Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
December 14, 2015 9:00 p.m.
The Fernandina Observer has received such positive response to our previous post on old Fernandina waterfront photos that we are providing more to help our readers understand how the Amelia River front has evolved. Your comments are solicited and welcomed by all our readers.
The photo below shows the city marina in the 1970’s. Note the “teepee” that served as the Marine Welcome Center for Florida, the original Centre Street before the 1978 streetscaping, and the absence of Brett’s Waterway Café building.
This photo, from the Florida State Archives, presents the teepee from landside. Note that our Peripatetic Pirate Pete in the 1970’s seemed more comfortable near the water as opposed to the current location at the railroad tracks.
The series of aerial photos below shows the change in the waterfront area currently occupied by the Port of Fernandina. What could appear to be a beach seems to represent land cleared for the construction of the Port.
The final photo, also an old postcard dated 1928, shows warehouses from the shrimping industry.
If you can comment on any of these old photos, please do so. If you have more to share–please let us know: [email protected].
Thanks for the memories from long before I moved here. Nice to go back in time.
Regarding the first post card – Nice little waterfront park before they “improved” it by knocking down the palm trees and building a parking lot. I can’t see enough detail, but is that a driveway or a “sidewalk to nowhere” next to the Marina Restaurant?
I love seeing pictures of Fernandina. I was raised in Ft Lauderdale in the 50’s and I relate to so many of Fernandina’s ‘good ole days’ pics!
John, That IS a sidewalk!! All of the arguing and there it is! Were we even told by the owner of the Marina Restaurant that there was a door and I believe a walk up window when it was a KFC! It’s ashame so much time and money spent on this when the pictures are proof. Wish these were found years ago when this all started. All I know is that it is great to see everyone walking and rolling safely on the “Sidewalk to Salty”!!
In reference to marina restaurant photo. The window on west side was and is same window where circular seating is. Not a drive in window. KFC was on east side of building. The restaurant was on west side of building. Door on west side entered area used for office/storage. No sidewalk beyond bldg. area behind the restaurant and building behind it was dirt.
Very nice, relaxing.