On Wednesday, July 19th, Addie, Sierra, and I took a day outing to Amelia Island. We did a walking tour - Fernandina Beach Historic Tour around the town.
Amelia Island is on the Amelia Island River.
Isn't this Hampton Inn very Florida-like? It looks like it should be on an island. :)
We packed a lunch and ate at the marina.
Lots of cute shops on Centre Street including a Christmas shop.
Of course, we always find bookstores! This was a cute shop called The Book Loft. It had a loft! Ha!
Some historic beautiful homes in the area.
Villa Las Palmas - Built by John R. Mann in 1910 for lumberman, Nathaniel B. Borden. The California mission-style residence was a gift to Borden's 17 yr. old bride. After Borden's death in 1944, the house was sold to Harry Sahlman, a shrimping pioneer.
We were drenched in sweat just walking the town.
St. Michael's Catholic Church - Founded in 1784 where services took place in the area of Old Town. The current Romanesque church was built in 1872 and a parish hall was erected circ 1890-1900. Since the British occupation of 1763-1783, there have been over 25 pastors and 50 visitant and resident priests serving the needs of the parish.
Chadwick House - This Queen Anne-style home set atop brick piers, was built in 1883 by Captain Stephen Chadwick, Jr. owner of a tugboat company and livery stable. Its rich history is revealed in the ornate, carved wood banisters, original working fireplaces, heart pine flooring, quaint picture rails, and original windows and millwork.
Humphreys House - Built by Dr. D.G. Humphreys in 1900-02, the Queen Anne-style home is embellished with interior and exterior gingerbread detail, high ceilings, and wood frames around the windows and archways. The house has four fireplaces, each with original tile and intricately carved golden oak mantels.
Baker House - The 17-room Baker House was built in 1859 and was purchased in 1860 by the Rev. Archibald Baker who came to Fernandina to become the first minister of First Presbyterian Church. It has remained in the Baker family, except for the time when occupied but Union Troops during the Civil War.
Hirth House - Originally built in 1886 by architect Robert Schuyler for a newspaperman, the home was later purchased by Louis Hirth, the founder of the Palace Saloon. Hirth House is located in the Silk Stocking district, roughly bounded by 9th, Broome, Ash, and 5th Streets, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
Tabby House - Designed by architect, R.S. Schuyler of New York and built in 1885 for C.W. Lewis, this home is a beautiful example of Victorian architecture. Built from bricks made of concrete and local shells, it is lovingly referred to as "The Tabby House" by its owners and local residents. However, the building materials are not altogether "tabby", which is a mixture of lime, sand, water, and crushed oyster shells.
Addison House - Built in 1876 as a private home for merchant Frank Simmons, the home has undergone several renovations/additions over the years but has kept the original architectural style. The main building has had many uses during its history including a private home, an infirmary during the Yellow Fever epidemic, a doctor's office, a rooming house for mill workers, and daycare for their children.
Blue Heron Inn - Constructed around 1904 by Floyd Wright, this home in the Silk Stocking District was once home to an eye doctor clinic. Throughout various renovations, the home has kept much of its original heart pine floors, 2 fireplaces, and light fixtures.
Hoyt House - Built in 1905 by builder John Mann, the house is modeled after the Rockefeller Cottage on Jekylll Island. Banker Fred W. Hoyt, along with his wife Kate and their three boys, resided there until Mrs. Hoyt's death in 1927. The Everett Mizell family enjoyed a comfortable life in this grand home for the next half-century.
St. Peter's Episcopal Church - Built in 1884 by architect Robert Schuyler, the church suffered a tragic blow in February of 1892 when a fire erupted in the basement furnace room and swept up to the tower destroying most all of the church building but the robing room. Robert Schuyler was retained once again and rebuilt in 1893 allowing "The Jewel of Centre Street" to flourish once again.
Nassau County Courthouse - Designed in the Classical Revival style, the courthouse 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. It is one of the finest surviving Victorian courthouses in Florida and is the oldest county courthouse in continuous use.
Lesesne House - The Classical Revival style residence, built by Dr. John F. Lesesne in 1856, is one of the oldest homes in Fernandina Beach. It is constructed of hand-hewn lumber fastened with wooden pegs. After Lesesne left Fernandina during the Civil War and never returned, the house became the property of the family of Judge John Friend.
US Post Office - Architect James Knox Taylor began construction on the Post Office and Customs House in 1909 with dedication in 1912. It was designed in Italian Renaissance Style. On the second floor of the Post Office is a fully restored courtroom that served the area early in this century.
Chandlery Building - The Chandlery building is one of the prettiest downtown Fernandina structures. Built by A.B. Noyes as a grocery after the fire of 1876, the third floor wasn't added until 1901. The building is best known for Fred Hoyt's ship's chandlery. Today, it is home to retail stores.
The Palace Saloon - Originally constructed as a haberdashery in 1878, this building was purchased in 1901 by Louis G. Hirth, transformed, and re-opened as the Palace Saloon in 1903. The Palace survived the Prohibition years by selling Texaco gasoline, ice cream, special wines, 3 percent near beer, and cigars. And for those strong enough to try it, legend says Hirth made available his signature Cumberland whiskey. The Palace is Florida's oldest operating saloon.
The Cinnamon Bear.
Amelia Island is the southernmost of the Sea Islands and the northernmost of the barrier island on Florida's Atlantic coast.
It is the only U.S. location to have been under the dominion of eight different flags.
It is said that the French visited, the Spanish developed, the English named, and the Americans tamed it.
French flag - 1562-1564
Spanish flag- 1565-1763 and 1783-1821
British flag- 1763-1783
Patriots flag- 1812
Green Cross flag (Scottish) - 1817
Mexican Revolutionary flag- 1817
National Flag of the Confederacy - 1861-1862
United States - 1821-Present
Welcome Center/Historic Train Depot - The current building opened in 1899 and served as the railroad depot until the 1930s. This is the 2nd depot for Fernandina Beach and was built for Florida's first cross-state railroad. The original depot was constructed between 1855 and 1881 at the city docks but was destroyed by the famous Hurricane of 1898. The depot is now home to the Amelia Island Welcome Center.
There were a few places we didn't see but we were running out of steam in the heat and humidity. :)
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