American Beach is an historic beach community on Amelia Island, originally founded in 1935 by Florida's first African American millionaire, Abraham Lincoln Lewis, the founder of the Afro-American Life Insurance Company. The community was originally founded as a vacation community for company employees and their families, striving to serve as a place where African American residents could vacation without the humiliation of segregation or discrimination. During this period of the community's history, it played host to some of the region's most noted African American celebrities, including Ray Charles, Zora Neale Hurston, and Sherman Hemsley. Following desegregation in the 1960s after the passage of the Civil Rights Act, the district's popularity as a vacation spot declined, though it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002 for its significance in 20th century culture. Today, visitors can explore historic attractions such the Nana sand dune and historic park, which spans 8.5 acres throughout the community and is overseen by the National Park Service.

Phone: 800-226-3542

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