Amelia Island

Amelia Island

Eight flags have flown over Amelia Island but 9 people have owned it. Starting with Native Americans finding the Island in 1000 and staying until 1700 until the french arrived. The french stayed for 8 years until fought by the Spanish who took control. ames Oglethorpe, founder of Georgia and a colonial governor, was the next person to make history here, landing and calling the island Amelia Island, the name it still carries today. The name was given in honor of King George II's daughter, Princess Amelia. At the time, the island was still in Spanish possession, but Oglethorpe managed to set up a small settlement on the island's northwestern edge. With negotiation, Oglethorpe convinced Spanish officials to transfer the island to the British sovereignty. In 1783 Spain ruled Florida putting the Island back under the Spanish flag. A group called Patriots of Amelia Island" seized the island in 1813 and the Patriot Flag of the Republic of Florida flew. The flag flew for only one day as their planned attempt to transfer Amelia Island to the control of the United States failed and Spain regained its position. In 1816 a Scottish explorer Sir Gregor MacGregor along with a small force of 55 musketeers captured the island in June of 1817. They raised their own Green Cross of Florida flag. By September of 1817 pirates had invaded the island and pirate Luis Aury, on behalf of the Republic of Mexico, laid claim and flew the Mexican flag until U.S. Naval forces drove him away. In 1821 the United States took Florida over from Spain and the American flag was hung. During the civil war Florida was on the confederate side so the American flag was taken down and a Confederate flag was put up being the 7th flag the island had seen. Finally, on March 3, 1863, Union forces, commanded by Commodore Samuel Dupont and consisting of a fleet of 28 gunboats, restored control of Amelia Island. The United States flag was raised for good.

A sign that reads "Welcome to Amelia Island ! At last, you're here at the water's edge. Relax. Breath in the salty air. Listen to the seabirds and ocean waves. Look around. You have stepped into a rare and special world: a barrier island ecosystem on the Atlantic coast, a place of history and intrigue and derring do, a timeless sanctuary called Amelia Island. Ocean waves and beach dunes, tidal creeks and maritime forests, shrimp boats or pirates gold-who knows what you might find here? Amelia Island has been welcoming and sustaining visitors to this lush green landscape for thousands of years. Today, it's your turn. Enjoy!"

Mags Mullican

Mags Mullican

Mags Mullican

08/06/2021

Mags Mullican

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