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FL |
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| County |
Nassau |
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| Population |
10,549 |
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| Location |
Island |
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Fernandina Beach Florida
Located in the very northeastern tip of Floriday, Fernandina Beach is the seat of Nassau county. It sits on Amelia Island, an Atlantic sea island on the Intracoastal Waterway near the mouth of the St. Marys River, only about 25 miles (40 km) northeast of the major Florida city of Jacksonville.
History of Fernandina Beach, Florida
The area was first settled by Timucua Indians. When the Europeans arrived, they attempted settlements in quick succession. The French were the first, in the 1500s; the Spanish built both a fort and a mission in the late 1600s, both destroyed in 1702 when the British took over Amelia Island. But the Spanish name of Fernandina stuck, even after the British overcame its Spanish settlers in 1763.
For the next century, the town of Fernandina Beach, and the whole of Amelia Island, underwent a colorful period as various forces struggled for its control. British loyalists settled there during the American Revolution, but left after Florida was ceded to Spain in 1783. Fernandina Beach became a free port in 1807, and was a hideout for smugglers, pirates, and slave traders. In 1817, a Scottish military adventurer attempting to take Florida back from Spain briefly took over, quickly followed by the pirate Luis Aury, who claimed it for Mexico. The United States quickly stepped in, holding it in "trust" for Spain before taking formal possession in 1821.
Economy of Fernandina Beach, Florida
TIn the late 1800s, Fernandina became a center for tourism and shipping. The city's economy is still primarily based on tourism; pulp and paper milling and shrimp fishing are also important.
Local Attractions
Fernandina Beach has a large historic district containing restored homes and historic landmarks. The Amelia Island Museum of History features aural exhibits explaining the history of the area. In May, Fernandina Beach holds the annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival.
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