NaNa, the tallest dune in Florida, is a protected landmark due largely to the efforts of MaVynne Betsch (January 14, 1935-September 5, 2005), widely known as the "Beach Lady." Betsch, who once performed opera in London, Paris and Germany, returned . . . — — Map (db m59606) HM
On Ocean Blvd near Lewis Street, on the right when traveling south.
During the period of racial segregation, African Americans were barred from most
of the beaches in Florida. American Beach was founded in 1935 to provide African
Americans with beach access in a resort atmosphere. Nana, as the sand dune . . . — — Map (db m58907) HM
Burney Park at American Beach was named for Isadore Horace Burney II, a native of Athens, Georgia. After graduating from Atlanta University in the mid-1930s, Burney began his life-long career as an agent in Athens for the Afro-American Life . . . — — Map (db m219573) HM
On Gregg Street just south of Lewis Street, on the left when traveling south.
Evans' Rendezvous was renowned as a heartbeat of American Beach. Willie Brantley Evans was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina, on August 5, 1915. As a young man in the 1930s, he worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps for two years before . . . — — Map (db m205284) HM
On Lewis Street near 1st Coastal Highway (State Road A1A), on the right when traveling west.
The Franklintown community was first populated by ex-slaves from the Samuel Harrison plantation. Franklintown Chapel's congregation was organized in 1880 by Trinity M.E. Church, located in the City of Fernandina at the north end of Amelia Island. . . . — — Map (db m58542) HM
On Lewis Street at Waldron Street, on the right when traveling east on Lewis Street.
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 . . . — — Map (db m58868) HM
On Ervin Street, on the right when traveling north.
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 . . . — — Map (db m60434) HM
On Waldron Stret at Julia Street, on the left when traveling north on Waldron Stret.
Side 1
The Guzman house is a one-story masonry frame Vernacular style home. It has an irregular plan protected by a side facing gable roof with a front gable extension. The exterior walls are covered with wood shake shingles. The fenestration . . . — — Map (db m219579) HM
On Waldron Street at Julia Street, on the left when traveling north on Waldron Street.
The Stewarts' vacation cottage at 5449 Waldron St. was built in 1941 by Ralph and Marie Taylor Stewart. Waldron Street is one of the highest points on American Beach and was named after the Reverend J. Milton Waldron, one of the founders of what was . . . — — Map (db m227630) HM
