10/18/25 @ 9:00 a.m.

At the Wednesday, October 15, 2025, Board of County Commissioners meeting, Angie McClellan with the Yulee Historic Council shared an inspiring update on the group’s ongoing efforts to preserve Yulee’s rich history.

From restoring beloved landmarks like the old Yulee Middle School on U.S. 17 to safeguarding treasures such as the Joe Lee Higginbotham Homestead, Yulee Depot, Howell/Higginbotham structure on Pages Dairy Road, and the Brady Point Red School House, the Council is keeping local heritage alive for generations to come.

Founded in 1998, the Yulee Historic Council is dedicated to documenting Yulee’s past and protecting the stories and sites that define the community’s identity. One of their exciting goals is the creation of a living museum near the historic John Muir Ecological Park, offering residents and visitors alike a chance to step back in time and experience Yulee’s history firsthand.

The Council meets monthly on the second Monday at 86365 Pages Dairy Road, Yulee, and welcomes anyone interested in preserving the community’s history. To learn more or get involved, attend an upcoming meeting or call (904) 415-7513.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

6/11/25 @ 9:00 a.m. - In recent years, the Board of County Commissioners has made it a priority to document and preserve the county’s rich historical heritage. To achieve this, the County has implemented a multi-phased strategy to conduct Historical Resources Surveys across the various parts of Nassau County. These surveys aim to identify and evaluate historically significant sites and structures, with the ultimate goal of submitting eligible properties to the Florida Master Site File maintained by the State of Florida. Typically, these historic resources include buildings that are over 50 years old—constructed in 1975 or earlier.

The County completed Phase One of the Historical Resources Survey in June 2020 which consisted of surveying the US-17, US-1, SR200, Callahan, Boulogne, Bryceville and Nassauville areas in Nassau County, including 558 historic structures, each of which were recorded into the Florida Master Site File.

Phase Two of the survey will consist of surveying an additional 250-300 structures and is currently underway. There will not be a formal presentation however Planning Department staff and the consultants for the project, Stantec and the Community Planning Collaborative, will be present at the Hilliard Branch Library on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. to share information about the Historic Resources Survey initiative and allow the community to ask questions and provide feedback. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

4/29/25 @ 3:30 p.m.

​​In recent years, the Board of County Commissioners has made it a priority to document and preserve the county’s rich historical heritage. To achieve this, the County has implemented a multi-phased strategy to conduct Historical Resources Surveys across the various parts of Nassau County. These surveys aim to identify and evaluate historically significant sites and structures, with the ultimate goal of submitting eligible properties to the Florida Master Site File maintained by the State of Florida. Typically, these historic resources include buildings that are over 50 years old—constructed in 1975 or earlier.
 
The County completed Phase One of the Historical Resources Survey in June 2020 which consisted of surveying the US-17, US-1, SR200, Callahan, Boulogne, Bryceville and Nassauville areas in Nassau County, including 558 historic structures, each of which were recorded into the Florida Master Site File. Phase Two of the survey will consist of surveying an additional 250-300 structures.
 
Property owners or residents in the William Burgess District, Thomas Creek Area, Lessie, Evergreen, Kings Ferry and O’Neil communities should be advised of upcoming architectural surveying within their areas beginning late April through July 2025. The surveyors are architectural historians from Stantec, Inc., an engineering and planning consultant firm.
 
The Stantec architectural historians will be preparing brief written architectural descriptions of all surveyed properties and will be taking photographs of the exteriors of these surveyed buildings. Florida Master Site File forms on those properties surveyed will be prepared and submitted to the State with photographs. Please note that all photographs will be taken from public streets and field workers will not enter any private property.
 
Following completion of the William Burgess District, Thomas Creek area, Lessie, Evergreen, Kings Ferry and O’Neil surveys, the resulting documentation will be publicly available as a report on the Nassau County website under the Planning Department sub-page. For more information on what this will entail, please visit the report produced from Phase I of this project. It can be found under the Planning Department tab on www.Nassaucountyfl.com.
 
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Nassau County Planning Department at (904) 530-6320, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer
 

8/6/24 @ 3:30 p.m. 

The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation has recognized Nassau County for its excellence in historic preservation, earning the Board of County Commissioners a 2024 Florida Preservation Award for its publication Citizen’s Guide to Preserving Public Places in Nassau County.

The Citizen’s Guide to Preserving Public Places in Nassau County serves as a comprehensive resource for citizens interested in historic preservation. Created in partnership with the Community Planning Collaborative, the guide is designed to fill a gap in local historic preservation and resources. It offers user-friendly information on federal, state and local historic preservation on topics such as cemeteries, house history research, historic sites, and more.

Nassau County is one of Florida’s oldest counties with history dating back to indigenous communities and early European contact. The guide highlights the importance of preserving lesser-known historic towns and cemeteries, contributing to the broader understanding of Florida’s development. It also emphasizes the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, ensuring accurate representation of this community by engaging local Gullah/Geechee National representatives. The guide is available both online and in print and has already been distributed to community stakeholders to spur local advocacy and enhance Nassau County’s preservation efforts.

“This year’s Preservation Award winners are wonderful examples of the work being done around the state to protect and promote the stories that make up our shared history,” said Florida Trust Board President Mike Cosden. “On behalf of the Florida Trust, we thank these winners for the important work they are doing to protect our state’s extraordinary history – and for inspiring others to do the same in their own communities.”

To view the Citizen’s Guide to Preserving Public Places in Nassau County, please visit: https://nassaufl.co/CitizensGuidetoHistoricPlaces.

If you have any questions, please contact the Planning Department at (904) 530-6320 or via email at [email protected].

2/22/24 @ 9:30 a.m. - The Board of County Commissioners has been working to determine possible uses for the Evan's Rendezvous, a historical structure that served as a restaurant and entertainment venue in the American Beach Community. The site was acquired by the County through a Florida Community Trust Grant in 2004 and consists of the lot containing the Evans's Rendezvous structure, two lots to the south, and three lots across the street. At this time, the County is working with a consultant to explore options for future use.

The consultant, Community Planning Collaborative, has conducted planning efforts which included a focus on preservation, protection of the nearby dunes and vegetation, and rehabilitation of the structure, all while maintaining the unique and historic character of the community. A series of community meetings were held this fall to allow residents to provide feedback about possible uses.

​The results of their efforts were presented at the Monday, February 12, 2024 Board of County Commissioner's meeting. The PowerPoint presentation can be found here. You can also watch the presentation and hear all discussions and feedback by clicking here. The presentation can be found under "Tab B".

If you have any questions, please contact the Planning Department at (904) 530-6320.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

12/13/23 @ 12:30 p.m.

​On Saturday, December 2, 2023, the County hosted a community meeting to discuss the potential use of the Evans' Rendezvous, a historical structure that served as a restaurant and entertainment venue in the American Beach Community. Several dozen residents were in attendance and shared ideas on what they envision for the site's future. 

The site was acquired by the County through a Florida Community Trust Grant in 2004 and consists of the lot containing the Evans's Rendezvous structure, two lots to the south, and three lots across the street. At this time, the County is working with a consultant to explore options for future use.

According to Principal Adrienne Burke of Community Planning Collaborative, planning efforts will include a focus on preservation, protection of the nearby dunes and vegetation, and rehabilitation of the structure, all while maintaining the unique and historic character of the community. 
 
This was the second of three community meetings on this topic as another meeting was also held on November 4, 2023. Presentations from each meeting can be found here on the Planning Department's webpage. If you were unable to attend the presentations but have questions, please reach out to Planning Director, Elizabeth Backe, at (904) 530-6320 or via email at [email protected]. 

The third community meeting will take place on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. a the American Beach Community Center. Everyone is invited to attend.

-Sabrina Robertson 
​ Public Information Officer

11/9/23 @ 4:00 p.m. - On Saturday, November 4, 2023, the County hosted a community meeting to discuss the potential use of the Evans' Rendezvous, a historical structure that served as a restaurant and entertainment venue in the American Beach Community. Several dozen residents were in attendance and shared ideas on what they envision for the site's future. 

The site was acquired by the County through a Florida Community Trust Grant in 2004 and consists of the lot containing the Evans's Rendezvous structure, two lots to the south, and three lots across the street. At this time, the County is working with a consultant to explore options for future use.

According to Principal Adrienne Burke of Community Planning Collaborative, planning efforts will include a focus on preservation, protection of the nearby dunes and vegetation, and rehabilitation of the structure, all while maintaining the unique and historic character of the community. 
 
A copy of Ms. Burke's presentation can be found here on the Planning Department's webpage. If you were unable to attend the presentation but have questions, please reach out to Planning Director, Elizabeth Backe, at (904) 530-6320 or via email at [email protected]. 

The next community meeting will take place on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. a the American Beach Community Center. Everyone is invited to attend.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer