Wow! This was a great find. Were were informed at registration that this is Florida’s third most popular state park three years in a row. Not surprised to hear that. We went there to see the fort, which is not a reconstruction, but were just a happy to see the park itself.
Roads were lined with live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. We had a site in the Amelia River campground. Not sure why but this campground is easier to get into than the Atlantic Beach campground. Very nice and very clean facilities. A lot like Anastasia!
In any case, the federal government began construction of the fort in 1847 and early in the Civil War, it was taken over by Confederate blockade runners. The rifled cannon proved to be more than enough fire power to force them out and by 1862 federal troops (specifically, Co E, 1st NY Engineers) had reoccupied the fort. State Park re-enactors interpret the period as members of this unit.
Along with the bakery, one of the first areas of the fort to be finished at the fort was the laundry although there was a shortage of “reputable” women to do the work.
And in the kitchen, another early completion, important words to live by, especially during this holiday season.
From the Amelia River Campground, it was a very short walk to the beach. No swimming was allowed here, but it was a wonderful place to take an early morning or afternoon stroll. Heading northeast, you end up back at the fort. It was a very different view from the outside walls.
The town of Fernandina Beach is home to the park and one of the most beautiful buildings there is St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.