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

Historic American Beach

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 12, 2012

1. Historic American Beach Marker

Inscription. American Beach was established in 1935 under the leadership of Abraham Lincoln Lewis, one of seven co-founders of the Afro-American Life Insurance Company, and one of Florida’s first black millionaires. His vision was to create a beach resort as a benefit for company executives and as an incentive for employees to exceed in sales. Florida’s beaches were racially segregated until the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Because of this, American Beach became regionally popular since it was one of the few beaches in the Southeast open to African Americans. Other sites in American Beach trace their history to the Civil War era. Amelia Island was home to several Sea Island cotton plantations, including the Harrison Plantation. In 1862 Union Forces captured Amelia Island and the freed slaves founded Franklin Town at the south end of this island. The Franklin Town cemetery, which had been given by the Harrison family to their slaves as a burial place for their families, still exists today on the west side of Highway A1A. In 1972, encroaching development forced Franklin Town residents to move north to American Beach. Their Methodist

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Church, built in 1949, was also moved here where it now serves as the church’s fellowship hall.

A Florida Heritage Landmark

Erected 1972 by The American Beach Property Owners Association and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F417.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.

Location. 30° 34.423′ N, 81° 26.71′ W. Marker is in American Beach, Florida, in Nassau County. It is at the intersection of Lewis Street and Waldron Street, on the right when traveling east on Lewis Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1840 Lewis Street, Fernandina Beach FL 32034, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in 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

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 12, 2012

2. Historic American Beach Marker

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 distance of this marker: A Dune System Called "NaNa" (within shouting distance of this marker); American Beach at the Crossroads (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Evans’ Rendezvous (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Evans' Rendezvous (about 300 feet away); First Home on American Beach (about 400 feet away); The Guzman House (about 400 feet away); The Stewart House (about 500 feet away); Ervin’s Rest (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in American Beach.

Regarding Historic American Beach. The Afro-American Life Insurance Company was a historic business based in Jacksonville, Florida. It was founded in 1901 by Abraham Lincoln Lewis and his business associates.
Up until the creation of this insurance company, black Americans found it difficult to purchase life insurance, which was unaffordable to most blacks at the time. The insurance company also served as a financial institution

Historic American Beach Marker along Lewis Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 12, 2012

3. Historic American Beach Marker along Lewis Street

as well. The company is responsible for the creation of American Beach in Nassau County, Florida.

Also see . . . National Park Service-Visiting American Beach. American Beach is located on the south end of Amelia Island (Submitted on August 28, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

American Beach was established in 1935 under the leadership of Abraham Lincoln Lewis image. Click for full size.

Underground News Network UNN The American Beach Observer

4. American Beach was established in 1935 under the leadership of Abraham Lincoln Lewis

Photographed by National Park Service

5. Historic American Beach Marker

Historic American Beach image. Click for full size.

Photographed by National Park Service, `

6. Historic American Beach

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,386 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 29, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 28, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.