The Beaches in Atlantic Beach in Duval County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Continental Hotel Site
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, August 10, 2019
1. The Continental Hotel Site Marker
In the late 19th century, Henry Flagler created the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) and the Florida East Coast Hotel Company, both of significantly boosted development and tourism for Florida. By 1900, Flagler had purchased the local Jacksonville and Atlantic Railway. The line was expanded to create the Mayport Branch of the FEC. It was along this branch that Flagler opened up a luxury oceanfront hotel in 1901, the Continental Hotel of Atlantic Beach. Though it was considered one of the smaller and less ornate of Flagler’s line of winter resorts, the Continental boasted several attractions, including two of the area’s first golf courses and “automobiling” on the oceanfront. Previously, Atlantic Beach was one of the most remote areas of the Jacksonville Beaches. The arrival of the FEC and the Continental sparked development in the community of Atlantic Beach while creating a new tourism destination for Florida. The hotel was sold in 1913 to the Atlantic Beach Corporation, and was renamed the Atlantic Beach Hotel. The original hotel burned down in 1919, and a second was built on this site in the mid-1920s. Both hotels were a vital
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Erected 2017 by the Beaches Area Historical Society, the Cloister Condominium Association, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-953.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Florida East Coast Railroad and Hotels series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.
Location. 30° 20.117′ N, 81° 23.795′ W. Marker is in Atlantic Beach, Florida, in Duval County. It is in The Beaches. Marker is at the intersection of 10th Street and Beach Street, on the right when traveling east on 10th Street. Marker located at the entrance to the Cloister Condominium. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 10th Street, Jacksonville FL 32223, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Combat Team Camp Atlantic Beach (approx. 0.4 miles away); Girl Scouts Beaches Little House (approx. 1.4 miles away); Historic Manhattan Beach, Florida (approx. 2.2 miles away); Pablo Beach Post Office (approx. 3.2 miles away); Porter Wood Burning Locomotive (approx. 3.2 miles away); Oesterreicher-McCormick Homestead
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, August 10, 2019
2. The Continental Hotel Site Marker
Photo courtesy Beaches Museum and History Park
3. The Continental Hotel circa 1903
Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 318 times since then and 106 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 13, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
