Florida House Inn

he Florida House was built in 1857 by David Yulee's Florida Railroad - his planned Railroad from Fernandina to Cedar Key was to be the first cross state railroad. Linking the two important ports, one on the Atlantic Coast and the other on the Gulf Coast. Fernandina at that time had the largest and deepest harbor south of Chesapeake Bay. Both ports were important to the Lumber and Naval Stores industry.

The original building was of typical frame Vernacular "Cracker" style construction. It housed important people for the Florida Railroad. David Yulee saw his dream interrupted by the Civil War (War of Northern Aggression to the folks in the South). He left town on his Railroad, shortly after the port and Fort Clinch was seized by the Northern Troops. The hotel housed Officers of the North during the War. After the War was over, Major Leddy (who was Provost Marshall at Ft. Clinch) and his wife acquired the Hotel, and continued it's operation as a Hotel in the then bustling down town. An addition was added in 1865 to provide living space for the Leddy's. Also added was a Dining Room so that guests and locals could gather and have Boarding-House meals. It was two blocks from the Railroad Terminal and three blocks from the Port for Fernandina, an important docking facility for ships from far and near. Mrs. Leddy continued to run the Hotel and Dining Room after her husband's death.

In 1882 a second building was added to North, it was built by Mrs. Joseph Higgins as an addition to the Florida House. In August of that year the Florida Mirror observed that this "popular house is to be enlarged and renovated generally, in time to accommodate next winter's travel." In November, James McGiffin a local contractor was granted the contract and commenced work on the addition which was to be 23" X 58", two stories high, and contain some twelve rooms. It will be provided with double piazzas. Upon completion of the second building the Florida House had 25 rooms available, and during the Golden Age of Fernandina in the 1890's there were many visitors. During the Civil War many Veterans found the climate and economic conditions ideal both for Winter Visits and as a place to settle.

The following excerpt about the Florida House appeared in 1885:

This hotel, the most accessible in the city, has been under its present proprietorship over 15 years. Every part of the House is appropriately and well furnished, and is kept exceedingly neat, clean, and orderly. Without seeming to be watched or patronized, guests are looked after with kindness and attention... There is not a more cozy, home-like place for the weary and hungry in All of Florida... Mrs. Leddy... has enlarged the house and increased the value of the property.

In 1990, The Florida House Inn undertook a Massive Renovation and Reconstruction of the original buildings. From the original 25 rooms there are now 16 rooms plus 2 carriage houses across the street for Visitors and Travelers to Amelia Island and it's Historic Victorian Port of Fernandina. Come and Let our History come alive for you...