February 11, 2026
Ready to step back in time? Here’s a look at the way life used to be on Amelia Island, and how visitors can experience these historic places in a much more relaxed way today.
During the Prohibition era of the 1920s, Fernandina’s lively port culture didn’t disappear; it just went underground, or upstairs as it were. Strict alcohol bans meant hidden bars, backroom gatherings, and whispered rumors of bootlegging along the coast. With ships coming and going, smugglers found creative ways to keep the party alive while staying one step ahead of authorities. An article from the Nassau County Leader on November 26, 1926 tells of “Liquor Laden” boats captured by the Coast Guard, carrying a big cargo of liquor valued at about $35,000. “Three of the bootleggers jumped overboard at Kingsley Creek and escaped. The fourth was brought to Fernandina and placed in the county jail. The captured boats are regular rum runners and believed to belong to a Gang of Jacksonville bootleggers.”
Today: Visit the Palace Saloon for a tasty but potent Pirates Punch. Not only is The Palace the oldest bar in Florida, but according to local lore, it was the last bar in Florida to close on the eve of Prohibition.
Before Florida statehood, and in earlier days (1800 – 1820), Amelia Island served as a “free port”, meaning it functioned as a neutral, tax-free, and loosely regulated trading hub. It was the closest, most accessible port to the U.S. for trafficking foreign goods, and you can only guess what happened. Located on the Amelia River, Old Town Fernandina was the original town platted in 1811, and it served as the epicenter for illegal maritime activities. The island became overrun with smugglers, pirates, and slave traders who bypassed U.S. trade restrictions to move cargo without paying customs duties. Old Town was a notorious, high-traffic hub for illicit goods until the United States took control of the island in 1821. Fast forward to the late 1800s/early 1900s, Fernandina’s waterfront thrived as a busy, gritty industrial hub, filled with large lumber wharves, extensive rail connections, and a booming commercial fishing scene that helped shape its reputation as a lawless port. Rows of shrimp boats crowded the docks along with fish processing plants.
Today: Visitors can stroll the waterfront, watch shrimp boats head out to sea, and take a cruise of the Amelia River to learn more about life and times in the early days of the Port of Fernandina.
During the late 1800s, Fernandina’s social scene came with plenty of unwritten rules. Proper attire was expected on Centre Street, social visits followed strict protocols, and public behavior reflected the formal standards of the era. A casual beach outfit or loud public gathering might have raised more than a few eyebrows. Social etiquette centered on maintaining reputation and order, often seen in the “Silk Stocking District” (North 6th & 7th Street), where homes featured sprawling porches for polite, chaperoned social calls and formal tea, ensuring privacy from the public. These homes, with detailed architecture, were designed for displaying upper-class status through refined behavior and structured entertaining. Tea on the Veranda, anyone?
Today: Amelia Island welcomes visitors exactly as they are, whether you’re dressed for a fine dining experience or enjoying a relaxed afternoon on the beach. To learn more, take a 1-hour “Gilded Age” walking tour by the Amelia Island Museum of History or a narrated ride with Anchor Trolleys & Transportation.
The construction of Fort Clinch, initiated in 1847 to protect the deep-water harbor, created a military presence that imposed military order. When Fort Clinch was active, soldiers lived under some of the strictest rules on the island. Daily schedules were highly structured, uniforms were mandatory, and even small infractions could lead to serious consequences. Everything from meal times to patrol duties followed a rigid routine designed to maintain order and readiness.
Today: Guests can explore the fort at their own pace, interact with living historians, and get a glimpse of military life – all minus the drills and inspections, of course.
One of the best parts about exploring Amelia Island today is the freedom to experience its rich past in your own way. Wander historic streets, tour Fort Clinch, sleep in centuries-old inns, or simply relax by the waterfront — all while imagining the colorful characters and curious customs that once filled the very streets where you’re walking/sleeping/playing today.
Historic Tours:
Plan a visit and experience Amelia Island’s past for yourself.
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