Park #127 – Fernandina Plaza Historic State Park

Fernandina Plaza Historic State Park just north of Jacksonville is just a small little square of land on a hill overlooking the Amelia River. There isn’t much here now, but the land has a played an important part in Florida’s history, having once been the site of Fort San Carlos.

Much of the land is now gone due to erosion, but the hillside location offers fantastic views of Amelia river. There is also an old captain’s home across the street that is a great example of old Florida architecture.

It was an overcast day on our visit, and I painted the view down to an old fish shack on a little point that juts out to the river. Usually we see a shrimp boat parked here, but not on this day.

We visited this park earlier in the year. While looking online so I could post a link to the state park’s website, I just saw that the old captains house has been painted a greenish color and that pretty palm tree is now dead! Things sure can change quickly! Just another example of why I like to paint plein air – what is here today, can be gone tomorrow!

Fernandina Plaza View – 8×10″ oil on linen panel

Park sign

Canon

Fish Shack on the river

Fort San Carlos sign

Old Captain’s House

Plaza San Carlos sign

Painting in progress