AMELIA ISLAND
AN EXPERIENCE TO BE REMEMBERED
By Roy Love
Tucked away in Florida’s northeastern corner, Amelia Island is
unlike anything that you would expect to find in the "Sunshine State."
It has the charm of the "Old South," more like coastal Georgia
or the Carolinas. Driving onto the island you can feel the cool
tranquility of the surrounding stately live oaks welcoming you as the everyday hustle and
bustle ebbs away. |
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On the northern tip of the island lies the sleepy little village of Fernandina.
In keeping with the charm and hospitality of the old south many of the colonial and
Victorian style homes have been open to guests for Bed and Breakfast. Fernandina is
steeped in history. Just ask its Museum of History Director, Ronald Kurtz.
If you get a chance to go on a tour conducted by Ron, take advantage of it. He will
give you the background and history of the town and the island. For example: he will tell
you that the island was controlled by four different countries, Spain, France
England and the United States. It was also a refuge for
pirates that roamed the East Coast and the Caribbean.
Because of its excellent deep water port and a strategic location, slavery became a major
industry. Located just across from Georgia it was easy to anchor in the bay and
smuggle the slaves in at night
Railroads played a great part of the story of this little town. David Yulee,
a United States Senator and member of one of the towns most prominent
families, built a railroad across the state connecting the Gulf of Mexico
and the Atlantic. It was his dream to build the largest shipping
port in the South. Unfortunately his plan did not materialize and its construction had to
be abandoned because of the of the war between the states |
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Kurtz will tell you about the period architecture, the history of the
leading families, stories of old sea captains, the oldest saloon
(recently burned and now being restored, ) and other quaint stories pertinent to the town.
One of his favorites, is the story that still influences the philosophy of keeping
the island pristine. A crew of wood cutters were assigned to cut down a large tree
that stood in the middle of the street. One of the elderly citizens, a lady of
conviction, cradling a shotgun - sat out on her porch that looked out on the street and
threatened to shoot any who dared to touch the tree -The tree still stands. |
| The story evidently had a great influence on the building codes of The
Amelia Plantation Group. "When we purchased the land,
said Norman Bray Exe.Vice President and Director of Real Estate,
we were motivated by a deep conviction that the land should remain as natural as it
could be." That philosophy has continued to flourish as the property has
grown into an exclusive housing development. It is not unusual to find a home built
around an existing tree rather than have it cut down. |
In the midst of this pristine property lies The Amelia Plantation Resort.
This resort offers all of the amenities that anyone could ever want. A championship golf
course named "one of the best golf resorts in America" by
Golf
Magazine, has 54 holes that weave in and out of the tangled live oaks and
then bordering on the blue Atlantic.
To complement the courses there are two golf schools, The Plantation’s golf school
located at Long Point, and The Ron Philo Golf School
staffed by PGA professionals including, Senior PGA Tour
player Bob Duval, - if the names sounds familiar, Bob is David
Duval’s father The Philo school offer instruction to players of all
skill levels. |
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One of the best tennis facilities in all of Florida,
Racquet Park has hosted the likes of - Navratilova, Graff, Conners,
Aggassi and is in its 20th year hosting the Bausch & Lomb
Women’s Tennis Tournament. Championships |
| Horseback riding in the surf. Seven miles of nature trails for
walking, biking and jogging. Fishing trips in the bay or out on the Atlantic.
Miles of beach to walk on or to just lay back in the sun. Swimming pools, a health
spa and supervised recreational programs. Luxurious one-two- and three bedroom
villas complete with living, dining areas and fully equipped kitchens. |
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Five restaurants offering anything from Hamburgers to Haute
Cuisine. The Sunday Brunch is something to behold. An ice carving surrounded
by locally caught jumbo shrimp, a variety of sea food including crab legs and crab claws. |
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Next to the seafood station is a display of sliced meats, cheeses and
smoked salmon. In the center of the room is a display of rolls and breads. On the
adjacent wall looking out over the ocean are several chafing dishes filled with Spinach
Florentine, Eggs Benedict, Roast Beef Hash, and many other exotic dishes to please the
palate. As you are about to leave the room. a chef mans a carving station offering
you succulent slices of roast sirloin of beef carved to your satisfaction
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In the middle of the dinning room stands a display of
desserts. Cheese and German Chocolate cakes, fruit toppings, pies and exquisitely
presented, Petit Four's |
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A staff, trained to the highest standards of any European hotel,
stands ready to accommodate your slightest whim.
For a memorable vacation or just a relaxing weekend get away, Amelia Island
Plantation Resort is definitely a place to consider. . |
For more information contact
Elizabeth Revell, Director of Tourism 800-226-3512
Amelia Island Reservations 800-874-6878
Ed Tucker, Director of Golf 904-277-5907
Ronald Kurtz, Amelia Island Museum Director 904-261-7378 |
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