The Story of NaNa and the People Who Have Saved Her

In 1935, the Afro-American Life Insurance Co., Florida’s first life insurance company, built American Beach on the south end of Amelia Island. A.L. Lewis, founder of the Afro-American Life Insurance Co. purchased 200 acres of oceanfront property for development. He envisioned a place where family and employees could enjoy “recreation without humiliation” by the seashore. Included within that land purchase was a 60-foot sand dune.

Over the years, that tall sand dune would become known lovingly as NaNa. Thousands upon thousands of visitors and residents of American Beach have climbed to the top of NaNa over the decades. They have witnessed the breathtaking view offered by NaNa’s panoramic view of the sea.

In the early 1970s, new development gobbled up woods and dunes on either side of American Beach. Condominiums and golf courses replaced ancient sand dune systems. In the 1980s, Amelia Island continued to grow, and the Afro-American Insurance Co. began to fail. As the company edged toward bankruptcy, it sold 80 acres to Amelia Island Plantation, which today is the Omni Resort on Amelia Island. That sale included American Beach’s most distinct natural landmark, NaNa the sand dune. This transaction motivated people into action. American Beach residents began efforts to protect their community.

MaVynee Betsch, great grand-daughter of A.L. Lewis, founder of American Beach, worked hard to preserve American Beach. She helped put American Beach on Florida’s Black Heritage Trail. She fought hard to get American Beach listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And, MaVynee vowed, “I will never allow another nine holes of golf course to replace NaNa.” MaVynee knew her ashes would be scattered all over NaNa one day and she promised, “I will return to haunt anyone who tries to develop her.”

In 2003, Amelia Island Plantation donated the environmentally rare NaNa to the National Park Service, forever preserving this magnificent sand dune. NaNa was now officially part of the of Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve.  

To honor this momentous occasion, a large white tent was erected at the base of NaNa. Over 200 people including environmentalists, politicians, historians, Amelia Island residents and more came to witness the celebration. Many people spoke that day about the ecological importance of NaNa and how grateful they were that the dune was preserved.

In her speech celebrating Nana being transferred to the National Park Service, MaVynee reminded us all that NaNa was the largest sand dune in Florida without a condominium on top. She told us “NaNa was more than just an ecologically important sand-dune, NaNa was culturally significant as well.” MaVynee continued, “Bay-beeee, before segregation ended, half the black population in Jacksonville was conceived up there ... it was our lover’s lane ... there was no place else for people to go back then!” The audience at the celebration roared with laughter including myself. I was there; I witnessed MaVynee’s magic firsthand. She knew how to capture and captivate an audience like no other.

On September, 13, 2024 a large group of conservation-minded folks gathered once again at American Beach to celebrate the protection of a sand dune. This time “Little NaNa” was the center of attention. The North Florida Land Trust (NFLT) unveiled three new interpretive signs installed at the base of Little NaNa, a small sand dune the feeds NaNa.

Little NaNa is a 1.5-acre portion of a larger intact ancient sand dune system that includes NaNa, the largest sand dune remaining in the state of Florida. NFLT recognized the unique historic and cultural legacy of the American Beach Community and the ecological importance of Little NaNa. They purchased a portion of the sand dune for $500,000 and future preservation in 2021.

NaNa and Little NaNa sand dunes are part of a critical upland dune system found on our coastal barrier island. Sand accumulates and forms a “fore” dune that supports vegetation like sea oats and railroad vine to take root. The fore dune provides protection for a landward “transitional” dune to establish more plants. The taller plants trap blown sand, allowing the landward dune to grow. These sand dunes provided protection for barrier islands to mature and develop maritime forests.

Today, NaNa and Little NaNa are unique reminders of a once dominant sand dune system that guarded the entire shoreline of Amelia Island. The three new signs donated by NFLT described the natural role of the sand dunes protected on American Beach.

North Florida Land Trust reminds us that “Florida’s natural lands are simultaneously this state’s most significant economic, spiritual, cultural and historical asset. NFLT is committed to protecting all the parts of North Florida that make it unique – and that can’t be replaced. We must protect our land for future generations of humans and animals, and we must act now because it really is NOW or NEVER.”

Visit the North Florida Land Trust website for additional information about future land conservation efforts on Amelia Island and how you can help. Make plans to visit the A.L. Lewis Museum at the American Beach Community Center and learn more about this historical landmark community. And honor NaNa and Little NaNa by spending time observing these ancient creations of wind, waves, sand, and time.