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AMELIA ISLAND
Concours d'Elegance
AMELIA ISLAND
Amelia Island is a unique 13.5-mile
barrier island
ideal for visiting or living,
ruled under eight flags since 1562.
Named by Oglethorpe in honor of Princess Amelia, the
daughter of English King George II. Located in Nassau County in the northernmost corner of Florida, 32 miles northeast of
Jacksonville and across the St. Marys River from Georgia.
Only 20-25 feet above mean sea level, the 18.2 square mile area is bounded on the east by the Atlantic
Ocean and on the west by the Amelia River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Width varies from a quarter mile to two miles.
The City of Fernandina Beach encompasses seven square miles in the north-central portion of the island.
The only site in the United States to have been under eight flags: France; Spain; Britain; Patriots; Green Cross of Florida;
Mexico; Confederate; and USA.
Population - 20,000
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Annual Average Temperature - 69.9 degrees
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Annual Average Rainfall - 51 inches
FERNANDINA BEACH
A quaint historic seaport on Amelia Island . . . the home
of the modern shrimping industry
with a 50-block downtown district on the National Registry of Historic Places
Discovered by French explorer Jean Ribault, who set foot on where Fernandina Beach is located, in 1562.
Encompasses seven square miles in the north-central portion of Amelia Island.
Bounded on the north by the St. Marys River; on the west by the Amelia River; on the south by the municipal
airport and golf course; and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean.
Incorporated in 1951 when Fernandina and Fernandina Beach were consolidated.
Has a City Manager/City Commission form of government.
Population - 11,361.
A mix of residential and commercial late-Victorian architecture in downtown, reflecting city's great prosperity
in late 1880's. When north-south railroad line bypassed island in early 1900's, tourism moved southward and shipping declined.
Thus, old buildings were repaired rather than replaced, and the architectural heritage was preserved.
The heart of downtown is Centre Street, a charming eight-block corridor with pedestrian-friendly street-scaping
leading to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Fernandina Harbor Marina, where shrimp boats unload catches and charter boats
depart for sightseeing and fishing. Surrounding shops offer an array of art, antiques, apparel, books, candy, collectibles,
dry goods, furnishings, gifts, jewelry, merchandise, souvenirs, tobacco and toys. Cafes and restaurants provide a spectrum
of cuisine. Bed and breakfast inns furnish a selection of overnight accommodations.
Additional commercial districts with shops, restaurants and accommodations are also located along 8th and
14th Streets, Sadler Road, South Fletcher Avenue and Main Beach.
YULEE
Nassau County's largest unincorporated area is located in the central portion of the County. Consisting primarily
of residential neighborhoods along with commercial development along legendary Route A1A, it generally borders the Florida/Georgia
boundary to the north, Duval County to the south, Interstate 95 to the west, and Nassauville, one mile from Amelia Island,
to the east.
Named in 1893 for Senator David Yulee, first U.S. Senator from Florida and co-founder of the Florida Railroad Company,
which operated the first railroad across the state east to west from Fernandina Beach to Cedar Key.
First community in Florida - serving as a gateway to Amelia island and metropolitan Jacksonville. Easy commute to all
Nassau County municipalities, Jacksonville 32 minutes away, Jacksonville International Airport, and Georgia's King's Bay Naval
Base.
Population - 27,000. Encompasses 128 Square miles in Nassau County.
Residential choices are numerous and range from planned communities, waterfront and small/large private tracts to an
emerging rental market. Fastest growing residential area in Nassau County.
Location of the Florida Community College at Jacksonville's Betty P. Cook Nassau County Center, and Yulee Primary, Elementary
and Middle Schools, all of which are accredited. The Association for Retarded Citizens and a community school providing social
services are also located in Yulee along with several private schools. High school students attend Fernandina Beach High School
on Amelia Island.
Recreational activities include youth sports at the Yulee sports complex, fresh and saltwater fishing, and hunting. Community
organizations, such as the Chamber's Yulee Area Council, Lions, Optimists, Moose, YMCA, veterans organizations, Scouts and
church groups, are among a few of the options for adult civic involvement. Nassau County ocean beaches can be reached in 20
minutes.
Rapidly developing small business and services sectors include banks, supermarkets, health care facilities, motels and
campgrounds, retail stores, fast food and neighborhood restaurants, automobile dealerships, cable television, Florida Department
of Highway and Motor Vehicles, churches, cemetery, Nassau County Sheriff's office and jail, and a wide assortment of owner-operated
firms.
Industrial development includes the Yulee International Tradeplex, S&G Packaging, Springer Controls, and several
small manufacturing, service and construction firms. back to top
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