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Nassau County, Florida is located in the northeast corner of Florida along the Atlantic Ocean and Interstate 95 and is the Eastern Gateway to the Sunshine State. Visit Nassau County Florida for county-wide information. A brief synopsis and backdrop for each of the communities that make up our county is offered below:
AMELIA ISLAND... "THE ISLAND" Originally inhabited by Timucuan Indians, the island was discovered by French Explorer, Jean Ribault in 1562...and sometime later James Oglethorpe, an English explorer, named the island, Amelia, in honor of Princess Amelia, daughter of England's King George II.
It would appear that everyone who set foot on this small island was determined to lay claim ... Amelia has been under the rule of eight different flags during its long and colorful history ... France; Spain; Britain; Patriots; Green Cross of Florida; Mexico; Confederate; and finally, the United States of America.
A museum, a 150-year old lighthouse, and a Civil War fort and state park are fun places to visit on the island and give much insight into our rich history.
In addition to the pristine beaches, golf, tennis, nature trails, and charter-boat fishing, you will find several first-class resorts sitting amongst the moss draped oaks and along the beach, such as Amelia Plantation...Summer Beach...The Ritz Carlton.
Annual events include the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival which attracts thousands of visitors from around the world, the Amelia Island Jazz Festival, The Chamber Music Festival, the Concours d'Elegance and the Bausch & Lomb Tennis Charmpionships.
The island has a population of 20,000+ full-time residents. Approximately 11,000 residents live within the city limits of Fernandina Beach, the island's primary municipality, and some 10,000 live on the island outside the city limits. We also have visitors from all over the country (and beyond) who are seasonal visitors and visit at intervals throughout the year. Many of these folks return to visit on an annual basis...some visit more often...and some visitors just decide to never leave.
The island's beauty and charm is surpassed only by our residents' agreeable nature, 'laid-back' lifestyle and true southern hospitality. Visitors and new residents alike are alway struck by the community's genuine friendliness .
The summers are long and warm; the winters short and mild ... annual average temperature of 69.9 degrees and annual average rainfall of 51 inches.
FERNANDINA BEACH...ON AMELIA ISLAND The primary municipality on Amelia Island is the City of Fernandina Beach, which is home to more than 11,000 residents and encompasses seven square miles in the north-central portion of the island's eighteen square mile land mass.
This quaint historic seaport maintains a 50-block historic district with a mix of residential and commercial late-Victorian architecture reflecting the area's prosperity in the late 1880's and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
A treasure trove awaits you along Centre Street, the heart of downtown, and its delightful nooks n' crannies filled with art galleries, quaint cafes, fine-dining restaurants, and shops all the way down to the Amelia River harbor. It is pedestrian friendly for a leisurely stroll ... or you can "catch a ride" on Polly The Trolley or in one of the horse drawn buggies clippity-clopping around town and learn more about the area's rich history and hear some of the "tall tales" that have been handed down for years.
Shrimping was the backbone of this town in past years and an active shrimping industry still thrives today.
CALLAHAN... A JACKSONVILLE BEDROOM COMMUNITY...ON THE MAINLAND Located at the crossroads of US1 and 301.
The town's land area is approximately 1.3 square miles and has an elevation of 21 feet above sea level. The population of the "town" is approximately 1000 ... with a total population of approximately 3000 including those folks who live in the community on the outskirts of the city limits.
Callahan was found in 1854 and named for Daniel Callahan, who helped build the railroad ... and incorporated in 1911. It's main industries today include agriculture, timber and mulch manufacturing.
HILLIARD...ANOTHER JACKSONVILLE COMMUNITY...ON THE MAINLAND Just off the beaten path of County Road 108 is the second-most populated municipality in Nassau County, Hilliard, with a population of approximately 3000. The land area consists of approximately 5.5 square miles at an elevation of 69 feet.
Hilliard is home to a Federal Aviation Administration facility that is the town's largest employer. It also has one of the last remaining public grass airstrips in Florida and serves many pilots, both local and distant.
The town was founded in 1881 and named for Confederate Army Officer Cuyler Walter Hilliard and incorporated in 1947.
YULEE...ON THE MAINLAND Nassau County's largest unincorporated area encompassing 128 square miles and having a population of approximately 9,000, is located in the central portion of the County and consists primarily of residential neighborhoods along with commercial development along legendary Route A1A.
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.
Residential choices are numerous and range from planned communities, waterfront and small/large private tracts to an emerging rental market. This is the fastest growing residential area in Nassau County.
BRYCEVILLE...ON THE MAINLAND Bryceville is a small community located at the crossroads of US 301 and SR 200 in the southwest section of Nassau County. In 1886, the previously unincorporated community sprung up after George W. Bryce, a Confederate soldier, wounded and discharged from the army, bought 80 acres of land and began harvesting its timber. When this operation became successful, he opened a general store ... which went on to include a post office ... Bryce was appointed postmaster ... Bryceville was born.
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