Florida Memory is administered by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, Bureau of Archives and Records Management. The digitized records on Florida Memory come from the collections of the State Archives of Florida and the special collections of the State Library of Florida.

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Accompanying note: "The History of Fernandina Beach on the Isle of Eight Flags. On May 3, 1562, Admiral Jean Ribault landed, and took possession in name of France. Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach area were occupied at that time by the Timuquan Indians. Three years later the Spanish took over the Island and lived at peace with the Indians. In 1763 the English flag flew over the Island when Spain ceded all of Florida under the Treaty of Paris. In 1783 England returned Florida to Spain. In the early 1800's resentment against Spanish rule caused a group of patriots to organize the Republic of Florida, and they seized Fernandina and hoisted the 'Patriot's Flag.' Later Fernandina was returned to Spanish rule, but in June 1817 General Sir Gregor MacGregor, a picturesque Scotsman, sailed in, captured the town and ran up a White Flag with a Green Cross and ruled for a few months."
"On Oct. 4, 1817, the French Pirate 'Commodore' Luis Aury, took over for Mexico, and raised the Mexican Flag. Shortly thereafter the U.S.A. sent in troops who took the island from Aury to hold it in trust for Spain."
"Finally in 1821 U. S. purchased Florida from Spain, and in 1847 built a sturdy fort on the island's military reservation, which was named Fort Clinch. At outbreak of War between the States the Confederate Flag was raised over Fernandina and Fort Clinch. In 1862, however, Fernandina was overcome by a Union fleet and occupied by Federal forces, and the Flag of the Powerful United States of America has flown over the Island ever since."
On back: "Pierre and Jean Lafitte, the almost legendary pirates during the period, operated in the vicinity and visited Fernandina at will, along with other famed pirates."

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Chicago Manual of Style
Fernandina Beach on the isle of 8 flags. 1900 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. <https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/328941>, accessed 20 August 2025.
MLA
Fernandina Beach on the isle of 8 flags. 1900 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.<https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/328941>
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