FORMAL OPENING

Fort Clinch State Park

FERNANDINA, FLORIDA

November 16, 1940

PROGRAM

Presiding, Mrs. Linwood Jeffreys

Secretarty, Florida Board of Forestry

11:00 Address of Welcome    Mayor P. E. Stapleton

11:05 Response    A. G. McArthur President, Florida Board of Forestry

11:10 Establishment of Fort Clinch State Park, Senator Dan Kelly, Jr.

11:15 The Development of Fort Clinch State Park, M. B. Greene, Project Superintendent

11:20 Fort Clinch State Park A Recreation Center, Hon. Thomas Shave, Jr.

11:25 The Flags That Have Flown Over Amelia Island, W. N. Galphin

11:30 The History of Fort Clinch and Amelia Island, T. Frederick Davis

11:35 Civilian Conservation Corps Participation, Director J. J. McEntee

11:40 Fort Clinch State Park and Its Relation to the State Park System, H. J. Malsberger, State Forester and Park Executive

11:45 National Park Service Participation, H. K. Roberts, Assistant Regional Director

11:50 Introduction of Guests

12:00 Raising of the Flag Formal Dedication of State Park, Mrs. Linwood Jeffreys, A. G. McArthur

Florida Forest and Park Service

History of Fort Clinch

The construction of Fort Clinch (named for General Duncan Lamont Clinch) was started in 1850. At the outbreak of the Civil War the fort was not completely finished or equipped. The Confederates occupied it and attempted to make it servicable; this work was under Col. R. E. Lee's general supervision and he made several personal visits to Fort Clinch to inspect it. The Third Regiment of Florida Volunteers was stationed here. Fort Clinch was evacuated by the Confederates in March, 1862, upon the approach of an overwhelming Federal force. thereafter Amelia Island remained in possession of the Union army until the close of the War.

During the Spanish-American War seveal regiments were stationed at and in the vicinity of Fort Clinch. In 1935 the City of Fernandina and the Florida Forest and Park Service purchased for State park purposes Fort Clinch and 1000 acres of land. The development as planned by the National Park Service and The Florida Forest and Park Service is being executed by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Fort Clinch is one of ten Florida State Parks administered by the Florida Forest and Park Service.

Opened for public use November 16, 1940.