After seeing its golden age in the 1800s and early 1900s, Amelia
Island slipped into a calm and quiet slumber for most of the 20th
century; nevertheless, the local paper mills provided an important
economic base that brought people and jobs to the area.
It did not take long for people to discover the majestic beaches of the
island, and growth followed. Companies specializing in resort
development soon arrived, and the island became a popular vacation
destination. Throughout that transformation, local residents worked hard
to keep the small-town feel, natural surroundings, and historic
relevance intact.