2022 Summer Newsletter

COUNTY SPOTLIGHT: NASSAU COUNTY

Nassau County was the 10th county established in the state of Florida on December 29th, 1824. The county was sectioned out of Duval County and named after the Nassau River which separated the two. Nassau County is known for its fascinating history, dating back to when the French landed on Amelia Island in 1562 and the Spanish settled in 1567, making Fernandina Beach the second oldest city in the Country. Amelia Island is home to the oldest lighthouse, the oldest saloon, and the last platted Spanish settlement in Florida. Amelia Island, known as the Isle of the Eight Flags, is the only territory in the United States which was under the dominion of eight flags during the past 500 years. The eight flags consist of the French, Spanish, English, Patriot, Green Cross of Florida, Mexican, Confederate, and the United States flags. Each year during the first

Hon. A Michael Hickox,CFA

Property Appraiser

weekend of May, the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival is held to celebrate the birth of the modern Shrimping Industry. Fernandina Beach has a natural deep-water port with proximity to the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean, which has been utilized since the mid 1800’s. Nassau County is conveniently located between NAS Jax and King’s Bay Naval Base, making it a prime location for military members and their families. About 13.6% of the adult population that reside in the county have served in the United States Armed Forces, almost double the national average of 7%. With two full-service resorts, multiple golf courses, and thirteen miles of pristine beaches, Amelia Island is one of the leading tourist attractions in the state of Florida, with almost 1.5 million visitors every year.

The timber industry is a key component of life in Nassau County. The significant economic boom began with the paper industry in the late 1930s. Container Corporation of America (today’s WestRock) planted its roots in Fernandina, establishing a paperboard mill, which began production in 1937. This changed the course of history here in Nassau County. It contributes $35 million annually to Florida’s wages and salaries and $2 million to Florida’s property and sales taxes.

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Summer 2022 Newsletter of the FCIAAO