Surroundings, Jacksonville

American Beach was the first beach in Florida set aside for the enjoyment of African Americans. It was established in 1935 by A.L. Lewis, who founded Jacksonville's Afro-American Life Insurance Company and went on to become one of the nation's first African American millionaires. Incredibly popular during the days of segregation, American Beach quickly grew into a 200-acre resort area, frequented by thousands of black vacationers in the 1940s and 1950s. It was one of the few recreational spots they could call their own.

Visitors to Kingsley Plantation will see the main house, the kitchen building, the gardens, the barn and the slave quarters. Zephaniah Kingsley owned and operated this cotton, citrus, sugar cane and corn plantation from 1814 to 1839. He left to establish a colony in Haiti after living conditions deteriorated for his workers and his black wife.

Fort Clinch was begun in 1847 but never finished. It was occupied by Federal forces in 1862, and helped to introduce northerners to the south. This caused a tourism boom after the Civil War. Fort Clinch is a well-preserved fort that was garrisoned during both the Civil and Spanish-American wars. Fishing, swimming, and beachcombing are popular activities on the nearby beach.

Located in Nassau County's former jailhouse, tours of the main floor of the Amelia Island Museum of History give insight into the history of the island. The second floor tells the story through photographs and artifacts.