FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla – If you are an infrequent visitor to these parts, sometimes, there is uncertainty when you try to distinguish the town of Fernandina Beach from Amelia Island Plantation.
It is simple when you realize that nestled quietly and quaintly on the northern shores of Amelia Island, named by General James Oglethorpe (you remember him and his Savannah initiative) in honor of Princess Amelia, the daughter of King George II, is the town of Fernandina Beach which is named for King Ferdinand VII of Spain—a reminder that nothing is named for the first settlers here, the Timucua Indians.
Fernandina looks old because it IS old, dating back to 1565 when the Spanish ran the French, the first European inhabitants, off the island. Then the English ran the Spanish off, but the Spaniards made a comeback and regained possession of the island, which is about the size of Manhattan, until the United States took possession of the area as a result of being victorious in the Spanish-American war.
According to local tourist information, eight flags—from the French tricolor to the Confederate stars and bars—have flown over the island. You still note the Spanish influence in street names and architecture for this town where the modern shrimping industry was founded.
The history of this barrier island brings about overt fascination and the charm of Fernandina Beach leaves you uplifted as you take in the beauty of the fronds of the ever-present Palm trees jitterbugging with the wind and the majesty of the oaks which sit immovable in the middle of the streets. These sturdy staples of nature’s refreshing design have stood the test of time and bring about a reverential pause and reflection.
There are wide open spaces on Amelia, also arbors whose canopies hover over certain streets, allowing for nature’s handiwork to make you conclude, without retreat, that you are experiencing a blessed day.
There are docks and an active railroad, a comingling of commerce which reflects a “live and let live” environment that keeps Fernandina abuzz