Atlantic Beach

In 1899, wealthy developer Henry Flagler decided to create a seasonal playground for his well-to-do friends in what is now Atlantic Beach. The centerpiece of the community was the Continental Hotel which, at the time, was one of the largest wooden buildings in the South. By the time the Continental burned to the ground in 1919, Atlantic Beach had a core of year-round inhabitants. With the opening of the Mayport Naval Station in the 1940s and the construction of the Matthews Bridge in the mid 1950s, the area began to draw large numbers of residents who either worked at the station or commuted via the bridge into Jacksonville.

Today, Atlantic Beach's tree-lined streets are primarily residential with funky old beach cottages juxtaposed with rambling new mansions. Although the beach and water sports are the primary attractions for its citizens, Atlantic Beach has some of Northeast Florida’s liveliest nightspots, great restaurants and funky boutiques and shops. The newly renovated Town Center is also popular with locals who frequent its various stores and restaurants.

In 1998, Atlantic Beach, in a joint venture with the City of Jacksonville, acquired a twenty-seven acre island known as Dutton Island Preserve. The island has trails, a floating dock for launching kayaks and canoes, a fishing pier, camping sites and pavilions. In addition, Atlantic residents have access to the Intracoastal Waterway marshes and the maritime woods of Hanna Park.