Today, we will be looking at Nassau County's rich history and culture which dates back to 1562 with the arrival of Europeans along the east coast of Florida. The area had been previously inhabited by the Timucuan Indians however the arrival of settlers brought disease that eliminated the early tribes so very little history of Nassau prior to this event is known. Nassau County is said to be the only county in the U.S. that has been occupied by the French, Spanish, British and Americans. In 1821, Florida was ceded to the United States and Nassau County become part of Duval County until it broke away in 1824 and became its own county.
With 15 listings on the National Register for Historic Places, Nassau County is sure to be a favorite for history buffs of all ages. Notable sites on the National Register of Historic Places include, but are not limited to: Historic American Beach; Old Town; the Fernandina Beach Historic District; Fort Clinch; and the Lighthouse on Amelia Island. To view all sites, click here to be redirected to the National Register of Historic Places.
Other historic sites in Nassau County that are not currently included on the State Registry include Nana Dune at Historic American Beach; the Evergreen Community; Kings Ferry; the Historic Courthouse in Fernandina Beach; the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor; Pine Forest Community High School in Callahan; the Peck Center in Fernandina Beach; the Historic Railroad Depots in Fernandina and Callahan; and many historic cemeteries.... just to name a few!
Notable people from Nassau County include:
- David Levy Yulee: United States Senator and founder of the Florida Railroad. He also built the first cross-state railroad which stretched from Fernandina Beach to Cedar Key
- George Crady: member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1977-1982
- William B. Allen: Chairman of the United States Commission on Civil Rights from 1988-1989
- Derrick Henry: 2015 Heisman Trophy Winner who played for the University of Alabama and currently the Tennessee Titans
- Frank Murphy, Jr.: NFL Player for the Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, and Miami Dolphins
- Howie Kendrick: MLB Player who played for the Washington Nationals in 2020 when they won the World Series Championship
- Rick Stockstill: head football coach at Middle Tennessee University
- DJ Stewart: MLB Player who currently plays for the New York Mets
- Ken "Bubba" Dickerson, Professional Golfer
- George Rainsford Fairbanks, Confederate Major for the U.S. Civil War, as well as historian, lawyer, and Florida State Senator. His home in Fernandina, The Fairbanks House, it listed on the National Register of Historic Place.
We encourage you to visit one of our local museums such as the Amelia Island Museum of History; the West Nassau Museum of History; or the A.L. Lewis Museum at American Beach for an in-depth look at Nassau County's history. Librarians at your neighborhood library branch are also available to assist you in historic research, if desired.
-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer