Amelia Island

Amelia Island is the southernmost in a chain of small barrier islands called the Sea Islands, located off the coast of Florida in the Atlantic Ocean. It was named for the British Princess Amelia, who was the daughter of King George II. Over the centuries, the island was under the control of eight countries. This contributed to its multicultural history, which has been preserved in state parks and museums on the island. Known for its thirteen miles of sandy beaches, luxury resorts, local shops, and seafood, Amelia Island is a popular tourist destination. In addition, the island boasts natural surroundings of rivers, salt marshes, and tidal pools, which make it popular with nature lovers and bird-watching enthusiasts. Adventurists can also find plenty to enjoy, with options including water sports, fishing, horseback riding, and biking.

Brief History

The earliest inhabitants of Amelia Island were the Timucua Indigenous Americans, who lived in northeastern Florida. They settled on the island around 1000 Common Era (CE). They called the island Napoyca and lived there until the 1700s, when they were forced out by European colonists. The Timucuan people lived off the land and the surrounding waters, hunting game, fishing, and foraging. They were known for building mounds made of shells, and they established their main village on a bluff in what became Old Town Fernandina.

European colonists arrived at Amelia Island in 1562 after French explorer René Goulaine de Laudonnière arrived at nearby St. George Island, hoping to establish a colony on the island and expand further north. In 1564, another French explorer, Jean Ribault, arrived with another group of settlers and built Fort Caroline on the St. John’s River.

However, about 40 miles away, the Spanish established a settlement in St. Augustine in 1565. The two settlements were threatened by each other’s presence and began to fight. But a storm sealed the fate of the battle when the French fleet was sunk. The Spanish took advantage of this setback and captured Fort Caroline, preserving only the lives of about fifty women and children. Then, they finished off the shipwrecked Frenchmen near Matanzas Inlet.

In 1573, the Spanish returned to the island and established a mission, calling the island Isla de Santa Maria. They began to bring more Spanish settlers and relocate Indigenous American peoples to the island, and the town of Fernandina was settled in 1685. The island was abandoned by the Spanish in 1702 when the British began to take an interest in the area. The island was invaded by James Moore, the governor of Carolina. In 1735, the governor of Georgia gave the island the name of Amelia in honor of the British princess.

In 1763, the British gained Florida under the provisions laid out in the Treaty of Paris, and the island was renamed Egmont Island. It became a haven for British loyalists during the Revolutionary War, and they stayed until Florida was returned to the Spanish in 1783. During much of the eighteenth century, the island remained under the second Spanish rule, with few inhabitants. In 1795, it was seized by marauders from the United States. The position of the island and its deep-water harbor were ideal for pirates, smugglers, and slave traders.

Eventually the Spanish regained control over the island, and in 1811, the town of Fernandina was named for King Ferdinand VII of Spain. During the War of 1812, the US armed forces took control of the island, but it was returned in 1813. Over the next few years, Amelia Island remained in contention. In 1821, Florida became part of the United States and gained statehood in 1845. During the Civil War, the island was on the side of the South, and its Fort Clinch became an important stronghold, eventually falling under the control of Federal troops.

Overview

Amelia Island is 13 miles long and 2 miles wide at the widest area, and it covers about 18 square miles. The island is surrounded by strategic waterways, which made it valuable to Indigenous Americans, European colonists, and pirates. On the eastern side of the island is the Atlantic Ocean. Saint Mary’s River is in the north, the St. Johns River is on the south, and the Amelia River is on the western side of the island. Two smaller islands lie directly to the south: Talbot Island and St. George. Amelia Island’s location off the coast of the mainland tempers the heat and humidity of Floridian summers, yet it also remains warm during the winter months.

The main town on the island is Fernandina Beach. It has a beach that is about seven square miles in size. Along the length of the island can be found other small towns and villages, such as American Beach, Franklintown, and Amelia City. In 1935, American Beach became a popular vacation town for Black Americans, who were prohibited from using other Southern beaches due to segregation laws.

The island can be accessed by ferry or by road. Highway 105 becomes Highway A1A when it crosses over onto St. George Island. Then, it crosses onto Talbot Island before it reaches the southern part of Amelia Island. Once the highway reaches Fort Clinch near Fernandina Beach, it turns west and crosses over the Amelia River back onto the mainland of Florida. Many residents and visitors use bicycles or small gas-powered vehicles called Island Hoppers to get around on the island.

Besides beaches, resorts, and quaint towns, the rest of the island is dedicated to state parks, wildlife refuges, and nature preserves. During colonial rule, it was used as land for plantations growing indigo, cotton, and other crops. Some of these plantations, along with historical forts, have been preserved as parks. In 1837, the Amelia Island lighthouse was built near Egans Creek. Although not open to the public, the lighthouse is a landmark that can be seen from nearly 20 miles out at sea.

Bibliography

Amelia Island, Florida, www.ameliaisland.com. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

“Explore Amelia Island’s Most Enticing Attractions.” The Getaway, 19 Apr. 2024, thegetaway.com/destinations/explore-amelia-islands-most-enticing-attractions/2. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

“History of Amelia Island.” Explore Amelia, www.exploreamelia.com/Amelia‗Island‗History.shtml. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Sherman, Skye. “Florida’s Amelia Island Has Pristine Beaches, Luxury Resorts, and a Small-Town Feel.” Travel + Leisure, 11 Nov. 2022, www.travelandleisure.com/amelia-island-florida-6825715. Accessed 26 Nov. 2022.

“The Complete Guide to Amelia Island History.” Wander Florida, 23 Nov. 2024, wanderflorida.net/amelia-island-history. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

“Why Visit Amelia Island: A Guide to Its Transportation, History & Activities.” Visit Florida, www.visitflorida.com/travel-ideas/articles/history-transportation-activities-amelia-island. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.