NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – On Thursday, the National Park Service announced that it will be opening a 45-day window to allow for public comment on the potential landmark designation of American Beach, a historic Nassau County beach that was once one of the only beaches for Black families in the Jacksonville area.
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NPS said this window is the only time the public will have to comment before the nomination is finalized. Once it is, the nomination will head to the National Historic Landmark Committee for consideration before making its way to the National Park System Advisory Board.
The board is responsible for recommending the nomination to the Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, who ultimately has the final power to determine if American Beach will receive the landmark designation.
According to the agency, the draft study, which was completed by The NDN Companies along with Stantec and Community Planning Collaborative, determined that American Beach is significant as a nationally recognized space that Black leaders comprehensively planned during segregation.
American Beach was founded in 1935 and was named as the first site of the Florida Black Heritage Trail. Its establishment is also linked to the growing spending power of African Americans during that time, which enabled the creation and support of Black-owned businesses.
"American Beach endures through a collection of buildings, structures, and landscape features which illustrate a segregated planned ocean beach resort located on Amelia Island," NPS writes.
Those who would like to comment can begin by clicking this link, selecting “open for comment” on the left menu bar, open the “2025 American Beach Draft Study” folder and click on “Comment Now” to access the online form.
For those who would like to send their comments via postal mail, submissions can be sent to the following mailing address:
Alesha Cerny
Attn: American Beach Study
National Park Service
100 Alabama Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Comments must be submitted either online or be postmarked for Sept. 7 to be accepted.
