Fernandina Beach is one city in Nassau County in the state of Florida in the United States of America, most part of Fernandina Beach is within Amelia Island, the other part is just off the island.

The area was first inhabited by the Timucuan tribe.

Known as the "Isle of 8 Flags", it had the following flags flown over it since 1562: France , Spain , Great Britain , Spain (again), the Patriots of Amelia Island, the Green Cross of Florida, Mexico, the Confederate States of America , and the United States .

-- Flags over the years. The breakdown

French flag

French Huguenot explorer Jean Ribault becomes the first (recorded) European visitor to Napoyca in 1562, which he names Isle de Mar. In 1565, Spanish forces led by Pedro Menendez de Aviles drive the French from northeastern Florida, slaughtering Ribault and approximately 350 other French colonists.

 Spanish flag

In 1573, Spanish Franciscans establish the Santa Maria mission on the island, which is named Isla de Santa Maria. The mission was abandoned in 1680 after the inhabitants refuse a Spanish order to relocate. British raids force the relocation of the Santa Catalina de Guale mission on St. Catherine's Island, Georgia, to the abandoned Santa Maria mission on the Island in 1685. In 1702, this mission was again abandoned when James Moore, a colonial governor of South Carolina, leads a joint British-Indian invasion of Florida.


English flag

Georgia's founder and colonial governor, James Oglethorpe, decides to rename the island, Amelia Island is the name he choose in honor of princess Amelia (1710-1786), King George II's daughter, although the island was still a Spanish possession. After establishing a small settlement on the northwestern edge of the island, Oglethorpe negotiates with Spanish colonial officials for a transfer of the island to British sovereignty. Colonial officials agree to the transfer, but the King of Spain nullifies the agreement.

The Treaty of Paris in 1763 ratifies Britain's victory in the Seven Years' War, ceding Florida to Britain in exchange for Havana and nullifying all Spanish land grants in Florida. The Proclamation of 1763 established the St. Mary's River as East Florida's northeastern boundary.

Spanish flag

In 1783, the Second Treaty of Paris ends the Revolutionary War and returns Florida to Spain. British inhabitants of Florida had to leave the province within 18 months unless they swore allegiance to Spain. In 1811, surveyor George J. F. Clarke plats the town of Fernandina, named in honor of King Ferdinand VII of Spain.

Patriot flag

With the approval of President James Madison and Georgia Governor George Mathews in 1812-1813, insurgents known as the "Patriots of Amelia Island" seize the island. After raising a Patriot flag, they replace it with the United States Flag. American gunboats under the command of Commodore Hugh Campbell maintain control of the island until Spanish pressure forces their evacuation in 1813.

Green Cross of Florida flag

Spanish forces erect Fort San Carlos on the island in 1816. Led by Gregor MacGregor in 1817, a Scottish-born soldier of fortune, 55 musketeers seize Fort San Carlos, claiming the island on behalf of the "Green Cross."

Mexican rebel flag

Spanish soldiers force MacGregor's withdrawal, but their attempt to regain complete control is foiled by American irregulars organized by Ruggles Hubbard and former Pennsylvania congressman Jared Irwin. Hubbard and Irwin later join forces with the French-born pirate Luis Aury, who lays claim to the island on behalf of the Republic of Mexico. U. S. Navy forces drive Aury from the island, and President James Monroe vows to hold Amelia Island "in trust for Spain."

Confederate flag

On January 8, 1861, right before Florida's secession, Confederate sympathizers take control of Fort Clinch, abandoned by Federal workers who had been constructing the fort. General Robert E. Lee visits Fort Clinch in November 1861 and then again in January 1862, during a survey of coastal fortifications.

United States flag

Union forces, consisting of 28 gunboats commanded by Commodore Samuel Dupont restore Federal control of the island on March 3, 1862 and raise the American Flag.

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Nassau County was founded in December 29, 1824 and It was named for the Duchy of Nassau in Germany. Nassau county has a total area of 1,880 km² (726 sq miles). 1,688 km² (652 sq mi) of it is land and 192 km² (74 sq mi) of it is water, much of it in the Atlantic Ocean. The total area is 10.24% water. Fernandina Beach is located on Amelia Island, the county's one inhabited island. (According to the U.S. Census Bureu)

This county is governed by the five-member of the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners, who are elected to four-year terms by the county voters. The terms are staggered so that either three or two commissioners (alternately) are up for election every two years.

The main environmental and agricultural body is the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District, which works closely with other agencies in the Nassau County.

Municipalities in Nassau County

There are only three incorporated municipalities in Nassau County; Callahan, Fernandina Beach and Hilliard. The following list is for unincorporated municipalities;  Amelia City, American Beach, Andrews, Boulogne, Bryceville, Chester, Crandall, Crawford, Dahoma, Dyal, Evergreen, Franklintown, Glenwood, Gross, Hedges, Hero, Ingle, Italia, Keene, Kent, Kings Ferry, Lessie, Nassau Village-Ratliff, Nassauville, O'Neil, Verdie, Yulee Heights and Yulee.

Nassau County - Basic Links

Nassau County, Florida - Government Website
http://www.nassaucountyfl.com/

Nassau County Record
http://www.nassaucountyrecord.com/articles/2007/12/10/

Public Library System
http://sirsi.nassau.lib.fl.us/

Building Department
http://www.nassauflbuilding.com/

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One of the southernmost of the Sea Islands, a chain of barrier islands that stretches along the east coast of the United States from South Carolina to Florida. Amelia Island is only 13 miles long (21 km) and approximately 4 miles (6 km) wide at its widest point. Situated south of Cumberland Island, Georgia, off the coast of Florida in Nassau County . Fernandina Beach and Amelia City are both located on the island.

Amelia Island was named by Georgia's founder James Oglethorpe in honor of King George II's daughter Amelia, even thought he named it when the island was still under the Spanish posetion.

Also known as the "Isle of Eight Flags", Amelia Island is host to many different top-notch events such as the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, the Amelia Island Jazz Festival, the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance and the Bausch & Lomb Tennis Championships among others.

The remaining barrier islands of Florida are:
Ana Maria Island
Canaveral National Seashore
Cape St. George Island
Captiva Island
Dog Island
Gasparilla Island
Hutchinson Island South, Florida
Hutchinson Island, Florida
Jupiter Island
Longboat Key, Florida
Merritt Island, Florida
North Hutchinson Island, Florida
Orchid Island, Florida
Sanibel Island
Santa Rosa Island, Florida
Siesta Key, Florida
St. George Island
St. Vincent Island, Florida
Useppa Island

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The Historic District, downtown Fernandina Beach, is situated along the Amelia River, south of the port facilities, along the railroad tracks and across from the Fernandina Harbor Marina. This charming and perfect location allows easy exploring of the city's best known features such as great variety of restaurants and shops.

Fernandina Beach was named "One of a Dozen Distinctive Destinations Worth Discovering" in 2002 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The 52-block historic district is comprised of over 400 beautiful homes, churches, public buildings and commercial structures and shops listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You will enjoy visiting this working Victorian-era fishing village that was renowned far and wide as the "Newport of the South" as a tourist destination in the late 1800’s.

Our historic disctrict is also very popular due to great local events such as the Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, held every year since 1963 in the downtown area of Fernandina Beach.

The numerous Victorian-style houses are another main attraction, some of those are now turned into Bed & Breakfast accomodations in order to provide visitors an even more traditional visit, and that is not all. If you look for some old-town feeling you may also ride a horse-drawn carriage, very popular among visitors looking for a little history talk about our great city.


Resources:

National Register of Historic Places
http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/

National Trust for Historic Preservation
http://www.nationaltrust.org/funding/

Eight Flags Shrimp Festival - Information


Eight Flags Shrimp Festival - Website
http://www.shrimpfestival.com/

Bed & Breakfast - Directory
http://ameliaislandfernandinabeach.com/business-directory/37.html

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