The way we were … on Centre Street

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter - News Analyst

January 5, 2016 1:25 p.m.

Old postcard dated 1915 from the Florida Photographic Archives. Note the street light, utility poles, trolley tracks and awnings on commercial buildings.  Courthouse steeple may be seen at rear of photo.

Two of our recent Fernandina Observer posts featured old photos of the Fernandina waterfront. We captured the attention of lots of folks new to the community, as well as those whose memories of times past were jogged by the photos.

Thanks to contributions from a reader and the Florida Department of Commerce photo collection available on the website www.FloridaMemory.com, this article will feature  black-and-white views of Centre Street taken in 1972 by photographer Karl Holland.

As you peruse the photos, look at the mix of businesses. At that time, Centre Street was truly the downtown shopping district for the city, with names like Sears and Food Fair denoting the businesses that provided for residents’ daily needs. As the island has developed, those businesses have been replaced by businesses that seem to hold greater appeal for our visitors. Grocery stores, dry goods stores, and furniture stores are now located along Sadler Road, 14^th Street or increasingly, along A1A in Yulee.

Also note how wide Centre Street was prior to the 1978 makeover. You will be surprised to see traffic lights, overhead wires and even parking meters along the street as well.

As always, we welcome your comments. If you are interested in more old photos, please consult the Florida Memory Project or our own Amelia Island Museum of History photo archives www.AmeliaMuseum.org.

Enjoy this walk along Memory Lane!

Reader Patrick Higgins contributed the two aerial photos below, allowing for a comparison between Centre Street in 1943 and 1960.

1943 aerial shot of Centre Street and the waterfront

Aerial photo of Centre Street and waterfront taken in the fall of 1960

The following photos present Center Street in the 1970's from street view.

Looking east. Note the wide street.

The Duryee Building and the Marina Restaurant. The Marina is one of the few remaining businesses today in its original location.

Across from the Marina Restaurant, this shot includes businesses between the train depot and 2nd Street.

Here are the Palace Saloon and the Chandlery Building.

Another view of the Chandlery Building.  Note the single story building that once sat where today we enjoy a pocket park.

Today's Southern Touch abuts what was then Allen's Department Store.

Note the traffic light at the intersection of 4th and Centre in front of the Post Office and looking west toward the Swann Building.

This shot was taken from the courthouse looking east on Centre between 5th Street and the Methodist Church.

Waas Drug Store at the corner of 6th and Centre Streets.

The antique market was once a large grocery store.

Note the stand of trees that once stood across 5th Street from the Courthouse.

The Badcock furniture store on the corner of 7th and Centre Streets.

If you have additional older photos that you would like to share of Centre Street, the waterfront, or other interesting parts of town, please contact me at suanne@fernandinaobserver.com.