- Joined
- Jul 30, 2018
- Location
- Germany
During my recent Florida trip I stayed at the Florida House Inn in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida's oldest surviving hotel. It's in the heart of the historic district, just two blocks away from the visitor center and pier.
The inn was built in 1857 by David Yulee's Florida Railroad Company, intended to be used as a boarding house. The railroad from Fernandina to Cedar Key was finished about a month before the Civil War broke out.
After the Confederates' retreat from Amelia Island in spring 1862, the Florida House Inn was used by Union officers as quarters.
After the Civil War, Major Thomas Leddy and his wife Ann acquired the inn and operated it as a hotel. Major Leddy served in the 69th New York Infantry as part of the Irish Brigade. He was wounded at Fredericksburg during the attack on Marye's Heights.
Ulysses S. Grant stayed at the Florida House Inn and was entertained in the dining room which today is the Mermaid bar and restaurant. The time of his visit is a bit confusing though; my sources say 1866 during the Presidential campaign. But the campaign wasn't until 1868.
When you come in through the front door, there's a parlor to the left, usuable by all guest as community space.
The inn offers 16 guest rooms. My one was no. 4 directly next to the top of the staircase.
Look at the fan blades (also the picture of the dining room further above) - styled as leaves. Aren't they lovely?
There are lots of drawings on the walls depicting the Civil War, such as these:
The inn also has a beautiful brick back courtyard with an old oak tree.
The bar/restaurant was closed the night I was there so I couldn't sample the food, but the breakfast which is served in the historic boarding house style (a long table where everyone meets for breakfast) was wonderful. The historic district and several old houses that were used during the Civil War as officer quarters are within walking distance.