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

Martha's Hideaway

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 12, 2012

1. Martha's Hideaway Marker

Inscription. American Beach, founded in 1935, was a renowned beach for Blacks during the segregation era when African Americans could not go to public beaches. In the early development of American Beach, a few private homes were built, including one hidden deep in the woods at the end of Ervin Street. The Colonial Revival house, built for local African-American business owner and community activist Martha Hippard, is an unusual example of high style architecture in the beach resort community. Detached from the main house is a separate party house that some say was a gambling house. Others say it was used to host dances, club parties, and other civic and social activities. Both houses are constructed of hand-made concrete blocks from truckloads of crushed coquina shells hauled from American Beach and hand-molded bricks manufactured on the premises. The 1938 structures were built on nearly an acre of land, larger than any other parcel in the area. In January 1961, Elmo and Annette Myers of Fernandina purchased the house from its second owner, educator Lottie O. Harris of St. Marys, Georgia. Martha’s Hideaway, also called Hippard’s Hideaway,

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was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 12, 2001.

A Florida Heritage Site

Erected 2008 by Nassau County and The Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-626.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1961.

Location. 30° 34.563′ N, 81° 26.808′ W. Marker is in American Beach, Florida, in Nassau County. It is on Ervin Street, on the right when traveling north. Located 300 feet north of Julia Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5406 Ervin 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 once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum

Martha's Hideaway and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 12, 2012

2. Martha's Hideaway and Marker

South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Stewart House (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Guzman House (about 600 feet away); Ervin’s Rest (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Home on American Beach (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic American Beach (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Dune System Called "NaNa" (approx. ¼ mile away); American Beach at the Crossroads (approx. ¼ mile away); Evans' Rendezvous (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in American Beach.

Regarding Martha's Hideaway. National Register of Historic Places:
Martha’s Hideaway Hippard House (added 2001 - - #01001087)
5406 Ervin St. , American Beach
♦ Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
♦ Architect, builder, or engineer: Johnson, Frank Wayne Sr.
♦ Architectural Style: Colonial Revival
♦ Area of Significance: Black, Architecture
♦ Period of Significance: 1950-1974, 1925-1949
♦ Owner: Private
♦ Historic Function: Domestic
♦ Current Function: Domestic

Martha's Hideaway Marker, along Ervin Street, looking south image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 12, 2012

3. Martha's Hideaway Marker, along Ervin Street, looking south

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,588 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 21, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.