The shores of North Florida and South Georgia offer visitors beaches with unique sites. From the coast of Driftwood Beach to American Beach the views of the Atlantic Ocean also allow visitors to engage in the history of the area. 

DRIFTWOOD BEACH

Located on the northern end of Jekyll Island, Georgia, Driftwood Beach features ancient Driftwood that marks the coast. While people question where the Driftwood came from, researchers discovered that over the last century the lush Forrest that was once there, deteriorated to the now tree boneyard due to erosion. With the help of saltwater and rough winds, the trees slowly died, but stayed rooted into the sand, leaving the skeletons featured on the beach today. The trees never washed away due to the waves around Jekyll Island being gentler, and not strong enough to sweep away the debris. This is due to the island being far away from the continental shelf and being one of the four barrier islands found of the coast of Georgia. 

Driftwood Beach is open to the public at anytime of the day, while there is no fee to enter the beach, guest must pay an eight-dollar fee to drive onto the island. Over a mile long, Driftwood Beach offers guest a place to fish, bird watch, and hike. The beach is also pet friendly, allowing the whole family to enjoy the views of Costal Georgia.

PETER’S POINT

Located in the center of Fernandina Beach, Peter’s Point is where many locals go to soak up the sun. Peters Point is pet friendly, even including horses, which groups of riders take advantage of. The beach even allows people who are residences of Nassau County drive on the beach. This beach also is the connecting point between Main Beach and American Beach. Many of these beaches on Amelia Island were split or given different names because of the property being divided and bought. While all beaches are mainly owned by the city or state, some have different purposes. Main Beach for example is also a park, with a jungle gym for kids to play on. Peter’s Point has parking and restrooms for visitors as well. Peter’s Point is open to visitors 24 hours a day.

AMERICAN BEACH

Located on Fernandina Beach, Florida, American Beach offers a historical significance to the North Florida area. Due to segregation laws, African Americans were denied entry to most public beaches. American Beach was created to offer the African Americans access to the beach. In 1935, Jacksonville’s Afro American Life Insurance Company-– a Pension Bureau of a pioneering black-owned business – bought the 33 acres of shorefront property. The land was subdivided by the Pension Bureau, and offered parcels for sale to company executives, share owners, and community leaders. In 1940, with many building lots unsold, the Afro offered them for sale to the wider black community, with construction taking off after World War II. 

After Hurricane Dora in 1964, many homes and businesses were damaged and destroyed. But the damaged was a minor setback compared to the setbacks from the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The act opened all public facilities to African Americans. Giving the African Americans more places to vacation at and overall causing the American Beach community to go out of business.

FORT CLINCH STATE PARK BEACH

Fort Clinch State Park is located on Amelia Island, Florida at the entrance of the Cumberland Sound and St. Mary’s River. Named after General Duncan Lamont Clinch who was an important figure in Florida’s Seminole War which occurred during the 1830s(site). Fort Clinch was built in 1847 with the construction continuing into the beginning of the Civil War. At the start of the Civil War the fort was under the control of the Confederate Army. After, the Fort was maintained by the U.S Army until the sinking of the U.S.S Maine which lead to the start of the Spanish-American War and Fort Clinch was once again under the Armies control. Now, the Fort can be walked through daily from dawn to dusk by visitors. The State Park also has bike trails and beach access for visitors as well, and all it cost is six dollars for entry into the park.

The beach apart of the state park can be accessed from the state park it’s self, or the beach can be accessed, free of charge, from the Dee Dee Bartels Boat Ramp, which is on the north end of Amelia Island.

BONEYARD BEACH

For centuries, long before Florida was known to settlers across the ocean, the place known as Little and Big Talbot State Park, also known as Boneyard Beach, was once used by Native Americans as hunting and fishing grounds. In 1562, the French Huguenots named them “Timucua.” In 1735, General James Oglethorpe named the islands in honor of Charles Baron Talbot, Lord High Chancellor of England. This name would stick to this very day.

Called Boneyard Beach do to the “Bones” of trees covering the beach creates a mysterious ambience. Boneyard Beach shares this look with Driftwood Beach, located an hour north in Jekyll Island, Georgia. Big Talbot State Park is open 8am to dusk 365 days a year for people to enjoy. There is a $5 per vehicle admission fee, and visitors can even camp on the islands if they would like.

CONCLUSION

The area’s rich history offers insight about the growth of North Florida and South Georgia. Through the Civil War to the Civil Rights movement, North Florida has been represented through American History. Adventuring to these areas, also show the beauty of the beaches too. The driftwood that lines the coast is a staple to the area, offering a view seen once in a life time.

REFERENCES

“Fort Clinch State Park .” Florida State Parks, 2018, http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch. Accessed 12 Feb. 2024.

Walker, T. “Fort Clinch State Park.” State Parks, 2023, stateparks.com/fort_clinch_state_park_in_florida.html. Accessed 12 Feb. 2024.

Little talbot island state park. Florida State Parks. (n.d.-c). https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/little-talbot-island-state-park

Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island │ directions, Maps & Photos. Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau. (n.d.). https://www.goldenisles.com/driftwood-beach/#:~:text=The%20beach%20and%20its%20iconic,unique%20to%20the%20Golden%20Isles 

Oganga, J. (2022, May 30). Driftwood Beach is home to trees more than 500 years old . TheTravel. https://www.thetravel.com/what-makes-driftwood-beach-so-unique

U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). History of American beach. National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/timu/learn/historyculture/ambch_history.htm 

VISIT FLORIDA. (2024, March 22). Beach Guide: Peters Point, Amelia Island’s relaxing retreat. VISIT FLORIDA. https://www.visitflorida.com/travel-ideas/articles/beach-guide-amelia-island-beach-peters-point/