BEACHES Almost 13 miles of uninterrupted magnificent pristine quartz sand beaches extend the whole Atlantic side of the Island, with unlimited public access. Fletcher Ave (Florida A1A) which runs parallel to the ocean for most of the way, serves as the conduit to beach access to no less than 40 beaches along North and South Fletcher Ave. Look for the blue signs with beach numbers posted on Fletcher. They indicate access to that particular beach, many of which come with free public parking spaces. All of the beaches are open to the public, but be aware that only four are lifeguard-protected. Beach access is also available at Fort Clinch State Park, Amelia Island State Park, and at five Nassau County access points.