Isle of Eight Flags

This would be pure plagerism if I didn't tell you that everything in yellow come directly from http://www.ameliatoday.com/.

I had a friend come to visit for a short time, one who had never been to the area. We took a short driving tour of Fernandina and she asked some questions that I couldn't answer. I thought if would be interesting enough to look up some of those answers and compile them here.

1st question: What 8 flags have flown over Amelia? Here's the long version...
Originally inhabited over 4,000 years ago by the Timucuan Indians, the island is the only United States location to have been under eight different flags.

Huguenot leader Jean Ribault led the first recorded European expedition to the region. Seeking freedom for the persecuted Huguenots while extending the French empire, they arrived in May of 1562, resulting in the island being named "Isle de Mai" (Island of May).

The first Spanish reign was from 1565-1763. They constructed a mission, Santa Maria, near what is now known as Old Town,

Spain traded it for Cuba in 1763 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Britain subsequently divided its acquisition into the 14th and 15th colonies of East Florida and West Florida.

After the Revolution, Britain ceded Florida back to Spain in a second Treaty of Paris.

In 1807, President Thomas Jefferson signed the Embargo Act, closing United States ports to foreign shipping. This made the Spanish border town of Fernandina a center for piracy.

On March 17, 1812, the "Patriots of Amelia Island", with a timely appearance of a U.S. flotilla, won control and raised their "Patriot" flag above Fernandina.

1817, a Scotsman named Sir Gregor Macgregor, with support from influential Americans, again ran the Spanish off the island and raised the "Green Cross of Florida" flag.

Macgregor gave it over to Luis Aury, in order to garner and maintain control. Aury, in exchange for his support, demanded command of the island and raised the flag of the revolutionary Republic of Mexico, under whose sanction he was currently acting. bedlam ensued.

on July 10, 1821, Florida became a United States territory, rule and order came to the island

David Levy Yulee. He was key to securing Florida's statehood, becoming not only one of Florida's first U.S. Senators, but also the nation's first Jewish senator, he built a "New Fernandina" (Center Street and historical district), in order to make his railroad accessible.

Then the Confederate Flag was raised over nearby Fort Clinch.

On March 3, 1862 a Union flotilla of 28 vessels headed toward the island, becoming the largest amphibious deployment of U. S. forces to date. Union control remained throughout the remainder of hostilities.

On May 1, 1865, Fernandina Beach made history once again by holding the first southern election with white and black voters.

Golden Age. Between 1870 and 1910, many wealthy Americans made Fernandina their home, creating an elegant Victorian community that flourishes to this day.

Whew! That's a lot of history to cover in one short blog. So There are your 8 flags, beginning in 1562, and not one of them the Jolly Roger.