Architectural Treasures of Amelia Island

Architectural Treasures of Amelia Island

Amelia Island offers a unique opportunity to experience history. Fernandina Beach's Historic District is a living museum. Like sleeping beauties, the island's Victorian-era homes have been frozen in time. Each offers a story about the people and events that shaped the history of Florida's northernmost barrier island.

Once a month, we will feature a home located in Fernandina Beach’s Historic District.

The Steamboat House — a historic district gem

The Rutishauser house, located on South 10th Street, is known as the Steamboat House because of its distinctive Mississippi steamboat architecture. The name may originate from the importance of steamships to Fernandina’s economy in the late 19th century, during the island’s Golden Age. The house has a charming Southern feel with its two-story gallery, five bay windows, spindlework, and brackets. The roadside stepping stone for those disembarking carriages remains.

The house was built in 1883 by Edward Bell from Wheeling, West Virginia. He was not related to the island’s more famous Bell brothers, who were island ship builders who built many island homes, including the Beech Street Grill. 

It later belonged to J.J. Rutishauser, operator of one of the many saloons in Fernandina, who operated a bottling works and was an agent for Anheuser-Busch. He was a prominent figure in the business community. He was the manager of Acme Bottling Works, which produced soft drinks and soda water. Antique green bottles embossed with J.J. Rutishauser are considered collectors’ items.

Fires plagued the island for many years and Rutishauser became the island’s first Assistant Fire Chief in 1900. Fires in 1876 and 1883 destroyed much of the town, prompting the town to require that all new buildings be constructed of brick. This shaped the classic look of the current historic district.

The house is one of many in the historic district that enjoys an abundance of ancient oak trees, some of the oldest on Amelia Island. Some of the grand old trees in the historic district are older than the Victorian houses they shade so gracefully. The house has been a popular set for movies filmed on Amelia Island. The elegant live oak is a predictable icon of the South. Add Spanish moss, and you have the perfect prop for a Southern Gothic classic. The 2004 remake of "The Manchurian Candidate" used the house in the film. The movie starred Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep, and Jon Voight. The filmmakers insisted that some of the Spanish moss be removed for filming. The property owners insisted that the moss be returned to the ancient oaks after filming.

The property was extensively renovated in 2002, retaining features such as high ceilings and the original pine flooring, and was converted into a law office. It is currently a private residence.