Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger
June 2, 2015 7:24 a.m.
“A delightful photograph, probably taken in 1909, depicts the joy of a trolley ride to “Amelia Beach,” . . . The picture shows three open air trolley cars in tandem, loaded with happy school children most likely headed for a fine outing on the beach. The Golden Age was in decline when the photograph was taken, but clearly, the picture shows the pleasure of the trolley ride whatever the date.” The Golden Age of Amelia Island, Suzanne Davis Hardee, Kathleen Hardee Arsenault.
Then:
Trolleys are an important part of Fernandina’s history. For years, trolleys headed to “Main Beach, formerly known as “Amelia Beach,” departing from the Centre Street waterfront carrying northern visitors and locals to capture some Florida sun.
On June 18, 1881, the Fernandina Express noted, “The regular busline to the beach leaving the city at 6 o’clock in the evening seems well patronized, the vehicle is generally well filled.” That busline was actually a horse drawn beach trolley that moved over rails.
In 1885, improved rail beds and cross ties allowed, passenger coaches from the Florida Railway and Navigation Company to be used. The horse drawn trolley was replaced with a “smoke consuming” locomotive that “[prevented] all danger from flying sparks to the dwelling houses along the route.” All citizens were offered a “complimentary trip” that was “well patronized.” (Florida Mirror, 1885)
The trolley schedule printed in the Florida Mirror shows an early 6:30 a.m. departure followed by 9:00 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 2:55 p.m., 4:35 p.m., 7:10 p.m., and the last departure at 10:30 p.m. Later in the summer, it was reported over 1000 passengers rode the trolley when an “excursion and ball” was held at the Amelia Beach Pavilion.
Around 1900, the trolley became an electric trolley with wires strung overhead to deliver power.
The trolley became such an important part of city life that when the trolley business declined, the City of Fernandina Beach took over trolley ownership. In 1915, it was announced the trolley was up and running and marketing began for the city owned “Amelia Beach.” “Everyone is coming, Join the throngs!”
The city’s ownership of the trolly was short lived. In 1918, according to the late Helen Gordon Litrico, city commission minutes recorded “the Street Railroad and Beach Committee was empowered to dispose of all rail and equipment, trolley wire and bonds at best price offered.”
Now:
Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. the Amelia Island Trolley took off for its opening day first run. The weather was far from perfect due to an early morning rain storm, but it was a fun ride. Driver Peggy Watson was a delight! She patiently answered questions delivered by reporters, rang the trolley bell, and demonstrated the wheelchair lift.
Amelia Island Trolleys will operate seven days a week from 9 until 9 leaving from the foot of Centre Street heading east to the beach, south on Fletcher Avenue, west on Sadler Road, and then north on 8th Street.
The trolley loop takes approximately 45 minutes, but times may vary depending upon the number of stops. One thing to note, the trolley does not leave on the hour every hour. Watson said the next trolley was to leave at 11:00 a.m, followed by a 12:00 p.m. Contact Amelia Trolleys for exact times.
On the exterior, the Amelia Island Trolley resembles trolleys of the past. But the comforts of air conditioning, a chair lift, and step lowering capabilities for those challenged by high steps, provide for modern day comfort.
According to City Manager Joe Gerrity, the Fernandina Beach City Commission approved $10,000 to fund the summer pilot program. Signs posted at designated stops are funded by the Tourism and Development Council.
Tickets are $3 and all day tickets are $10. The designated stops are listed below.
1. Front Street & Centre Street-
2. Centre Street & 7th Street-
3. Atlantic Ave (Bench) – Central Park
4. Atlantic Ave & 14th Street-
5. Atlantic Ave (Bench)- Egans Creek
6. Atlantic Ave- Rec. Center
7. Atlantic Ave & Fletcher Road (drop off just past Putt-Putt)
8. Fletcher Road & New York
9. Fletcher Road & Jasmine Street
10. Fletcher Road & Sadler Road
11. Sadler Road/ Amelia Trace
12. Residence Inn/Hampton Inn
13. Sadler Road & Citrona Drive
14. Sadler Road /Publix
15. Sadler Road & 8th St.(bench)
16. 8th Street (Winn Dixie shopping area)
17. 8th Street & Beech
18. 3rd Street & Ash Street
For previous article on trolley service, click here.
Editor’s Note: Historical information contained in this article was obtained from the “The Golden Age of Amelia Island” written by my beloved mother Suzanne Davis Hardee and updated and edited after my mother’s death by her daughter Kathleen Hardee Arsenault. For those interested, the book is available at Books Plus on South 8th Street.