Fernandina Beach in Nassau County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Nassau County Historic Courthouse

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 12, 2012

1. Nassau County Historic Courthouse Marker

Inscription. The 1891 Nassau County Courthouse is one of only a few remaining courthouses in Florida built in the late 19th century. An excellent example of the Italianate style, it features a square domed tower with cupola, brick corbelling, bracketed cornice, brick pilasters, arched windows, granite sills, and arcaded entrances with cast iron columns. Its architect, A.E. McClure, was from Jacksonville, but designed notable buildings throughout Florida, including the Lake City Agricultural College, forerunner of the University of Florida. The building's cornerstone was inscribed with the date 1891 and was scheduled to be laid on December 16 of that year, but the ceremony was delayed until April 12, 1892. Renovations to the courthouse include the 1926 addition of a vault for the recording office and a bell that was cast by Meneely & Co. of West Troy, New York. The bell served as part of the city's fire alarm until the mid-1930s. The clock was added to the bell tower in 1977. The courthouse is the tallest building in the Fernandina Beach Historic District and has served the county's judicial and governmental needs since its construction.

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Florida Heritage Site

Erected 2009 by The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-686.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is April 12, 1962.

Location. 30° 40.259′ N, 81° 27.684′ W. Marker is in Fernandina Beach, Florida, in Nassau County. It is on Centre Street near S 5th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fernandina Beach FL 32034, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Florida’s First Coast,

in Greater Jacksonville,

and on the Sea Islands.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

Nassau County Historic Courthouse Marker, looking east, Centre and S 5th Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 12, 2012

2. Nassau County Historic Courthouse Marker, looking east, Centre and S 5th Street

distance of this marker: The Lesesne House (a few steps from this marker); Post Office Lamp Posts (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Post Office–Customs House-Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Memorial United Methodist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Presbyterian Church (about 400 feet away); Florida House (about 600 feet away); David L. Yulee (about 700 feet away); Phelan-Verot House Built Prior to 1866 (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fernandina Beach.

Regarding Nassau County Historic Courthouse. as mentioned - National Register of Historic Places:
Fernandina Beach Historic District (added 1973 - - #73000593)
♦ Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
♦ Architect, builder, or engineer: Barber,George W., et al., Schuyler,Robert V.
♦ Architectural Style: Queen Anne, Italianate
♦ Area of Significance: Politics/Government, Transportation, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture, Commerce
♦ Period of Significance: 1875-1899, 1850-1874
♦ Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Domestic
♦

Nassau County Historic Courthouse Marker, looking west along Centre Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 12, 2012

3. Nassau County Historic Courthouse Marker, looking west along Centre Street

Current Function: Commerce/Trade, Domestic

Nassau County Historic Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 12, 2012

4. Nassau County Historic Courthouse

Nassau County Historic Courthouse Restoration Tablet image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Diane Murphy, February 1, 2019

5. Nassau County Historic Courthouse Restoration Tablet

Photographed by Diane Murphy, February 1, 2019

6. Nassau County Historic Courthouse Restoration Tablet

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,253 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 17, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 18, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5, 6. submitted on February 7, 2025, by Diane Murphy of Saint Cloud, Florida.