“Then and Now” – A look back in Fernandina’s history

April 25, 2018 9:54 a.m.

Editor’s Note: The following letter to the editor written on December 8, 1919, and later published in the “Fernandina News-Record” with a response from Editor S. W. Manucy, is a wealth of information for local history buffs. The letter and editor’s response, gives us a glimpse of how our city and waterfront have evolved over the years. We hope you enjoy.

Then and Now
“Questions are asked by a One-Time Resident – Comparisons Made
Washington, D.C. December 8, 1919

Editor News-Record:

“Steamboat at Wharf” Circa late 1800’s State Archives of Florida

“Who among you denizens of the Island City remember when Fernandina had:

A regular line of steamers plying to Charleston, S.C.?

Daily steamers to and from Brunswick, Ga.?

A daily steamer to Jacksonville, Fla.?

Two lines of steamers to and from New York City?

Two good hotels: the Mansions and the Florida houses – both hotels crowded during “the tourist season?

Three large saw-mills: Freeman’s, Huots and Reed’s – each one of them running to their full capacity day and night?

When nearly all the docks were crowded with vessels, loading heavy timber for, principally, ports on the east coast of South America and the West India Islands?

When W.K. Bauknight had a cattle pen near the lighthouse, and his retail meat shop in the down-town district, where he sold good steaks three pounds for a quarter of a dollar and ice -cut with a hand-saw- cheaper than it can be bought now?

When there were two bath houses on the river front that were a delight to young and old during the summer season?

When sugar could be bought twenty pounds for a dollar – now many sections of the country is satisfied to use – when the can get it – “long sweetening” for ten and coffee?

Put those questions to some of the “oldest inhabitants.”

Reminiscently yours,

F.L. Oridian [Editor’s Response on December 12, 1919 ]

Mr. Oridian has out grown our recollection, but the different questions he asks have not outgrown his. But to “put him next” to things that have and are transpiring since he left our city, we will “Put him wise.”

Fernandina owns a trolley line, and an eighty foot hard-surfaced road to the beach and a modern sewerage system.

Fernandina has not a vacant house. Others are being built.

A gasoline passenger and freight boat plies daily between this city and St Marys; also a steamer that runs weekly between this city and Brunswick, Ga. The railroad line (two round trips daily) between Fernandina and Jacksonville put a stop to the river boat.

Fernandina has two good saw mills. Where stood one of the saw mills of which he speaks, the site was recently sold to the Seaboard or the Dunellon Phosphate Co. The Reed mill site is now occupied by fish scrap factories – the Seminole factory the largest on the Atlantic coast of the United States.

We have a $125,000 government building [built in Old Town], and up-to-date city hall and county court house. Fernandina owns and operates its light, water and ice plants.

Centre Street Fernandina showing a portion of the Keystone Hotel. This photo was possibly taken during a May Day Parade.

Two of the hotels he mentioned are still here and are being operated. We have another hotel, the Keystone, that is on a par with the best hotels.

The docks, or many of them, are now occupied by shrimp houses. The way shrimp are now caught was unknown during Mr. Oridians time in Fernandina. About 400 sea going gasoline boats are in operation and shrimp or prawn are caught at sea by drag nets. Eight car loads of raw shrimp were recently sent out of the city which was one days catch, while two shrimp canning factories are in daily operations. The heads of shrimp are being turned into a valuable fertilizer by a company here.

Phosphate was also unknown when the questioner resided here. A large phosphate elevator is now being used, and while this article is being penned three tramp steamers are here loading or waiting for their turn at the elevator, and this occurs frequently.

Marshlands were of no value years ago, but right now men are at work on the marsh where a half million dollars will be expended in erecting wharves and buildings.

But when it comes to paying a quarter of a dollar for three pounds of steak and five cents a pound for sugar, we have to stop. Those prices were during the days of “Auld Lang Syne,” but now they are not.”

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Mary Maguire
Mary Maguire (@guest_50941)
5 years ago

Terrific post. Thanks.