Fernandina Beach in Nassau County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Ervin’s Rest
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
1. Ervin’s Rest Marker
Louis Dargan (L.D.) Ervin was born in Darlington, South Carolina, in 1873. He attended the Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth of Savannah, the oldest institution of higher education for African Americans in Georgia. Ervin eventually settled in Jacksonville, Florida, where he worked as a skilled mason and a licensed contractor. In 1901, Ervin was one of the first full-time agent for the Afro-American Life Insurance Company. Ervin stayed with the company for 63 years and retired as its vice-president. In 1935, Afro-American Life Insurance president Abraham Lincoln Lewis helped to establish American Beach as a vacation community for African American due to racial segregation. In 1938, Ervin constructed this two-story beach cottage, the second home built on American Beach. Fondly referred to Ervin’s rest. It was the vacation home for Ervin and his family. Ervin’s Rest is still owned by his family, and is the only ocean-front home on American Beach that maintains its original structure. Ervin’s Rest was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. L.D. Ervin’s legacy in the American Beach community was preserved with a street named in his honor.
Erected 2017 by The American Beach Property Owners Association, Inc., Friends of American Beach, Inc., and the Florida
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.
Location. 30° 34.502′ N, 81° 26.656′ W. Marker is in Fernandina Beach, Florida, in Nassau County. Marker is at the intersection of Gregg Street and Julia Street, on the right when traveling north on Gregg Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5448 Gregg St, Fernandina Beach FL 32034, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Home on American Beach (within shouting distance of this marker); The Stewart House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Guzman House (about 400 feet away); Historic American Beach (about 600 feet away); Evans' Rendezvous (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Evans’ Rendezvous (about 600 feet away); A Dune System Called "NaNa" (about 700 feet away); American Beach at the Crossroads (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fernandina Beach.
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
2. Ervin’s Rest Marker
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
3. Ervin’s Rest as it appears today
Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 479 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 20, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
