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Coordinates: 30°40′10″N 81°27′42″W / 30.66944°N 81.46167°W / 30.66944; -81.46167
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{{short description|City in Florida, United States}}
{{US City infobox|
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2017}}
city = Fernandina Beach |
{{Infobox settlement
state = Florida |
<!-- Basic info ---------------->
motto = |
|official_name = City of Fernandina Beach
nickname = |
|name = Fernandina Beach
flag = |
|other_name =
seal = |
|native_name = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
map = FLMap-doton-Fernandina-Beach.png |
|nickname = Isle of 8 Flags
map size = 200|
|settlement_type = [[City (Florida)|City]]
map cap = |
|motto =
founded = | incorporated= |
|image_skyline = FernandinaBeachMontage1.png
county = [[Nassau County, Florida|Nassau County]] |
|imagesize =
mayor = |
|image_caption = Images from top, left to right: Beach, statue of a pirate (the mascot of Fernandina Beach High School), [[Nassau County Courthouse (Florida)]], shrimp statue (representing the annual [[Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival|Shrimp Festival]]), [[United States Post Office, Custom House, and Courthouse (Fernandina, Florida, 1912)]], [[Fort Clinch]], Old School House, Fort Clinch Pier
area = 27.8 [[square kilometer|km²]] (10.7 [[square mile|mi²]]) |
|image_flag =
area water = 0 km² (0 mi²) |
|flag_size =
area percentage = 0%|
|image_seal = Seal of Fernandina Beach, Florida.png
census yr = 2000|
|seal_size =
city pop = 10,549|
|image_shield =
metro pop = |
|shield_size =
density = 379.9|
|image_blank_emblem =
time zone = Eastern|
|blank_emblem_type =
utc = 5|
|blank_emblem_size =
north_coord = 30.663433 |
|image_map = Nassau_County_Florida_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Fernandina_Beach_Highlighted.svg
west_coord = 81.451731|
|mapsize = 250x200px
web =www.fernandinabeachflorida.org|
|map_caption = Location in [[Nassau County, Florida|Nassau County]] and the state of [[Florida]]
|}}
|image_map1 =
'''Fernandina Beach''' is a city located in [[Nassau County, Florida|Nassau County]] in the state of [[Florida]] in the [[United States of America]] and on [[Amelia Island]]. The area was first inhabited by the [[Timucuan]] tribe.
|mapsize1 =
|map_caption1 =
|pushpin_map = USA
|pushpin_label_position =
|pushpin_map_caption = Location in the U.S.
|pushpin_mapsize = <!-- Location ------------------>
|subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign nations|Country]]
|subdivision_name = [[United States of America]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Florida]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Florida|County]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[Nassau County, Florida|Nassau]]
|subdivision_type3 =
|subdivision_name3 =
|subdivision_type4 =
|subdivision_name4 = <!-- Politics ----------------->
|government_footnotes =
|government_type = [[Council-manager government|Commissioner-Manager]]
|leader_title = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name = Bradley Bean
|leader_title1 = [[Vice Mayor]]
|leader_name1 = David Sturges
|leader_title2 = [[City Council|Commissioners]]
|leader_name2 = James Antun,<br>Darron Ayscue, and<br>Ronald "Chip" Ross
|leader_title3 = [[City Manager]]
|leader_name3 = Jeremiah Glisson
|leader_title4 = [[City Clerk]]
|leader_name4 = Caroline Best
|established_title =
|established_date =
|established_title2 = <!-- Incorporated (town) -->
|established_date2 =
|established_title3 = <!-- Incorporated (city) -->
|established_date3 = <!-- Area --------------------->
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_12.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 31, 2021}}</ref>
|area_total_km2 = 32.68
|area_land_km2 = 30.64
|area_water_km2 = 2.04
|area_total_sq_mi = 12.62
|area_land_sq_mi = 11.83
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.79
|area_water_percent =
|area_urban_km2 =
|area_urban_sq_mi =
|area_metro_km2 =
|area_metro_sq_mi =
|area_blank1_title =
|area_blank1_km2 =
|area_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- Population ----------------------->
|population_as_of = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
|population_footnotes =
|population_note =
|population_total = 13052
|population_density_km2 = 425.92
|population_density_sq_mi = 1103.11
|population_metro =
|population_density_metro_km2 =
|population_density_metro_sq_mi =
|population_urban =
|population_density_urban_km2 =
|population_density_urban_sq_mi =
|population_blank1_title =
|population_blank1 =
|population_density_blank1_km2 =
|population_density_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- General information --------------->
|timezone = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
|utc_offset = &minus;5
|timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
|utc_offset_DST = &minus;4
|coordinates = {{coord|30|40|10|N|81|27|42|W|region:US-FL|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes =
|elevation_m = 7.6
|elevation_ft = 25
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]s
|postal_code = 32034-32035
|area_code = [[Area codes 904 and 324|904, 324]]
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 12-22175<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info = 0294308<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
|website = [http://www.fbfl.us www.fbfl.us.]
|footnotes =
|pop_est_as_of =
|pop_est_footnotes =
|population_est =
}}


'''Fernandina Beach''' is a city in northeastern Florida and the [[county seat]] of [[Nassau County, Florida|Nassau County]], [[Florida]], United States. It is the northernmost city on Florida's Atlantic coast, situated on [[Amelia Island]], and is one of the municipalities comprising [[Greater Jacksonville]] (formally the [[Jacksonville, Florida]] [[Metropolitan statistical area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]]). The area was first inhabited by the [[Timucuan]] Indian people. Known as the "Isle of 8 Flags", Amelia Island has had the flags of the following nations flown over it: [[France]], [[Spain]], [[Great Britain]], Spain (again), the [[Republic of East Florida]] (1812), the [[Republic of the Floridas]] (1817), [[Mexico]], the [[Confederate States of America]], and the [[United States]].
As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 10,549. As of [[2004]], the population recorded by the [[U.S. Census Bureau]] is 11,241.<sup>[http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2004-04-12.xls]</sup> It is the [[county seat]] of [[Nassau County, Florida|Nassau County]].{{GR|6}}

The French, English, and Spanish all maintained a presence on Amelia Island at various times during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, but the Spanish established Fernandina. The town of Fernandina, which was about a mile from the present city, was named in honor of [[King Ferdinand VII]] of Spain by the governor of the Spanish province of [[East Florida#Spanish period: Florida Oriental|East Florida]], [[Enrique White]].<ref name="AmeliaIslandMuseum2020">{{Cite web|url=https://ameliaisland.pastperfectonline.com/archive/A4EBB91B-E226-44D4-8969-951045841759|title=Letter from Spanish Governor of Florida, Enrique White, to Commandant of Amelia Island, Justo Lopez, the army post and town will be called Fernandina and the rest of the island will still be called Amelia, as of Jan. 1, 1811. - Letter|website=ameliaisland.pastperfectonline.com|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref> Fernandina has the distinction of being the last Spanish city platted in the Western Hemisphere, in 1811.<ref name="MooreKurtz2001">{{cite book|author1=Roger Moore|author2=Ron Kurtz|title=Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wek0d8Wm3KcC|year=2001|publisher=Photographs Naturally|isbn=978-0-9710343-0-3|page=1871}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census 2020|2020 census]], the city population was 13,052, up from 11,487 at the 2010 census. It is the [[county seat|seat]] of Nassau County.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> It is also the largest incorporated city in the county, since [[Yulee, Florida|Yulee]] is an unincorporated town.

==History==
[[File:Florida - Fernandian - NARA - 23936609 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Fernandina Beach, December 1924]]
Prior to the arrival of Europeans on what is now Amelia Island, Native Americans occupied the site of the [[Original Town of Fernandina Historic Site|original town]] of Fernandina.<ref name="dep.state">{{cite web|title=Fernandina Plaza Historic State Park|url=http://www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/planning/parkplans/FernandinaPlazaStateHistoricSite.pdf|publisher=State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection Division of Recreation and Parks|access-date=April 30, 2013|page=11|date=March 10, 2004}}</ref> Native American bands associated with the Timucuan mound-building culture had settled on the island about 1000 CE, calling it Napoyca. They remained on the island until the early 18th century, when European settlement began.

===Old Town Fernandina===
{{main|Original Town of Fernandina Historic Site}}

On January 1, 1811, [[Enrique White]], governor of Spain's [[East Florida]] province, named the town of Fernandina, about a mile from the present city, in honor of [[King Ferdinand VII]]. On May 10 of that year,<ref name="Society1941">{{cite book|author= Louise Biles Hill|title=Florida Historical Quarterly|chapter-url=https://palmm.digital.flvc.org/islandora/object/ucf%3A22306|access-date=May 3, 2013|edition=3|volume=21|year=1941|publisher=Florida Historical Society|page=214|chapter=George J. F. Clarke, 1774-1836}}</ref> Fernandina became the last town platted under the [[Laws of the Indies]] in the Western hemisphere. The town was intended as a bulwark against U.S. territorial expansion. In the following years, it was captured and recaptured by a succession of renegades and privateers.

====Republic of East Florida====
At the beginning of the [[Florida Seminole Wars#Patriot War of East Florida (1812)|Patriot War]], with the approval of President [[James Madison]] and [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] Governor [[George Mathews (Georgia)|George Mathews]] on March 13, 1812,<ref>{{cite book|last=Cusick|first=James G.|title=The other war of 1812 : the Patriot War and the American invasion of Spanish East Florida|year=2007|publisher=University of Georgia Press|location=Athens, Georgia|isbn=978-0820329215|pages=32}}</ref> insurgents known as the "Patriots of Amelia Island" seized the island. After raising a Patriot flag, they replaced it with the [[Flag Acts (United States)#Flag Act of 1794|United States flag]]. American gunboats under the command of [[Commodore (United States)|Commodore]] Hugh Campbell maintained control of the island. On May 15, 1812, the British brig. [[HMS Sappho (1806)|''Sappho'']] fired on Gunboat no. 168, which had fired on the loyalist merchant vessel ''Fernando'' to prevent her leaving. Outgunned, the American gunboat withdrew, which enabled several vessels to escape from the port. President Madison eventually denounced the filibustering of George Mathews, however, on the grounds that Mathews had violated his instructions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibiblio.org/uncpress/chapters/may_manifest.html |title=Manifest Destiny's Underworld: Filibustering in Antebellum America, by Robert e. May. Chapter 1 |access-date=July 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209182541/http://www.ibiblio.org/uncpress/chapters/may_manifest.html |archive-date=February 9, 2009 }} Manifest Destiny's Underworld: Filibustering in Antebellum America. Robert E. May. Chapter 1</ref><!-- Bot generated title -->

====Mexico====
Spanish pressure forced the American evacuation from the island in 1813. Spanish forces erected [[Fort San Carlos]] on the island in 1816. However, A Scottish soldier and adventurer named [[Gregor MacGregor]] with 55 musketeers seized [[Fort San Carlos (Fernandina, Florida)|Fort San Carlos]] in 1817, claiming the island on behalf of "the brethren of Mexico, Buenos Ayres, New Grenada and Venezuela",<ref name="Another View of Gregor MacGregor">[http://www.amelianow.com/winter01-gregor.htm "Another View of Gregor MacGregor"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328174504/http://www.amelianow.com/winter01-gregor.htm |date=March 28, 2009 }} in ''[http://www.amelianow.com/ Amelia Now On Line]'', Winter 2001.</ref> and raised the Green Cross of Florida flag over the Spanish [[Fort San Carlos]].<ref name="Burnett2014">{{cite book|author=Gene M. Burnett|title=Florida's Past, Vol 2: People and Events That Shaped the State|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a5hxDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT120|date=1 October 2014|publisher=Pineapple Press|isbn=978-1-56164-759-0|page=120}}</ref>
MacGregor claimed to be Brigadier General of the armies of the United Provinces of New Grenada and Venezuela (where he had successfully fought and led troops), and General-in-Chief of the armies for the two Floridas, commissioned by the Supreme Director of Mexico.<ref name="Another View of Gregor MacGregor"/>

Spanish soldiers forced MacGregor's withdrawal, but their attempt to regain complete control was foiled by American irregulars organized by Ruggles Hubbard and former Pennsylvania congressman [[Jared Irwin (Pennsylvania politician)|Jared Irwin]]. Hubbard and Irwin later joined forces with the French-born pirate [[Louis Aury]], who laid claim to the island on behalf of the Republic of Mexico. U.S. Navy forces drove Aury from the island, and President [[James Monroe]] vowed to hold Amelia Island "in trust for Spain."

===Modern Fernandina===
In 1847 construction of [[Fort Clinch]] began in nearby present-day Fernandina. The Third System fort was named after General [[Duncan Lamont Clinch]] who fought in the [[War of 1812]] and the [[Seminole Wars]]. Senator [[David Levy Yulee]], founder of the [[Florida Railroad]], wanted the eastern terminus of his railroad line to end in [[Amelia Island]]. The Old Town Fernandina was too cut off by the marshes to be used as a terminal. Yulee wanted to end the railroad on the banks of the Amelia River one mile to the south. The leaders of Fernandina did not want a new community to grow and prosper to surpass their town. The leaders of Fernandina decided to move the town up to the railroad where the present-day Fernandina Beach stands. Yulee began construction of the railroad in 1855 and was completed in 1861.<ref name="Seaport built for a Railroad">{{cite web|title=Seaport built for a Railroad|url=http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fernandina.html|website=exploresouthernhistory.com|access-date=6 May 2018}}</ref>

====Civil War====
[[File:Fort Clinch, Florida, U.S. - Cannons.jpg|thumb|right|190px|Inside [[Fort Clinch]]]]
On January 8, 1861, two days before Florida's secession, Confederate sympathizers (the Third Regiment of Florida Volunteers) took control of [[Fort Clinch]], already abandoned by the Federal workers who had been enlarging the structure. The Confederates erected [[Artillery battery|batteries]] on the northern end of Amelia Island but lacked the resources to fortify Fort Clinch. [[Robert E. Lee]], who was commanding coastal defenses in the Deep South, ordered cannons and troops withdrawn in early 1862.

Lee's orders to withdraw the cannons and troops were too late. Union forces, consisting of 28 gunboats commanded by Commodore [[Samuel Dupont]], occupied the island on March 3, 1862, and raised the American flag. In January 1863, the first all-black regiment of former slaves recruited to fight for the Union was read Lincoln's [[Emancipation Proclamation]] at Fernandina.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}} Three weeks later they set sail up the St. Marys River to engage the Confederate forces. The Union used the fort as a base for its operations in the area for the remainder of the war.<ref name="Seaport built for a Railroad"/>

====Later 19th century====
In 1891, [[Harmon Murray]], who had been the leader of a criminal gang operating out of [[Gainesville, Florida|Gainesville]], arrived in Fernandina, where his sister lived. Murray was soon committing burglaries and robberies in Fernandina and elsewhere on Amelia Island. Law officers chased a black suspect several times, who shot at them on one occasion. Murray taunted the police with a letter in early May, to the effect that he would not be taken alive, and would take the Nassau County sheriff and Fernandina police chief with him. Acting on a tip, on May 16 police surrounded the house Murray was staying in. Murray heard the officers getting into position, and shot and killed deputy sheriff Joseph W. Robinson. In the ensuing gun battle Murray wounded Fernandina Police Chief James Higgenbotham. Although grazed on the wrist and scalp, Murray was able to escape. Despite the intensive manhunt for him, Murray was able to slip off of Amelia Island to the mainland. The City of Fernandina offered a reward for the capture of Murray, "dead or alive".<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Killing of Harmon Murray|last=Braley|first=R. Olin|publisher=The Alachua Press|year=2004|location=Gainesville, Florida|pages=69–71}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title=Harmon Murray: Black Desperado in Late Nineteenth-Century Florida|last=Chandler|first=Billy Jaynes|journal=The Florida Historical Quarterly|volume=73|issue=2|date=October 1994|language=en|page=190|jstor = 30148759}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nassauso.com/memorialsfallen-deputies/|title=Memorials/Fallen Deputies - Deputy Joseph W. Robinson|website=Nassau County Sheriff's Office|access-date=November 7, 2018|archive-date=January 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102095010/http://nassauso.com/memorialsfallen-deputies/|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Geography==
==Geography==
Fernandina Beach is located at {{coord|30.4010|-81.2742|type:city_region:US-FL|format=dms|display=inline}},<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> approximately 25 miles (40&nbsp;km) northeast of downtown [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]].
Fernandina Beach is located at {{coor dms|30|39|48|N|81|27|6|W}} (30.663433, -81.451731).{{GR|1}}


According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 27.8 [[square meter|km²]] (10.7 [[square mile|mi²]]). 27.8 km² (10.7 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|15.7|sqmi|km2}}, all land. It is the northernmost city on the eastern coast of Florida.

===Climate===

Fernandina Beach has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|''Cfa'']]) with long, hot, and rainy summers and short, mild winters.
{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = Fernandina Beach, Florida, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1892&ndash;present
|single line = Y

|Jan record high F = 89
|Feb record high F = 91
|Mar record high F = 95
|Apr record high F = 94
|May record high F = 101
|Jun record high F = 104
|Jul record high F = 103
|Aug record high F = 102
|Sep record high F = 102
|Oct record high F = 96
|Nov record high F = 93
|Dec record high F = 85

|Jan avg record high F = 77.6
|Feb avg record high F = 79.8
|Mar avg record high F = 83.6
|Apr avg record high F = 87.7
|May avg record high F = 91.9
|Jun avg record high F = 94.7
|Jul avg record high F = 96.0
|Aug avg record high F = 95.4
|Sep avg record high F = 91.8
|Oct avg record high F = 87.3
|Nov avg record high F = 82.7
|Dec avg record high F = 79.2
|year avg record high F = 97.1

| Jan high F = 63.3
| Feb high F = 66.6
| Mar high F = 72.2
| Apr high F = 77.4
| May high F = 83.9
| Jun high F = 88.3
| Jul high F = 90.7
| Aug high F = 89.5
| Sep high F = 86.0
| Oct high F = 80.1
| Nov high F = 72.4
| Dec high F = 66.3
|year high F = 78.1
|Jan mean F = 54.9
|Feb mean F = 57.6
|Mar mean F = 63.2
|Apr mean F = 68.6
|May mean F = 75.8
|Jun mean F = 80.7
|Jul mean F = 82.8
|Aug mean F = 82.2
|Sep mean F = 79.6
|Oct mean F = 72.7
|Nov mean F = 64.3
|Dec mean F = 57.8
|year mean F = 70.0
| Jan low F = 45.4
| Feb low F = 48.6
| Mar low F = 54.1
| Apr low F = 59.8
| May low F = 67.7
| Jun low F = 73.1
| Jul low F = 74.9
| Aug low F = 74.9
| Sep low F = 73.2
| Oct low F = 65.3
| Nov low F = 56.1
| Dec low F = 49.4
|year low F = 61.9

|Jan avg record low F = 30.1
|Feb avg record low F = 32.9
|Mar avg record low F = 37.7
|Apr avg record low F = 45.9
|May avg record low F = 56.2
|Jun avg record low F = 66.1
|Jul avg record low F = 69.4
|Aug avg record low F = 70.1
|Sep avg record low F = 64.8
|Oct avg record low F = 49.0
|Nov avg record low F = 38.8
|Dec avg record low F = 34.4
|year avg record low F = 28.3

|Jan record low F = 4
|Feb record low F = 17
|Mar record low F = 22
|Apr record low F = 35
|May record low F = 40
|Jun record low F = 47
|Jul record low F = 53
|Aug record low F = 61
|Sep record low F = 49
|Oct record low F = 33
|Nov record low F = 24
|Dec record low F = 12

|precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 3.20
| Feb precipitation inch = 3.13
| Mar precipitation inch = 3.27
| Apr precipitation inch = 3.03
| May precipitation inch = 2.68
| Jun precipitation inch = 6.12
| Jul precipitation inch = 4.96
| Aug precipitation inch = 6.39
| Sep precipitation inch = 7.19
| Oct precipitation inch = 4.97
| Nov precipitation inch = 1.87
| Dec precipitation inch = 3.12
|year precipitation inch = 49.93
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 9.3
| Feb precipitation days = 8.5
| Mar precipitation days = 8.4
| Apr precipitation days = 6.8
| May precipitation days = 6.7
| Jun precipitation days = 12.6
| Jul precipitation days = 12.6
| Aug precipitation days = 12.9
| Sep precipitation days = 12.7
| Oct precipitation days = 7.6
| Nov precipitation days = 7.1
| Dec precipitation days = 8.9
| year precipitation days = 114.1
|Jan snow inch =
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|source 1 = NOAA<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=jax
| title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| accessdate = June 25, 2021
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00082944&format=pdf
| title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| accessdate = June 25, 2021
}}</ref> }}

== Economy ==
In 2020, the total value of products produced in Fernandina Beach, Florida was $87.9 million.<ref>[https://oec.world/en/profile/subnational_usa_port/fernandina-beach-fl Economy of Fernandina Beach]</ref>


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
{{US Census population
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 10,549 people, 4,525 households, and 2,941 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 379.9/km² (984.4/mi²). There were 5,588 housing units at an average density of 201.3/km² (521.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.54% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 16.19% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.27% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.59% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.06% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.51% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 0.83% from two or more races. 2.33% of the population were [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.
|1860= 1390
|1870= 1722
|1880= 2562
|1890= 2803
|1900= 3245
|1910= 3482
|1920= 3147
|1930= 3023
|1940= 3492
|1950= 4420
|1960= 7276
|1970= 6955
|1980= 7224
|1990= 8765
|2000= 10549
|2010= 11487
|2020= 13052
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}


{| class="wikitable"
There were 4,525 households out of which 23.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.78.
|+'''Fernandina Beach racial composition'''<br> (Hispanics excluded from racial categories)<br> (''NH = Non-Hispanic'')<br>
!Race
!Pop 2010<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Fernandina Beach city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Fernandina+Beach+city;+Florida+&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Fernandina Beach city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Fernandina+Beach+city;+Florida+&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2010
!% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|9,216
|10,633
|80.23%
|81.47%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|1,320
|1,001
|11.49%
|7.67%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|38
|17
|0.33%
|0.13%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|131
|114
|1.14%
|0.87%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]] (NH)
|9
|21
|0.08%
|0.16%
|-
|[[Other races (U.S. Census)|Some other race]] (NH)
|16
|38
|0.14%
|0.29%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races/Multiracial]] (NH)
|147
|407
|1.28%
|3.12%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|610
|821
|5.31%
|6.29%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''11,487'''
|'''13,052'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|-
|}


As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 13,052 people, 5,869 households, and 3,544 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Fernandina Beach city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Fernandina+Beach+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1101|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
In the city the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 28.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.


Of the population in 2020, 4.0% were under 5 years old, 10.8% were under 18 years old, and 33.5% were 65 years or older. 49.8% of the population were female. There were a reported 1,576 veterans living in the city. 8.8% of the population were foreign born persons. 9.4% of those under the age of 65 years old lived with a disability and 15.1% of that same population did not have health insurance. There were 2.12 persons per household.<ref name=QfFb>{{cite web |title=QuickFacts Fernandina Beach city, Florida |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fernandinabeachcityflorida |website=census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=27 December 2022}}</ref>
The median income for a household in the city was $40,893, and the median income for a family was $54,806. Males had a median income of $36,179 versus $26,356 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $24,517. 10.2% of the population and 6.4% of families were below the [[poverty line]]. 13.1% of those under the age of 18 and 8.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

In 2020, 81.0% of the housing units were owner-occupied. The median value of those owner-occupied housing units was $356,600. The median gross rent was $1,041. The median household income was $80,260 with a per capita income of $50,051. 10.2% of the population lived below the [[Poverty thresholds (United States Census Bureau)|poverty threshold]].<ref name=QfFb/>

In 2020, 97.9% of households had a computer and 96.5% had a broadband internet subscription. 95.5% of the population 25 years and older were high school graduates or higher and 45.5% of that same population had a bachelor's degree or higher.<ref name=QfFb/>

As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 11,487 people, 4,789 households, and 3017 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Fernandina Beach city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Fernandina+Beach+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2010.S1101|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

===Ethnicity===
As of 2016, the largest self-reported ancestries/ethnicities in Fernandina Beach, Florida (excluding Hispanic/Latino groups) were:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/16_5YR/DP02/1600000US1222175 |title=American FactFinder - Results |access-date=July 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213112821/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/16_5YR/DP02/1600000US1222175 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
! Largest ancestries (2016) !! Percent
|-
| [[English Americans|English]] {{flagicon|England}} || 14.7%
|-
| [[American ancestry|American]] {{flagicon|US}} || 14.5%
|-
| [[German Americans|German]] {{flagicon|Germany}} || 12.6%
|-
| [[Irish Americans|Irish]] {{flagicon|Ireland}} || 10.2%
|-
| [[Italian American|Italian]] {{flagicon|Italy}} || 5.2%
|-
| [[French American|French]] {{flagicon|France}} || 3.3%
|-
| [[Polish American|Polish]] {{flagicon|Poland}} || 3.0%
|-
| [[Scottish American|Scottish]] {{flagicon|Scotland}} || 2.1%
|-
| [[Scots-Irish American|Scots-Irish (Ulster/Northern Ireland)]] {{flagicon|Ulster}} || 2.1%
|-
| [[Dutch American|Dutch]] {{flagicon|Netherlands}} || 1.4%
|-
| [[Welsh American|Welsh]] {{flagicon|Wales}} || 1.3%
|-
| [[Norwegian American|Norwegian]] {{flagicon|Norway}} || 1.2%
|-
| [[Russian American|Russian]] {{flagicon|Russia}} || 0.6%
|-
| [[French Canadian American|French Canadian]] {{flagicon|Canada}}/{{flagicon|Quebec}} || 0.5%
|-
| [[Swedish American|Swedish]] {{flagicon|Sweden}} || 0.5%
|-
| [[Hungarian American|Hungarian]] {{flagicon|Hungary}} || 0.5%
|}

==Government and infrastructure==
Nassau County Fire Rescue operates Station 20 on the south end of Amelia Island,<ref>"[http://www.nassaucountyfl.com/DocumentCenter/View/9800 Station 20]." Nassau County. Retrieved on February 14, 2017. "Station 20 South end of Amelia Island 5518 First Coast Highway Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034"</ref> as well as Station 70 Oneil.<ref>"[http://www.nassaucountyfl.com/DocumentCenter/View/12965 Station 70]." Nassau County. Retrieved on February 14, 2017. "Station 70 Oneil 96031 Pine Grove Road Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034"</ref>

The [[Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport]] is a general aviation airfield approximately three miles south of the city that serves [[Amelia Island]].

==Education==

[[File:Fernandina Beach High School.jpg|thumb|[[Fernandina Beach High School]]]]
The public schools of Fernandina Beach are part of the [[Nassau County School District]]. They include:
* Southside Elementary School (Pre-K–2)
* Emma Love Hardee Elementary School (3–5)
* Fernandina Beach Middle School (6–8)
* [[Fernandina Beach High School]] (9–12)[[File:Fernandina Beach Christian Academy.jpg|thumb|Fernandina Beach Christian Academy]]

Private schools:
* Amelia Island Montessori School (Preschool–8)
* Fernandina Beach Christian Academy (K–8)
* St. Michael's Academy (Pre-K–8)

Note: ''Atlantic Elementary'' (2nd and 3rd grades) was closed at the end of the 2008 school year. After the closing, 2nd grade was moved to ''Southside'' and 3rd grade to ''Emma Love''. Also, the private Catholic school, ''St. Michael's Academy'', is in downtown Fernandina Beach. All three Fernandina Beach public schools are "A" rated by the State of Florida. The nickname of [[Fernandina Beach High School]]'s athletic teams is the "Pirates".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nassau.k12.fl.us/Domain/11|title=Fernandina Beach High School / Homepage|website=www.nassau.k12.fl.us|language=en|access-date=2017-12-29}}</ref> Amelia Island Montessori School is near American Beach and is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools and is an associate member school with the American Montessori Society.

==Library==

Nassau County Public Library operates the Fernandina Beach Branch which is located at 25 N. 4th Street. This is the main branch in the library system with a variety of services. The library also is a passport acceptance facility. This location underwent major renovations beginning in 2014 through early 2015, but is still currently located in the historic downtown area. <ref>"[http://nassaureads.com/locations/fernandinabeach/ Fernandina Beach Branch Library]." Nassau County Public Library. Retrieved on February 10, 2017. "Location Fernandina Library Branch 25 N. 4th St. Fernandina Beach, FL 32034"</ref>

==Notable people==

* [[William B. Allen]], political scientist who was chairman of the [[United States Commission on Civil Rights]] from 1988 to 1989, was born in Fernandina Beach in 1944
* [[Liberty Billings]], [[Reconstruction era]] politician
* [[Raymond A. Brown]], attorney whose clients included [[Black Liberation Army]] member [[Assata Shakur]], boxer [[Rubin Carter|Rubin "Hurricane" Carter]] and "Dr. X" physician [[Mario Jascalevich]]<ref>Berger, Joseph. [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/12/nyregion/12brown.html "Raymond A. Brown, Civil Rights Lawyer, Dies at 94"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', October 11, 2009. Accessed October 12, 2009.</ref>
* [[George Rainsford Fairbanks]], a Confederate Major in the U.S. Civil War, he was also a historian, lawyer and Florida State Senator. The [[Fairbanks House (Fernandina Beach, Florida)|Fairbanks House]] is listed on the NRHP and is operated as a bed and breakfast lodging establishment
* [[Joseph Finegan]], businessman, [[Brigadier general]] for the [[Confederate States Army]]; resident of Fernandina Beach
* [[Anna Madgigine Jai Kingsley]], wife of slave trader and planter [[Zephaniah Kingsley]], lived in Fernandina (at the time it was not yet Fernandina Beach) during all of 1814 and part of 1815.<ref name=Schafer2018>{{cite book
|last=Schafer
|first=Daniel L.
|date=2018
|isbn=978-0813056531
|page=64
|location=[[Gainesville, Florida]]
|others=Revised and expanded edition.
|title=Anna Madgigine Jai Kingsley: African Princess, Florida Slave, Plantation Slaveowner
|publisher=[[University Press of Florida]]}}</ref>
* [[Samuel Petty]], politician
* [[Rick Stockstill]], football head coach at [[Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football|Middle Tennessee]]; raised in Fernandina Beach
* [[David Levy Yulee]], Florida Territorial representative to Congress and the first U.S. Senator from Florida when it became a state, member of the Confederate Congress, builder of Florida's first cross-state railroad (Fernandina to Cedar Key), and the first person of Jewish ancestry to serve as a United States Senator. There is a statue of Yulee in the town<ref name="forwardfeldmanwhyaretherenostatues">{{cite news|last1=Feldman|first1=Ari|title=Why Are There No Statues Of Jewish Confederate Judah Benjamin To Tear Down?|url=http://forward.com/news/380453/why-are-there-no-statues-of-jewish-confederate-judah-benjamin-to-tear-down/|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=Forward|date=August 20, 2017|quote=There is only one known statue of a Jewish Confederate leader. It depicts David Levy Yulee, an industrialist, plantation owner and Confederate senator from Florida, and it shows him sitting on a bench.}}</ref>

==Attractions==
The 1988 fantasy film ''[[The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking]]'' was filmed in Fernandina Beach and at soundstages in Jacksonville.<ref name="Goss2000">{{cite book|author=James P. Goss|title=Pop Culture Florida|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OVEk7QcEEKEC&pg=PA103|year=2000|publisher=Pineapple Press Inc|isbn=978-1-56164-199-4|page=103}}</ref> The house that stood in for Villa Villekulla, Pippi's home, is known locally as Captain Bell's House and is on Estrada Street in the Old Town area directly across from the Fernandina Plaza (parade ground for the Spanish fort) and overlooking the Amelia River.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ameliaislandliving.com/fernandinabeach/2015/11/along-the-river-old-town-fernandina-plaza/ |title=Along the River, Old Town & Fernandina Plaza &#124; Amelia Island eMagazine |access-date=2015-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123220734/http://ameliaislandliving.com/fernandinabeach/2015/11/along-the-river-old-town-fernandina-plaza/ |archive-date=November 23, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

The [[Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival]] occurs annually over the first weekend in May. Events and activities of the festival include vendors with seafood, arts, crafts, collectibles and antiques, live music, the Miss Shrimp Festival pageant, a fireworks display and a parade.<ref name="Shrimp Fest 2012">{{cite web|title=Shrimp festival kicks off in Fernandina Beach|url=http://www.news4jax.com/news/Shrimp-festival-kicks-off-in-Fernandina-Beach/-/475880/12558990/-/1qe2sv/-/index.html|publisher=[[WJXT|News4Jax]]|access-date=April 18, 2013|date=May 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509070500/http://www.news4jax.com/news/Shrimp-festival-kicks-off-in-Fernandina-Beach/-/475880/12558990/-/1qe2sv/-/index.html|archive-date=May 9, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Historic places==
* [[Original Town of Fernandina Historic Site]]
* [[Fairbanks House (Fernandina Beach, Florida)|Fairbanks House]]
* [[Nassau County Courthouse (Florida)|Historic Nassau County Courthouse]]
* [[United States Post Office, Custom House, and Courthouse (Fernandina, Florida, 1912)]]
* [[Fort Clinch State Park]]
* See [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Nassau County, Florida]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.fernandinabeachflorida.org/ City of Fernandina Beach]
* [http://www.fernandinabeachflorida.org/ City of Fernandina Beach]
{{Geolinks-US-cityscale|30.663433|-81.451731}}
* [http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00028319 ''Fernandina Beach News-Leader''], full text with full page images, freely available in the [http://ufdc.ufl.edu/fdnl1 Florida Digital Newspaper Library]
*[http://www.floridatreecare.com/ Florida Tree Services]
* [http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00079913 ''Fernandina Express''], 1880s historic newspaper freely available with full text and full page images in the [http://ufdc.ufl.edu/fdnl1 ''Florida Digital Newspaper Library'']
*http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch/default.cfm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051003221142/http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch/default.cfm |date=October 3, 2005 }}, the State's official web site for Fort Clinch


[[Category:Cities in Florida]]
{{Nassau County, Florida}}
{{Jacksonville Metro}}
[[Category:Nassau County, Florida]]
{{Florida}}
{{North Florida}}
{{Florida county seats}}


{{authority control}}
[[es:Fernandina Beach (Florida)]]

[[io:Fernandina Beach, Florida]]
[[Category:Fernandina Beach, Florida| ]]
[[Category:County seats in Florida]]
[[Category:Cities in Nassau County, Florida]]
[[Category:Cities in the Jacksonville metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Cities in Florida]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Florida on the Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:1811 establishments in the Spanish Empire]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1811]]
[[Category:Amelia Island]]

Latest revision as of 18:39, 4 October 2024

Fernandina Beach
City
City of Fernandina Beach
Images from top, left to right: Beach, statue of a pirate (the mascot of Fernandina Beach High School), Nassau County Courthouse (Florida), shrimp statue (representing the annual Shrimp Festival), United States Post Office, Custom House, and Courthouse (Fernandina, Florida, 1912), Fort Clinch, Old School House, Fort Clinch Pier
Images from top, left to right: Beach, statue of a pirate (the mascot of Fernandina Beach High School), Nassau County Courthouse (Florida), shrimp statue (representing the annual Shrimp Festival), United States Post Office, Custom House, and Courthouse (Fernandina, Florida, 1912), Fort Clinch, Old School House, Fort Clinch Pier
Official seal of Fernandina Beach
Seal
Nickname: 
Isle of 8 Flags
Location in Nassau County and the state of Florida
Location in Nassau County and the state of Florida
Fernandina Beach is located in the United States
Fernandina Beach
Fernandina Beach
Location in the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°40′10″N 81°27′42″W / 30.66944°N 81.46167°W / 30.66944; -81.46167
CountryUnited States of America
StateFlorida
CountyNassau
Government
 • TypeCommissioner-Manager
 • MayorBradley Bean
 • Vice MayorDavid Sturges
 • CommissionersJames Antun,
Darron Ayscue, and
Ronald "Chip" Ross
 • City ManagerJeremiah Glisson
 • City ClerkCaroline Best
Area
[1]
 • Total
12.62 sq mi (32.68 km2)
 • Land11.83 sq mi (30.64 km2)
 • Water0.79 sq mi (2.04 km2)
Elevation
25 ft (7.6 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
13,052
 • Density1,103.11/sq mi (425.92/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
32034-32035
Area code(s)904, 324
FIPS code12-22175[2]
GNIS feature ID0294308[3]
Websitewww.fbfl.us.

Fernandina Beach is a city in northeastern Florida and the county seat of Nassau County, Florida, United States. It is the northernmost city on Florida's Atlantic coast, situated on Amelia Island, and is one of the municipalities comprising Greater Jacksonville (formally the Jacksonville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area). The area was first inhabited by the Timucuan Indian people. Known as the "Isle of 8 Flags", Amelia Island has had the flags of the following nations flown over it: France, Spain, Great Britain, Spain (again), the Republic of East Florida (1812), the Republic of the Floridas (1817), Mexico, the Confederate States of America, and the United States.

The French, English, and Spanish all maintained a presence on Amelia Island at various times during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, but the Spanish established Fernandina. The town of Fernandina, which was about a mile from the present city, was named in honor of King Ferdinand VII of Spain by the governor of the Spanish province of East Florida, Enrique White.[4] Fernandina has the distinction of being the last Spanish city platted in the Western Hemisphere, in 1811.[5]

According to the 2020 census, the city population was 13,052, up from 11,487 at the 2010 census. It is the seat of Nassau County.[6] It is also the largest incorporated city in the county, since Yulee is an unincorporated town.

History

[edit]
Fernandina Beach, December 1924

Prior to the arrival of Europeans on what is now Amelia Island, Native Americans occupied the site of the original town of Fernandina.[7] Native American bands associated with the Timucuan mound-building culture had settled on the island about 1000 CE, calling it Napoyca. They remained on the island until the early 18th century, when European settlement began.

Old Town Fernandina

[edit]
Main article: Original Town of Fernandina Historic Site

On January 1, 1811, Enrique White, governor of Spain's East Florida province, named the town of Fernandina, about a mile from the present city, in honor of King Ferdinand VII. On May 10 of that year,[8] Fernandina became the last town platted under the Laws of the Indies in the Western hemisphere. The town was intended as a bulwark against U.S. territorial expansion. In the following years, it was captured and recaptured by a succession of renegades and privateers.

Republic of East Florida

[edit]

At the beginning of the Patriot War, with the approval of President James Madison and Georgia Governor George Mathews on March 13, 1812,[9] insurgents known as the "Patriots of Amelia Island" seized the island. After raising a Patriot flag, they replaced it with the United States flag. American gunboats under the command of Commodore Hugh Campbell maintained control of the island. On May 15, 1812, the British brig. Sappho fired on Gunboat no. 168, which had fired on the loyalist merchant vessel Fernando to prevent her leaving. Outgunned, the American gunboat withdrew, which enabled several vessels to escape from the port. President Madison eventually denounced the filibustering of George Mathews, however, on the grounds that Mathews had violated his instructions.[10]

Mexico

[edit]

Spanish pressure forced the American evacuation from the island in 1813. Spanish forces erected Fort San Carlos on the island in 1816. However, A Scottish soldier and adventurer named Gregor MacGregor with 55 musketeers seized Fort San Carlos in 1817, claiming the island on behalf of "the brethren of Mexico, Buenos Ayres, New Grenada and Venezuela",[11] and raised the Green Cross of Florida flag over the Spanish Fort San Carlos.[12] MacGregor claimed to be Brigadier General of the armies of the United Provinces of New Grenada and Venezuela (where he had successfully fought and led troops), and General-in-Chief of the armies for the two Floridas, commissioned by the Supreme Director of Mexico.[11]

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

Modern Fernandina

[edit]

In 1847 construction of Fort Clinch began in nearby present-day Fernandina. The Third System fort was named after General Duncan Lamont Clinch who fought in the War of 1812 and the Seminole Wars. Senator David Levy Yulee, founder of the Florida Railroad, wanted the eastern terminus of his railroad line to end in Amelia Island. The Old Town Fernandina was too cut off by the marshes to be used as a terminal. Yulee wanted to end the railroad on the banks of the Amelia River one mile to the south. The leaders of Fernandina did not want a new community to grow and prosper to surpass their town. The leaders of Fernandina decided to move the town up to the railroad where the present-day Fernandina Beach stands. Yulee began construction of the railroad in 1855 and was completed in 1861.[13]

Civil War

[edit]
Inside Fort Clinch

On January 8, 1861, two days before Florida's secession, Confederate sympathizers (the Third Regiment of Florida Volunteers) took control of Fort Clinch, already abandoned by the Federal workers who had been enlarging the structure. The Confederates erected batteries on the northern end of Amelia Island but lacked the resources to fortify Fort Clinch. Robert E. Lee, who was commanding coastal defenses in the Deep South, ordered cannons and troops withdrawn in early 1862.

Lee's orders to withdraw the cannons and troops were too late. Union forces, consisting of 28 gunboats commanded by Commodore Samuel Dupont, occupied the island on March 3, 1862, and raised the American flag. In January 1863, the first all-black regiment of former slaves recruited to fight for the Union was read Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation at Fernandina.[citation needed] Three weeks later they set sail up the St. Marys River to engage the Confederate forces. The Union used the fort as a base for its operations in the area for the remainder of the war.[13]

Later 19th century

[edit]

In 1891, Harmon Murray, who had been the leader of a criminal gang operating out of Gainesville, arrived in Fernandina, where his sister lived. Murray was soon committing burglaries and robberies in Fernandina and elsewhere on Amelia Island. Law officers chased a black suspect several times, who shot at them on one occasion. Murray taunted the police with a letter in early May, to the effect that he would not be taken alive, and would take the Nassau County sheriff and Fernandina police chief with him. Acting on a tip, on May 16 police surrounded the house Murray was staying in. Murray heard the officers getting into position, and shot and killed deputy sheriff Joseph W. Robinson. In the ensuing gun battle Murray wounded Fernandina Police Chief James Higgenbotham. Although grazed on the wrist and scalp, Murray was able to escape. Despite the intensive manhunt for him, Murray was able to slip off of Amelia Island to the mainland. The City of Fernandina offered a reward for the capture of Murray, "dead or alive".[14][15] [16]

Geography

[edit]

Fernandina Beach is located at 30°24′04″N 81°16′27″W / 30.4010°N 81.2742°W / 30.4010; -81.2742,[17] approximately 25 miles (40 km) northeast of downtown Jacksonville.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.7 square miles (41 km2), all land. It is the northernmost city on the eastern coast of Florida.

Climate

[edit]

Fernandina Beach has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) with long, hot, and rainy summers and short, mild winters.

Climate data for Fernandina Beach, Florida, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1892–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 89
(32) 		91
(33) 		95
(35) 		94
(34) 		101
(38) 		104
(40) 		103
(39) 		102
(39) 		102
(39) 		96
(36) 		93
(34) 		85
(29) 		104
(40)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 77.6
(25.3) 		79.8
(26.6) 		83.6
(28.7) 		87.7
(30.9) 		91.9
(33.3) 		94.7
(34.8) 		96.0
(35.6) 		95.4
(35.2) 		91.8
(33.2) 		87.3
(30.7) 		82.7
(28.2) 		79.2
(26.2) 		97.1
(36.2)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 63.3
(17.4) 		66.6
(19.2) 		72.2
(22.3) 		77.4
(25.2) 		83.9
(28.8) 		88.3
(31.3) 		90.7
(32.6) 		89.5
(31.9) 		86.0
(30.0) 		80.1
(26.7) 		72.4
(22.4) 		66.3
(19.1) 		78.1
(25.6)
Daily mean °F (°C) 54.9
(12.7) 		57.6
(14.2) 		63.2
(17.3) 		68.6
(20.3) 		75.8
(24.3) 		80.7
(27.1) 		82.8
(28.2) 		82.2
(27.9) 		79.6
(26.4) 		72.7
(22.6) 		64.3
(17.9) 		57.8
(14.3) 		70.0
(21.1)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 45.4
(7.4) 		48.6
(9.2) 		54.1
(12.3) 		59.8
(15.4) 		67.7
(19.8) 		73.1
(22.8) 		74.9
(23.8) 		74.9
(23.8) 		73.2
(22.9) 		65.3
(18.5) 		56.1
(13.4) 		49.4
(9.7) 		61.9
(16.6)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 30.1
(−1.1) 		32.9
(0.5) 		37.7
(3.2) 		45.9
(7.7) 		56.2
(13.4) 		66.1
(18.9) 		69.4
(20.8) 		70.1
(21.2) 		64.8
(18.2) 		49.0
(9.4) 		38.8
(3.8) 		34.4
(1.3) 		28.3
(−2.1)
Record low °F (°C) 4
(−16) 		17
(−8) 		22
(−6) 		35
(2) 		40
(4) 		47
(8) 		53
(12) 		61
(16) 		49
(9) 		33
(1) 		24
(−4) 		12
(−11) 		4
(−16)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.20
(81) 		3.13
(80) 		3.27
(83) 		3.03
(77) 		2.68
(68) 		6.12
(155) 		4.96
(126) 		6.39
(162) 		7.19
(183) 		4.97
(126) 		1.87
(47) 		3.12
(79) 		49.93
(1,268)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 9.3 8.5 8.4 6.8 6.7 12.6 12.6 12.9 12.7 7.6 7.1 8.9 114.1
Source: NOAA[18][19]

Economy

[edit]

In 2020, the total value of products produced in Fernandina Beach, Florida was $87.9 million.[20]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18601,390—
18701,72223.9%
18802,56248.8%
18902,8039.4%
19003,24515.8%
19103,4827.3%
19203,147−9.6%
19303,023−3.9%
19403,49215.5%
19504,42026.6%
19607,27664.6%
19706,955−4.4%
19807,2243.9%
19908,76521.3%
200010,54920.4%
201011,4878.9%
202013,05213.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[21]
Fernandina Beach racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race Pop 2010[22] Pop 2020[23] % 2010 % 2020
White (NH) 9,216 10,633 80.23% 81.47%
Black or African American (NH) 1,320 1,001 11.49% 7.67%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 38 17 0.33% 0.13%
Asian (NH) 131 114 1.14% 0.87%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) 9 21 0.08% 0.16%
Some other race (NH) 16 38 0.14% 0.29%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) 147 407 1.28% 3.12%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 610 821 5.31% 6.29%
Total 11,487 13,052 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 13,052 people, 5,869 households, and 3,544 families residing in the city.[24]

Of the population in 2020, 4.0% were under 5 years old, 10.8% were under 18 years old, and 33.5% were 65 years or older. 49.8% of the population were female. There were a reported 1,576 veterans living in the city. 8.8% of the population were foreign born persons. 9.4% of those under the age of 65 years old lived with a disability and 15.1% of that same population did not have health insurance. There were 2.12 persons per household.[25]

In 2020, 81.0% of the housing units were owner-occupied. The median value of those owner-occupied housing units was $356,600. The median gross rent was $1,041. The median household income was $80,260 with a per capita income of $50,051. 10.2% of the population lived below the poverty threshold.[25]

In 2020, 97.9% of households had a computer and 96.5% had a broadband internet subscription. 95.5% of the population 25 years and older were high school graduates or higher and 45.5% of that same population had a bachelor's degree or higher.[25]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 11,487 people, 4,789 households, and 3017 families residing in the city.[26]

Ethnicity

[edit]

As of 2016, the largest self-reported ancestries/ethnicities in Fernandina Beach, Florida (excluding Hispanic/Latino groups) were:[27]

Largest ancestries (2016) Percent
English England 14.7%
American United States 14.5%
German Germany 12.6%
Irish Republic of Ireland 10.2%
Italian Italy 5.2%
French France 3.3%
Polish Poland 3.0%
Scottish Scotland 2.1%
Scots-Irish (Ulster/Northern Ireland) Ulster 2.1%
Dutch Netherlands 1.4%
Welsh Wales 1.3%
Norwegian Norway 1.2%
Russian Russia 0.6%
French Canadian Canada/Quebec 0.5%
Swedish Sweden 0.5%
Hungarian Hungary 0.5%

Government and infrastructure

[edit]

Nassau County Fire Rescue operates Station 20 on the south end of Amelia Island,[28] as well as Station 70 Oneil.[29]

The Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport is a general aviation airfield approximately three miles south of the city that serves Amelia Island.

Education

[edit]
Fernandina Beach High School

The public schools of Fernandina Beach are part of the Nassau County School District. They include:

  • Southside Elementary School (Pre-K–2)
  • Emma Love Hardee Elementary School (3–5)
  • Fernandina Beach Middle School (6–8)
  • Fernandina Beach High School (9–12)
    Fernandina Beach Christian Academy

Private schools:

  • Amelia Island Montessori School (Preschool–8)
  • Fernandina Beach Christian Academy (K–8)
  • St. Michael's Academy (Pre-K–8)

Note: Atlantic Elementary (2nd and 3rd grades) was closed at the end of the 2008 school year. After the closing, 2nd grade was moved to Southside and 3rd grade to Emma Love. Also, the private Catholic school, St. Michael's Academy, is in downtown Fernandina Beach. All three Fernandina Beach public schools are "A" rated by the State of Florida. The nickname of Fernandina Beach High School's athletic teams is the "Pirates".[30] Amelia Island Montessori School is near American Beach and is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools and is an associate member school with the American Montessori Society.

Library

[edit]

Nassau County Public Library operates the Fernandina Beach Branch which is located at 25 N. 4th Street. This is the main branch in the library system with a variety of services. The library also is a passport acceptance facility. This location underwent major renovations beginning in 2014 through early 2015, but is still currently located in the historic downtown area. [31]

Notable people

[edit]

Attractions

[edit]

The 1988 fantasy film The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking was filmed in Fernandina Beach and at soundstages in Jacksonville.[35] The house that stood in for Villa Villekulla, Pippi's home, is known locally as Captain Bell's House and is on Estrada Street in the Old Town area directly across from the Fernandina Plaza (parade ground for the Spanish fort) and overlooking the Amelia River.[36]

The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival occurs annually over the first weekend in May. Events and activities of the festival include vendors with seafood, arts, crafts, collectibles and antiques, live music, the Miss Shrimp Festival pageant, a fireworks display and a parade.[37]

Historic places

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  2. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ "Letter from Spanish Governor of Florida, Enrique White, to Commandant of Amelia Island, Justo Lopez, the army post and town will be called Fernandina and the rest of the island will still be called Amelia, as of Jan. 1, 1811. - Letter". ameliaisland.pastperfectonline.com. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  5. ^ Roger Moore; Ron Kurtz (2001). Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach. Photographs Naturally. p. 1871. ISBN 978-0-9710343-0-3.
  6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  7. ^ "Fernandina Plaza Historic State Park" (PDF). State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection Division of Recreation and Parks. March 10, 2004. p. 11. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
  8. ^ Louise Biles Hill (1941). "George J. F. Clarke, 1774-1836". Florida Historical Quarterly. Vol. 21 (3 ed.). Florida Historical Society. p. 214. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  9. ^ Cusick, James G. (2007). The other war of 1812 : the Patriot War and the American invasion of Spanish East Florida. Athens, Georgia: University of Georgia Press. p. 32. ISBN 978-0820329215.
  10. ^ "Manifest Destiny's Underworld: Filibustering in Antebellum America, by Robert e. May. Chapter 1". Archived from the original on February 9, 2009. Retrieved July 23, 2008. Manifest Destiny's Underworld: Filibustering in Antebellum America. Robert E. May. Chapter 1
  11. ^ a b "Another View of Gregor MacGregor" Archived March 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine in Amelia Now On Line, Winter 2001.
  12. ^ Gene M. Burnett (October 1, 2014). Florida's Past, Vol 2: People and Events That Shaped the State. Pineapple Press. p. 120. ISBN 978-1-56164-759-0.
  13. ^ a b "Seaport built for a Railroad". exploresouthernhistory.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  14. ^ Braley, R. Olin (2004). The Killing of Harmon Murray. Gainesville, Florida: The Alachua Press. pp. 69–71.
  15. ^ Chandler, Billy Jaynes (October 1994). "Harmon Murray: Black Desperado in Late Nineteenth-Century Florida". The Florida Historical Quarterly. 73 (2): 190. JSTOR 30148759.
  16. ^ "Memorials/Fallen Deputies - Deputy Joseph W. Robinson". Nassau County Sheriff's Office. Archived from the original on January 2, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  17. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  18. ^ "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  19. ^ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  20. ^ Economy of Fernandina Beach
  21. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  22. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Fernandina Beach city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  23. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Fernandina Beach city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  24. ^ "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Fernandina Beach city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  25. ^ a b c "QuickFacts Fernandina Beach city, Florida". census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  26. ^ "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Fernandina Beach city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  27. ^ "American FactFinder - Results". Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  28. ^ "Station 20." Nassau County. Retrieved on February 14, 2017. "Station 20 South end of Amelia Island 5518 First Coast Highway Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034"
  29. ^ "Station 70." Nassau County. Retrieved on February 14, 2017. "Station 70 Oneil 96031 Pine Grove Road Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034"
  30. ^ "Fernandina Beach High School / Homepage". www.nassau.k12.fl.us. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  31. ^ "Fernandina Beach Branch Library." Nassau County Public Library. Retrieved on February 10, 2017. "Location Fernandina Library Branch 25 N. 4th St. Fernandina Beach, FL 32034"
  32. ^ Berger, Joseph. "Raymond A. Brown, Civil Rights Lawyer, Dies at 94", The New York Times, October 11, 2009. Accessed October 12, 2009.
  33. ^ Schafer, Daniel L. (2018). Anna Madgigine Jai Kingsley: African Princess, Florida Slave, Plantation Slaveowner. Revised and expanded edition. Gainesville, Florida: University Press of Florida. p. 64. ISBN 978-0813056531.
  34. ^ Feldman, Ari (August 20, 2017). "Why Are There No Statues Of Jewish Confederate Judah Benjamin To Tear Down?". Forward. Retrieved September 6, 2017. There is only one known statue of a Jewish Confederate leader. It depicts David Levy Yulee, an industrialist, plantation owner and Confederate senator from Florida, and it shows him sitting on a bench.
  35. ^ James P. Goss (2000). Pop Culture Florida. Pineapple Press Inc. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-56164-199-4.
  36. ^ "Along the River, Old Town & Fernandina Plaza | Amelia Island eMagazine". Archived from the original on November 23, 2015. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  37. ^ "Shrimp festival kicks off in Fernandina Beach". News4Jax. May 3, 2012. Archived from the original on May 9, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
[edit]
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