| American Beach: Amelia Island's
Historic African-American Beach Community
Featured during Black History Month on local Public Broadcasting Station WJCT Channel 7,
Amelia Island's American Beach has been the subject of a documentary by
film maker Kathleen Donaghy. The documentary entitled "An
American Beach for African Americans," was broadcast nationwide.
A long-time resident of American Beach,
and the expert on its history, was the late MaVynee Betsch. Ms. Betsch,
the great granddaughter of A.L. Lewis, founder of the community, was featured in the American Beach documentary.
American Beach is located on Amelia
Island's southend, adjacent to the Amelia Island Plantation, off
A1A. American Beach is the first of 141 sites on Florida's Black Heritage Trail.
The owner of the first insurance company to locate its headquarters in
Florida, Mr. A.L. Lewis, founded American Beach during the 1930s. American Beach was a resort for affluent
African-Americans, and a popular destination during the Great Depression.
Burney Road Park at American Beach offers paved parking, restrooms,
showers, and picnic tables.
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